Mariam Sanni
As part of ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Nigerian Navy has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site within the Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY Area of Operations in Rivers State.
In a statement , the Director Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho stated that the unit, leveraging the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Surveillance technology, uncovered concealed dugout pits hidden beneath thick vegetation within creeks in the Opotumbi general area.
According to him, the FOB BONNY elements moved swiftly to the site and discovered 4 x dug-out pits containing a cumulative 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
He noted that the recovered products were subsequently destroyed in accordance with extant operational guidelines.
“This move demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s renewed momentum in combating crude oil theft and maritime crimes, emphasising continuous patrols, enhanced surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration to protect critical national assets and Nigeria’s economic interests in Nigeria’s maritime environment,” he stated.
