By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on illegal oil refining in Rivers State, disrupting two illegal refining sites and recovering approximately 33,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
The operation, conducted on September 6, 2026, by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, also uncovered eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs reportedly used in the illicit refining activities.
The suspected operators, however, fled the area before the arrival of the naval team, with no arrest made during the operation.
The latest raid is part of sustained naval efforts to prevent illegal refiners in the area from rebuilding their operations after previous enforcement actions.
According to the Nigerian Navy, the latest intervention followed an earlier operation on August 28, 2026, during which two illegal refining sites were also disrupted.
The Navy said the continued pressure on the operators was constraining their ability to re-establish and sustain illegal refining activities in the area.
It added that the sites and recovered products had been handled in line with established procedures.
The latest operation further underscores the Navy’s ongoing efforts to disrupt illicit refining activities and prevent the illegal processing of petroleum products from taking root in affected communities.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy