The Nigerian Navy has uncovered about 182,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil in Bethel Creeks, Rivers State, in a fresh crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal storage activities.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the discovery was made on September 22 by Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny during a follow-up operation based on actionable intelligence on suspicious activities in the area.
The latest seizure comes barely two weeks after FOB Bonny uncovered about 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at four newly activated illegal refining sites in Aworkiri on September 8. That operation also exposed 19 dugout pits and other infrastructure used for the storage and handling of stolen crude oil.
According to the Navy, the operation uncovered eight dugout pits, five of which contained the suspected stolen crude oil, while three were empty. Hoses linked to the movement of crude oil were also discovered and handled in line with established procedures.
The Navy said the successive discoveries underscore its sustained efforts to dismantle the storage and transfer infrastructure that supports crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
