By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian Navy has sustained its offensive against crude oil theft under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, disrupting an illegal crude oil storage network and recovering approximately 39,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to a statement issued by the Director Naval Information, Navy Captain ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO,
the operation was conducted by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny following credible intelligence on illegal activities around Okpokiri Community within the Base’s Area of Operations.
He said troops acting on credible intelligence, the Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team deployed uncovered suspicious dugout pits concealed within the creek environment, prompting a detailed ground assessment by the patrol team.
According to him, the operation led to the discovery of four dugout pits comprising one large and three medium-sized pits. Three of the pits contained an estimated cumulative volume of 39,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while the fourth pit was found filled with water.
He said the discovery highlights the continued use of concealed storage facilities by crude oil theft syndicates to stockpile stolen crude pending evacuation through illegal distribution channels. By targeting these storage nodes, the Nigerian Navy continues to degrade the logistics architecture sustaining crude oil theft across the Niger Delta.
According to the statement, the illegal storage site and recovered products were handled in accordance with established operational procedures, while surveillance of the general area has been intensified to prevent the re-establishment of similar facilities.
Captain Abiodun said the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle crude oil theft networks, protect critical national assets, and support Nigeria’s economic security.
