Nigerian Navy Recovers 39,500 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude in Rivers

By Zainab Uzomah | Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has recovered about 39,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil after dismantling an illegal crude oil storage network in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore (formerly Navy Captain) Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny carried out the operation following credible intelligence on crude oil theft activities around Okpokiri Community within the base’s area of operations.

According to the statement, the FOB Bonny Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team conducted a detailed ground operation which led to the discovery of four concealed dugout pits hidden within the creek environment and used for the illegal storage of stolen crude oil.

The Navy said one of the pits was large, measuring approximately 7.5 metres in length, 7 metres in breadth and 3 metres in depth, while the remaining three measured about 5.5 metres in length, 5.5 metres in breadth and 3 metres in depth each.

It said three of the dugout pits contained an estimated 39,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while the fourth pit was filled with water.

According to the Navy, the discovery highlights the continued use of concealed storage facilities by crude oil theft syndicates to stockpile stolen crude oil before transporting it through illegal distribution channels.

The service said the illegal storage site and the recovered products were handled in accordance with established operational procedures, while surveillance had been intensified in the area to prevent the re-establishment of similar facilities.

The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle crude oil theft networks, safeguard critical national assets and support Nigeria’s economic security.