By Zakaa Lazarus
The Nigerian Navy says it has uncovered and deactivated an illegal crude oil storage site containing an estimated 93,000 litres of suspected stolen product in Allison Community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation, conducted on August 20, 2026, by personnel of the Forward Operating Base, FOB Bonny, was carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Navy’s ongoing campaign against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the raid followed actionable intelligence on suspected illegal storage activities in the area.
“During the operation, 10 dugout pits were discovered. Five of the pits contained an estimated 93,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, while the remaining five were filled with water. A substantial quantity of hoses used for the movement and transfer of crude oil was also recovered,” Folorunsho stated.
He added that the recovered products, dugout pits and other materials were handled in line with established operational procedures.
The Navy said the action successfully disrupted the activities of oil thieves and denied criminal elements access to facilities used to sustain the illicit trade.
“The latest success underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained operational pressure against infrastructure supporting crude oil theft in the Niger Delta,” the statement read. “It further demonstrates the Service’s commitment to identifying and dismantling networks that facilitate the illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources.”
The Navy reaffirmed its resolve to sustain Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical national assets, safeguard oil and gas infrastructure, and deny economic saboteurs freedom to operate within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
