Navy discovers illegal crude oil storage hub, recovers 20,500ltrs in Rivers
Abuja, July 2026 (TBL Africa) The Nigerian Navy has discovered and neutralised another illegal crude oil storage facility in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja said the operation was carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
According to Folorunsho, personnel acted on credible intelligence and conducted an operation around Bethel Community axis, where they uncovered a network of concealed dugout pits used for the storage of suspected stolen crude oil.
He said that the operation led to the discovery of six dugout pits, three of which contained approximately 20,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while the remaining pits had been prepared for storage.
“The site’s layout indicates an organised crude oil storage facility intended to support illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage.
“The illegal storage facility and the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures, preventing criminals from establishing another strategic logistics hub for their illicit activities,” he said.
The director of naval information said the successful operation underscored the navy’s uncompromising stance against economic saboteurs and crude oil thieves.
He said the navy would continue it’s efforts to target the infrastructure underpinning crude oil theft, rather than merely intercepting products in transit.
“By dismantling storage facilities and disrupting supply networks, the serrvice aims to weaken the operational capacity of criminal syndicates and safeguard Nigeria’s vital oil and gas resources.
He warned anyone considering involvement in such criminal enterprises to desist, as their actions will be dealt with strictly under the law.
The naval spokesperson reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to combat crude oil theft, protect the nation’s maritime environment, and uphold economic security.
