The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has dismantled five illegal oil refining sites in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, in a major crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering operations.
Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, Commander of the NNS Pathfinder, confirmed the operation in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday night in Port Harcourt.
The operation, carried out on June 14, 2025, was led by the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron of NNS Pathfinder based on actionable intelligence.
“On 14 June 2025, the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder successfully conducted an operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area,” Commodore Aniaku said.
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The statement said the operatives discovered and destroyed 62 illegal refining ovens, 21 reservoirs, 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.
The navy reported that no suspects were apprehended, as the perpetrators fled the scene upon sighting the patrol team.
“The products were handled in line with standard anti-crude oil theft procedures,” Commodore Aniaku added, noting the ongoing commitment of the navy to eradicating oil-related crimes.
He reaffirmed the resolve of the navy, under the leadership of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to clamp down on activities that threaten Nigeria’s economic and energy security.
The operation highlights the persistent challenge of oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, which continues to undermine national revenue and environmental safety.
The navy has intensified its surveillance and operations across key waterways in the region in recent months.
