From Philip Nwosu
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has successfully concluded an operation targeting crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of Rivers State, dismantling nine illegal refining sites and seizing large quantities of suspected stolen petroleum products.
In a statement issued by the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, the Navy disclosed that the operation led to the destruction of 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits used for illegal refining activities.
The illegal sites were reportedly found to contain approximately 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 33,000 litres of kerosene.
Commodore Aniaku stated: “The Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER successfully concluded operations against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area. Acting on credible intelligence, the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team deployed personnel and assets to carry out the operation.”
The Navy team also discovered two oil wellheads illegally connected with pipes for siphoning crude oil. These connections were dismantled alongside the illegal refining sites.
Although no arrests were made during the operation, the Navy said the perpetrators fled upon sighting the patrol team.
“The products were handled in accordance with anti-crude oil theft procedures,” Aniaku added. “The Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remains fully committed to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, which continue to pose a grave threat to Nigeria’s economy and energy security.”
The Navy reiterated its resolve to intensify surveillance and enforcement in the Niger Delta region to disrupt illegal oil operations and protect national assets.