The Nigerian Navy has recovered about 24,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and intercepted another 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during intensified operations against oil theft and illegal refining in Rivers State.
The operations were carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel, the Navy’s ongoing campaign against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other activities targeting Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
In Bonny Local Government Area, personnel of the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny acted on intelligence concerning suspected plans by criminal elements to establish illegal connections to oil infrastructure around the Bethel Community axis.
The operation uncovered an illegal refining site, two pits containing approximately 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and extensive hoses believed to have been installed to support crude oil theft.
The Navy said the illegal facilities and associated materials were handled in line with existing regulations.
According to the military, the operation disrupted an emerging crude oil theft network before it could become fully operational, preventing the group from establishing infrastructure for continued illegal activities.
In a separate operation, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder intercepted a speedboat carrying approximately 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO along the Onne/Okrika waterways.
The recovered speedboat and petroleum product were handled according to established anti-crude oil theft procedures, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those linked to the operation.
The Navy said the latest successes demonstrate its continued commitment to protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure and disrupting illegal petroleum activities.
It added that intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel will continue as part of efforts to combat crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage across Nigeria’s maritime environment.
