Illegal oil refiners operating in Rivers State have suffered another setback after a Nigerian Navy operation uncovered two refining locations and recovered about 33,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The operation, conducted on Sunday, September 6, by personnel of NNS PATHFINDER in Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, is the latest in a series of raids aimed at preventing operators from rebuilding their illicit refining networks.

The naval team discovered eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs believed to have been used in the processing and storage of illegally refined petroleum products. The findings indicated that the sites were still being utilised despite previous security interventions in the area.

However, the suspected operators escaped before the arrival of the naval personnel, leaving behind the products and equipment. No arrest was consequently recorded during the operation.

Director Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the recovered products and affected sites were handled in accordance with established procedures, without providing further details on their final disposition.

The latest operation also underscores the sustained pressure being mounted on illegal refining activities in the oil-producing region, where criminal operators have repeatedly attempted to return to abandoned or previously dismantled refining locations.

The Navy had on August 28 disrupted two other illegal refining sites in the same area, indicating that the security operation is increasingly focused not only on individual discoveries but also on frustrating attempts to revive illicit refining networks.