The Nigerian Navy has dismantled two illegal refining sites in Rivers and recovered about 33,000 litres of illegally refined product, suspected to be automotive gas oil.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho disclosed this in an operational report, made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
Folorunsho explained that the operation was carried out by Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder on Sunday, leading to the discovery of eight dugout pits, sacks, and reservoirs associated with the illegal refining activities.
He added that the clampdown was a result of the intensified pressure on illegal refining networks by the service in Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said that the recovered products were handled in line with established procedures, adding that no arrests were made as the suspected operators had fled before the arrival of the naval team.
“Following earlier interventions, including the disruption of two illegal refining sites on Aug. 28, the latest action is significant against the backdrop of repeated attempts to revive illegal refining in the area,
“This continued naval pressure is constraining the ability of operators to re-establish and sustain illicit refining activities,” he said.
