The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, dismantling nine illegal refining sites and seizing approximately 173,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in Rivers State.
The operation, conducted on May 12 by the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, uncovered 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 33,000 litres of kerosene.
NNS Pathfinder Commander, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, confirmed the discovery of 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits at the sites. He also disclosed that two wellheads, technically connected with pipes used for siphoning crude oil, were found and disabled during the operation.
The Navy said the effort marks a major stride in its ongoing mission to eradicate oil-related crimes in the Niger Delta.
