Nigerian Navy personnel have uncovered another attempt by suspected illegal refiners to revive their operations in Egbema-Ndoni, Rivers State, recovering about 33,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.
The latest raid, carried out on Sunday, September 6, 2026, is significant because it came barely days after the Navy disrupted two illegal refining sites in the same area on August 28.
During the latest operation along Ndoni Community Road, naval personnel destroyed two illegal refining sites and discovered eight dug-out pits, sacks and reservoirs linked to the illicit activities. About 33,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO were also recovered.
The development points to an ongoing cat-and-mouse battle in the area, where operators are attempting to return to sites previously disrupted by security forces.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the latest intervention was part of sustained efforts to prevent illegal refiners from re-establishing and maintaining their activities in the area.
According to him, the suspected operators fled before the arrival of the naval team, resulting in no arrests.
Photos released from the operation showed dark liquid suspected to be AGO in polythene-lined pits, with oil stains visible around the sites. GPS data attached to the photographs placed the location within Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State, although the Navy identified the operation area as Egbema-Ndoni in Rivers State.
The recovered products and affected sites were subsequently handled in line with established procedures, the Navy said.
Repeated disruption of the sites has become a key part of the Navy’s effort to constrain operators from rebuilding their illegal refining networks, with the latest operation showing that the challenge is not only discovering the sites but preventing their return.
