Major Victory Against Oil Theft: Navy Crushes 5 Illegal Refineries in Rivers State
Nigerian Navy Shi Pathfinder dismantled five illegal oil refining sites in Rivers State, seizing 153,000 liters of stolen crude, diesel, and kerosene during a June 14 operation against oil theft.
Enet
The Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder announced that its crew has destroyed five illegal oil refining sites in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of Rivers State.
The navy said these sites were used for large-scale illegal bunkering. They had 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs, and 55 pits filled with about 50,000 liters of suspected stolen crude oil.
The sites also held 83,000 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 20,000 liters of refined kerosene. Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, the commander of NNS Pathfinder, shared this information in a statement sent to the media in Port Harcourt on Sunday night.
Aniaku explained that the operation happened on June 14, 2025, carried out by the ship’s Tactical Team during a crackdown on oil theft and illegal bunkering. The statement said, “On June 14, 2025, NNS Pathfinder launched an operation targeting crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area.
Also Read: 5 Killed, 92 Injured in Iran’s Latest Missile Strikes on Israel, MDA Confirms
The Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron, acting on reliable intelligence, sent personnel and equipment to fight illegal activities in the region. During the operation, they found a new illegal refining site.
They identified and shut down five such sites, discovering 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs, and 55 pits with roughly 50,000 liters of stolen crude. They also found 83,000 liters of suspected illegal Automotive Gas Oil and 20,000 liters of kerosene.
The stolen products were handled according to anti-crude theft procedures. No arrests were made because the suspects escaped when they saw the patrol team.
Aniaku said the navy, led by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remains dedicated to fighting oil theft and illegal bunkering. These crimes threaten Nigeria’s economy and energy supply, and the navy continues working to stop them.
