By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site in the Bonny area of Rivers State as part of ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
The operation was carried out under the Navy’s anti-crude oil theft campaign, Operation Delta Sentinel, following directives from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Captain A. A. Folorunsho, personnel of the Forward Operating Base Bonny uncovered concealed dugout pits used for storing suspected stolen crude oil within creeks around the Opotumbi general area.
The discovery was made possible through the deployment of the Nigerian Navy’s maritime surveillance technology, which enabled the detection of the hidden pits located beneath thick vegetation within the creek environment.
Naval personnel from the base swiftly moved to the site, where they discovered four dugout pits containing an estimated 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil. The recovered products were subsequently destroyed in line with existing operational guidelines.
The Navy noted that the operation reflects its renewed momentum in the fight against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes that threaten Nigeria’s economic stability.
It added that the Service will continue to intensify patrols, strengthen surveillance capabilities and deepen collaboration with other security agencies to safeguard critical national assets and protect Nigeria’s maritime environment.
