Navy destroys one million litre capacity Illegal Refinery in Rivers

Navy destroys one million litre capacity Illegal Refinery in Rivers

 

Operatives from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder have taken decisive action by dismantling an illicit oil refining facility concealed within the remote creeks of Degema Local Government Area in Rivers State.

During an on-site tour conducted for the press on Wednesday, Commodore Desmond Igbo, the Commander of the NNS Pathfinder, estimated the refining plant’s capacity to exceed one million liters. He provided insight into the extensive operation, revealing how the illicit facility illicitly siphoned crude oil from the wellhead to their unauthorized reservoir.

He explained, “This location belongs to NNPC, specifically OML-18, managed by NNPC and Sahara. These criminals rigged a hose, nearly 18 inches in diameter, right from the oil wellhead to this illegal refinery, where they process it. Such actions amount to economic sabotage against the Nigerian economy.”

Commander Igbo underscored the importance of garnering the support of local communities in the fight against such illicit activities, although no arrests have been made at this stage.

Expressing concern about the participation of young individuals in these illegal oil operations, Igbo appealed to paramount chiefs and local leaders in the area to intervene and discourage their youths from engaging in these unlawful activities.

He stated, “When we arrive with our gunboats, they flee. However, we remain determined to track them down and uncover those who are backing them. Their activities are unlikely to occur without influential figures supporting them. We will employ our intelligence capabilities to identify and hold accountable those responsible for sponsoring these operations.”

The dismantling of the unauthorized tanks was accomplished with the assistance of a swamp buggy, and the illicit hose used for these operations was securely clamped by technicians.

 

The battle against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta continues to be a persistent struggle between security forces and those engaged in undermining the nation’s economic stability.