Navy Uncovers Illegal Refinery In Rivers

The Nigerian Navy discovered an illegal refinery on the Isaka/Ogoloma River in Rivers State that could produce over two million litres of automotive gasoline oil (AGO) per day.

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder carried out the operation, which involved the destruction of over 500 crude oil cooking drums using a swamp buggy, in accordance with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to eliminate oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.

The illegal refinery, which had a pipeline connected to a nearby oil wellhead maintained by Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, was utilised by suspected oil thieves to extract crude oil for processing.

The location was discovered following significant intelligence and monitoring efforts by the Navy.

The commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, said that the oil thieves used drums to convert stolen crude oil into AGO and other by-products.

This technology was advantageous due to the ease with which the drums could be assembled and disassembled. So far, the ongoing operation has demolished over 500 drums, as well as multiple dug-out pits and ovens, all capable of creating over “two hundred million square od AGO (fuel) daily”.

Commodore Aniaku admonished anyone engaged in unlawful refining activities, emphasising the Navy’s continued commitment to protecting the nation’s key infrastructure.

He said: “In line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive to clear all illegal refining sites, we discovered a massive illegal refining site in the Ogoloma area.

“Our personnel moved in with a swamp buggy and found that the oil thieves had shifted from using large metal pans to drums, which are cheaper and easier to hide.

“This operation is ongoing, and we will not relent in our efforts to destroy these illegal sites.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli