In a recent operation in Rivers State’s Ogba-Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, the Nigerian Navy Ship NNS Pathfinder’s crew smashed five illicit oil refining facilities.
It was discovered that the locations, which were allegedly utilised for extensive illegal bunkering, had 55 dugout pits, 21 reservoirs, and 62 ovens.
According to Navy estimates, the sites included some 200,000 litres of illegally processed kerosene, 83,000 litres of illegally refined diesel (Automotive Gas Oil) and 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, the commander of NNS Pathfinder, issued a statement confirming the action.
Aniaku clarified that the ship’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team was responsible for the June 14, 2025, raid.
In response to reliable intelligence, he said, the team sent troops and resources to the region, where they discovered a recently reactivated illicit refining camp inside the local government.
According to him, the seized goods were treated in line with the Navy’s established protocols for dealing with oil theft.
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But according to Aniaku, no suspects were caught since the operators left the area when they saw the naval patrol.
Commodore Aniaku reiterated the Navy’s dedication to the continuous battle against illicit refining and crude oil theft.
He highlighted that the Navy is steadfastly committed to addressing threats to Nigeria’s economic and energy infrastructure, led by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff.
