The Nigerian Navy has dismantled two illegal refining sites in Rivers State and recovered about 33,000 litres of illegally refined product, suspected to be automotive gas oil (AGO), also known as diesel.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in an operational report made available on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Folorunsho explained that the operation was carried out by the 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 the recovered products were handled in line with established procedures, adding that no arrests were made because the suspected operators had fled before the naval team arrived.

“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.

(NAN)