By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
In a renewed clampdown on oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Navy has destroyed nine makeshift refineries and intercepted over 175,000 litres of stolen crude and refined petroleum products in Rivers State.
The operation, carried out on May 12 by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, targeted illegal refining camps in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, disclosed the details in a statement issued Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the raid uncovered an extensive network of illicit refining equipment, including 45 crude oil ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits. These facilities held an estimated 60,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of illegally refined diesel (Automotive Gas Oil), and 33,000 litres of kerosene.
“Our Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team acted on credible intelligence and moved swiftly into the area,” Aniaku said. “They uncovered two illegally tapped wellheads connected to pipes used by oil thieves to siphon crude oil directly from the source.”
The illegal sites were subsequently dismantled and the products destroyed in line with standard anti-crude oil theft procedures. While no arrests were made during the operation, the Navy said the operators fled on sighting the patrol team.
Aniaku praised the courage and professionalism of the personnel involved, stating that the Navy remains resolute in its mission to protect Nigeria’s oil assets.
“This is a clear message to those sabotaging our economy,” he said. “Under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy is intensifying efforts to disrupt the operations of oil thieves and secure our maritime domain.”
Crude oil theft and illegal refining have long been challenges in the Niger Delta, costing Nigeria billions in lost revenue annually. The Navy’s latest action adds to ongoing efforts to dismantle the illegal supply chain and restore control over the nation’s oil resources.