Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
The Nigerian Navy has recorded significant gains in the fight against crude oil theft, dismantling illegal refining sites and disrupting criminal networks across Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Naval authorities say the operations, carried out by NNS Pathfinder and NNS Soroh, were based on credible intelligence and targeted key hotspots known for illicit activities.
In Rivers State, naval personnel stormed illegal refining camps in the Ahoada West area, where they uncovered five sites around the Egboama-Ogbogolo community.
The camps contained dug-out pits, storage facilities, and reservoirs holding tens of thousands of litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined diesel.
The Navy says the products were being siphoned from a nearby wellhead, though the operator could not be immediately identified. All illegal structures and products were destroyed in line with operational procedures, while suspects fled before troops arrived.
In a separate operation in Bayelsa State, naval personnel intercepted equipment used for pipeline vandalism near the Soku Gas Plant corridor.
Recovered items included hoses, pipes, and containers believed to be used for siphoning petroleum products. No arrests were made, as suspects reportedly escaped before security forces got to the scene.
The Nigerian Navy says the operations highlight its continued resolve to clamp down on oil theft and protect the nation’s critical assets.
Efforts are ongoing to track down those responsible and dismantle wider criminal networks.