The Nigerian Navy has recovered approximately 24,000 litres of a product suspected to be stolen crude oil during an operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The recovery was made by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation Delta Sentinel, following credible intelligence about suspected attempts by criminal elements to establish illegal connections to oil infrastructure around the Bethel Community axis.

According to the Navy, “The operation led to the discovery of an illegal refining site, 2 pits containing approximately 24,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, as well as extensive hoses believed to have been installed in furtherance of crude oil theft activities.” The Navy said the illegal facilities and associated materials were subsequently handled in accordance with existing regulations.

It added: “The successful operation disrupted an emerging crude oil theft network before it could become fully operational, further denying economic saboteurs the infrastructure required to sustain illicit activities and inflict economic losses on the nation.” In a separate operation in Rivers State, the Navy also intercepted approximately 17,000 litres of a product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, said the interception was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder during ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations within its area of responsibility. “The operation led to the interception of a speedboat conveying the suspected illegally refined petroleum product along the Onne/Okrika waterways,” Folorunsho said.

He added that the recovered speedboat and suspected illegally refined AGO were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, while efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend those connected with the activity.

“The latest operational success further demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to disrupting the illicit petroleum supply chain, denying economic saboteurs freedom of action and protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure from criminal exploitation,” he said. The Navy said it remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to combat crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.

“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to combat crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage, while safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and supporting national economic security,” the Navy said.