The Nigerian Navy says it has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site in the Bonny area of Rivers State as part of ongoing operations to curb crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
The Director of Naval Information, A.A. Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement noting that the operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel following the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas.
According to him, personnel of the Nigerian Navy attached to the Forward Operating Base Bonny uncovered concealed dug-out pits hidden beneath thick vegetation within creeks around the Opotumbi general area while leveraging the Navy’s maritime surveillance technology.
He explained that the naval team swiftly moved to the location and discovered four dug-out pits containing about 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“The recovered products were subsequently destroyed in line with extant operational guidelines,” he said.
Folorunsho noted that the operation demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s renewed momentum in tackling crude oil theft and other maritime crimes through sustained patrols, enhanced surveillance, and collaboration with other security agencies.
He added that the efforts are aimed at safeguarding critical national assets and protecting Nigeria’s economic interests within the country’s maritime domain.
