Port Harcourt, Rivers State – In a significant blow against illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Pathfinder) have successfully deactivated five illegal refining sites and confiscated over 153,000 liters of stolen petroleum products in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The robust operation, conducted on June 14, 2025, underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding national economic and energy security.
Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, disclosed in a statement from Port Harcourt that the targeted illegal refining sites, notorious for extensive illicit bunkering activities in the area, comprised 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs, and 55 dugout pits. These contained approximately 50,000 liters of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 20,000 liters of illegally refined kerosene.
The successful operation was executed by NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team, acting on credible intelligence. “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,” Commodore Aniaku stated. “During the operation, the team discovered a newly activated illegal refining site.”
He confirmed that all seized products were handled in strict accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures. While the perpetrators managed to flee upon sighting the patrol team, no arrests were made at the scene.
Commodore Aniaku reiterated that the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, remains steadfast in its resolve to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering. These illicit activities pose severe threats to Nigeria’s economy and its energy security, necessitating continuous and decisive action.
