The Nigerian Navy has confiscated 17,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and dismantled an illegal refining site in the Niger Delta as part of its ongoing crackdown on oil theft in the region.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Navy’s Director of Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, in an official statement.
According to him, the operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel following directives from the Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, to intensify the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.
Folorunsho explained that the raid took place within the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny operational area in Rivers State after naval operatives monitored suspected oil theft activities for several weeks.
Using maritime surveillance technology, the naval team discovered concealed dugout pits hidden under thick vegetation in creeks around the Opotumbi area. The pits were reportedly used for storing illegally refined petroleum products.
The seized crude oil and related materials were subsequently destroyed in line with the Navy’s operational procedures.
Folorunsho stated that the operation highlights the Navy’s renewed determination to tackle crude oil theft and other maritime crimes in the Niger Delta.
