The Nigerian Navy has sustained its offensive against crude oil theft under Operation Delta Sentinel, uncovering an illegal crude oil storage network and recovering about 39,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Bonny Local Council of Rivers State.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, following credible intelligence on illegal activities around Okpokiri Community within the base’s area of operations.

Acting on the intelligence, the Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team uncovered suspicious dugout pits concealed within the creek environment, prompting a detailed ground assessment.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said in a statement yesterday that 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 filled with water.

“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.

“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.

“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,” he added. (The Guardian)

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