The Nigerian Navy has uncovered and dismantled an illegal crude oil storage facility in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering about 20,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil during the operation.
The discovery was made by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under the ongoing Operation DELTA SENTINEL, following credible intelligence, according to the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Folorunsho said the naval team conducted a targeted raid around the Bethel Community axis, where they uncovered a network of concealed dugout pits used for storing illegally sourced crude oil.
He disclosed that six dugout pits were discovered at the site. Three of the pits contained approximately 20,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the remaining three had already been prepared for future storage.
According to him, the arrangement of the facility indicated it was an organised logistics hub designed to support illegal refining operations and other forms of crude oil theft.
Folorunsho said the illegal storage site and the recovered products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, effectively preventing criminals from using the location as a base for illicit operations.
He noted that the successful operation reflects the Nigerian Navy’s determination to combat economic sabotage and protect the nation’s oil and gas assets.
The naval spokesperson explained that the Navy’s strategy goes beyond intercepting stolen petroleum products in transit, focusing instead on dismantling the infrastructure that sustains crude oil theft.
“By destroying storage facilities and disrupting supply chains, we are reducing the operational capacity of criminal networks engaged in crude oil theft,” he said.
Folorunsho also warned individuals involved in illegal oil-related activities to abandon such ventures, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, aimed at curbing crude oil theft, protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment, and strengthening the country’s economic security.
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