Navy Dismantles Illegal Refineries in Rivers State

The Nigerian Navy has successfully dismantled two reactivated illegal refining sites in Rivers State, recovering more than 126,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). This operation was conducted by personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in the Egbema axis of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

The operation was part of a renewed crackdown on crude oil theft, following intelligence that oil theft syndicates had resumed activities at previously destroyed sites. Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director of Naval Information, reported that approximately 76,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 50,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO were concealed in seven dugout pits and reservoirs.

The refining camps had been dismantled on July 10 but were reactivated, prompting the Navy to conduct sustained surveillance leading to their rediscovery and destruction. Folorunsho reaffirmed the Navy's commitment to intelligence-driven operations to combat crude oil theft and protect Nigeria's oil and gas assets.