Navy destroys illegal facility with17,500 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Navy said it has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site containing about 17,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in the Bonny area of Rivers.

The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel.

Folorunsho said the action followed directives by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify efforts against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering across the nation’s maritime domain.

He said personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny uncovered the illegal storage facility within the Opotumbi general area during surveillance operations.

He explained that the discovery was made possible through Navy’s maritime surveillance technology which detected concealed dugout pits hidden under thick vegetation in the creeks.

He added that “FOB Bonny elements moved swiftly to the site and discovered four dugout pits containing a cumulative 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.

“The recovered products were subsequently destroyed in accordance with extant operational guidelines.”

Folorunsho said the operation demonstrated Navy’s renewed momentum in tackling crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.

He added that the service would continue to sustain patrols, enhance surveillance and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to protect critical national assets and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests within the maritime environment.

(NAN)