Navy Destroys Nine Illegal Refining Sites In Rivers
Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship, Pathfinder, have destroyed nine illegal refining sites housing 175,000 litres of stolen products in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Navy said the sites had 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits containing approximately 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, and 33,000 litres of kerosene.
It said the destruction took place during an operation in the area on May 12, listing some of the products at the site to include crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (also known as diesel), and kerosene.
The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, disclosed this in a statement he personally signed in Port Harcourt on Tuesday night.
Aniaku said the feat was part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts in the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering. He revealed that the NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team also uncovered two wellheads technically connected with pipes used by oil thieves to siphon crude oil to their camps.
Aniaku commended the personnel for their bravery, noting that the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (Admiralty Medal), remains committed to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, which he said pose significant come threats to the nation’s economy and energy security.
