The Nigerian Navy is making significant strides in its fight against crude oil theft. Recently, operatives from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder successfully shut down five massive illegal refining sites in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.
These sites were hotbeds of illegal bunkering, equipped with a staggering 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs, and 55 dugout pits. Together, they held an estimated 50,000 liters of suspected stolen crude oil, along with 83,000 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 20,000 liters of illegally refined kerosene.
The operation took place on June 14, 2025, led by NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team following a tip-off from credible intelligence. Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, confirmed that while the illicit products were handled according to anti-crude oil theft procedures, no arrests were made as the individuals involved fled the scene when they spotted the patrol team.
Commodore Aniaku stressed the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering. He highlighted that these criminal activities pose a serious threat to the nation’s economy and energy security. Under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Navy remains dedicated to protecting Nigeria’s vital oil resources.
