The Nigerian Navy, under the NNS Pathfinder, has discovered an illegal crude oil refinery capable of producing up to 2 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) daily.
This significant operation took place near Ogoloma, along the Bakana River in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The discovery aligns with the directive issued by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to eradicate all illegal crude oil refining activities within the state. The site was uncovered following extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance efforts, revealing a sophisticated operation where stolen crude oil was being refined into AGO and other by-products using large drums.
Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, who led the operation, disclosed that the site had already produced over 2 million litres of illegally refined petroleum products. The ongoing operation has resulted in the destruction of more than 500 drums, each containing over 200 litres of illegal AGO.
Commodore Aniaku emphasized that the Navy remains committed to eliminating all illegal refining activities in the area, urging those involved in oil theft to cease their activities immediately. He warned that the Navy will intensify its efforts and will not spare any illegal operators.
“In line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive, we are here in the Ogoloma area, where we have discovered a massive illegal refining site,” Aniaku stated. “Our personnel moved in with swamp buggies after several days of intelligence and surveillance efforts. The oil thieves have shifted from using traditional metal pans to using drums for refining, which they find cheaper to construct and easier to dismantle.”
He continued, “This site is capable of producing 2 million litres of illegally refined AGO daily. We will not rest until all such sites are destroyed. The operation is ongoing, and this is just one of many sites we plan to target. The oil thieves should be aware that we are intensifying our efforts and will not spare anyone involved in these illegal activities.”
The Nigerian Navy’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal oil refining are part of a broader strategy to safeguard the nation’s resources and ensure the integrity of its oil production industry. In related news, 7 suspects were arrested for illegally mining raw gold in Ogun State.
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