The Nigerian Navy has destroyed about 17,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil discovered at an illegal storage site in Rivers State.
The products were found at an illegal crude oil storage facility in the Bonny area of the state.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, March 13, noting that the operation was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel.
Folorunsho explained that the action followed directives from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He said personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, uncovered the illegal storage facility within the Opotumbi general area during routine surveillance operations.
According to him, the discovery was made possible through the Navy’s maritime surveillance technology, which detected concealed dugout pits hidden beneath thick vegetation in the creeks.
“FOB Bonny elements moved swiftly to the site and discovered four dugout pits containing a total of 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil,” Folorunsho said.
“The recovered products were subsequently destroyed in accordance with existing operational guidelines.”
He added that the operation reflects the Navy’s renewed commitment to combating crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.
Folorunsho further noted that the Navy would continue to sustain patrols, strengthen surveillance and enhance collaboration with other agencies to protect critical national assets and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests within the maritime domain.
