Operatives of the Nigerian Navy have dismantled an illegal crude oil storage facility uncovered within the operational area of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, in Rivers State.
The discovery was made during surveillance operations conducted by naval personnel in the Opotumbi general area as part of ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering across the Niger Delta.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed that the illegal site contained four dug-out pits used for storing petroleum products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
According to him, the pits held an estimated 17,500 litres of the product before the facility was dismantled by naval operatives.
Folorunsho in the statement explained that the operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel, a naval initiative designed to curb oil theft and other maritime crimes threatening Nigeria’s economic interests.
He noted that the renewed tempo of operations follows a directive from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, mandating naval formations to intensify actions against criminal networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.
The naval spokesperson said the personnel of FOB Bonny acted on the directive by conducting routine patrols and surveillance within their area of responsibility, which eventually led to the discovery of the illegal storage facility.
He added that the Navy remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and critical economic assets, warning individuals involved in oil theft and other illegal activities to desist.
Folorunsho further reiterated that the Nigerian Navy will continue to sustain operations across the Niger Delta in collaboration with other security agencies to disrupt illegal bunkering networks and protect the country’s oil resources.
