Navy Goes Tough on Oil Thieves; Dismantles 5 Illegal Refineries, 21 Reservoirs in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy says it has dismantled five illegal refining sites in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State in furtherance of its quest to deny oil thieves and economic saboteurs’ freedom of action and secure the nation’s economic interest.

Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Commodore Cajetan Aniaku disclosed this on Sunday, June 15, 2025, via a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to the statement, operatives of the NNS Pathfinder dismantled the sites, which were used for massive illegal bunkering activities in the area. 

He disclosed that the site had 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.

Cdre Aniaku disclosed that the successful operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the area was conducted by NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team.

“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.

“The NNS PATHFINDER’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team, acting on credible intelligence, deployed personnel and assets to conduct anti-crude oil theft and illegal bunkering operations within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area. During the operation, the Team discovered a newly activated illegal refining site.

“Accordingly, the team identified and dismantled 5 illegal refining sites with 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.

“The products were handled in accordance with anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrests were made as the perpetrators fled upon sighting the patrol team.”

Aniaku, however, restated that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remained committed to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, which pose significant threats to the nation’s economy and energy security.