BREAKING: Nigerian Navy Dismantles 9 Illegal Refineries, Seizes 173,000 Litres of Stolen Products in Rivers State

 

In a major victory against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in Nigeria’s oil-rich region, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has carried out a powerful operation that resulted in the complete dismantling of nine illegal refineries in Rivers State. This decisive move not only disrupted the operations of oil thieves but also led to the seizure of a staggering 173,000 litres of illegally acquired petroleum products.

The operation, which took place on May 12, 2025, was executed by the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team of NNS Pathfinder. This elite team launched a well-coordinated assault within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, a known hotspot for illegal oil refining and bunkering activities in Rivers State.

During the mission, naval personnel uncovered and destroyed nine active illegal refining camps, where oil thieves had been operating with impunity. These sites were fully equipped and running, with 45 metal ovens, 30 storage reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits used for processing and storing stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products. The scale of the operation clearly shows how deeply entrenched and sophisticated these illegal refining operations have become in the Niger Delta region.

According to official reports, the Nigerian Navy seized a massive total of 173,000 litres of products, broken down as follows:

• 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil

• 80,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel

• 33,000 litres of kerosene

What makes this bust even more significant is the discovery of two active oil wellheads that had been illegally tapped and connected with pipelines. These pipes were used by oil thieves to directly siphon crude oil from official supply lines into their hidden refineries—showing not just the scale of theft but also the technical sophistication of the operations.

The Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, confirmed the success of the operation in a press briefing. He detailed how the entire operation unfolded and highlighted the professionalism of the naval team that carried it out.

In his words:

“On 12 May 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.”

He continued by explaining how the Navy acted based on precise intelligence and executed the mission with tactical efficiency:

“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. During the operation, the team discovered two wellheads connected with pipes used for siphoning crude oil."

All seized products were treated following standard procedures for handling illegal petroleum products. However, there were no arrests made during the operation, as the perpetrators managed to flee the scene upon sighting the approaching naval patrol team.

Although the criminals escaped, Commodore Aniaku made it clear that the Navy remains undeterred and committed to wiping out oil theft in the region. He praised his team for their courage and effectiveness during the mission and reaffirmed the Navy's dedication to protecting Nigeria's economic interests.

He added:

“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.”

Commodore Aniaku also emphasized that the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral E. I. Ogalla (Admiralty Medal), is intensifying efforts to stop the menace of crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, which continues to cause massive losses to Nigeria’s economy and poses a serious threat to national energy security.

At NaijaRush, we applaud the efforts of the NNS Pathfinder and the Nigerian Navy for this bold and necessary operation. Crude oil theft not only affects government revenues but also damages the environment and deprives communities of economic development. Operations like this show that with strong intelligence, proper leadership, and relentless pursuit, the tide against oil theft can be turned.

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