Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered and dismantled another illegal crude oil storage facility in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering about 20,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil during an operation carried out on Tuesday, June 30, under Operation Delta Sentinel.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny around the Bethel Community axis, where naval operatives acting on credible intelligence uncovered a concealed illegal storage facility hidden within the mangrove environment.
According to the Navy, a thorough search of the site led to the discovery of six carefully constructed dugout pits designed for storing crude oil before it was transported for illegal refining or sale.
Three of the pits contained approximately 20,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while the remaining three had already been excavated and prepared for future storage.
The Navy said the configuration and sophistication of the facility indicated it was an organised crude oil storage hub established to support illegal refining operations and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
Following the discovery, the illegal facility was dismantled in line with operational procedures, while the recovered products were secured as investigations commenced to identify those behind the operation.
The service explained that the operation formed part of its intensified campaign under Operation Delta Sentinel, a strategic security initiative aimed at protecting Nigeria's oil and gas infrastructure, combating crude oil theft, eliminating illegal refining activities, and safeguarding national economic assets.
Military authorities have consistently described crude oil theft as one of Nigeria's most serious economic security threats, noting that illegal bunkering deprives the country of billions of naira in revenue annually, damages critical oil infrastructure, and contributes significantly to environmental degradation across the Niger Delta.
The latest discovery comes amid renewed efforts by security agencies to dismantle criminal networks involved in oil theft. In recent months, the Nigerian Navy has intensified patrols across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom and other oil-producing states, leading to the destruction of numerous illegal refining sites, seizures of stolen petroleum products, and arrests of suspected oil thieves.
Operation Delta Sentinel was established to strengthen maritime security and suppress criminal activities within Nigeria's coastal and inland waterways. The operation combines intelligence gathering, surveillance, patrols and coordinated enforcement actions against individuals and groups involved in crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining.
Security experts say operators of illegal refining camps often conceal crude oil in dugout pits covered with vegetation to evade aerial surveillance and security patrols. The crude is later transported through makeshift pipelines, wooden boats or barges to illegal refining camps, where it is processed into petroleum products using primitive methods.
Beyond the huge financial losses suffered by the country, illegal refining continues to pose serious environmental and public health risks. The process frequently results in oil spills, destruction of mangrove forests, pollution of rivers and farmlands, and widespread air pollution caused by the burning of crude oil and petroleum waste.
Communities across parts of the Niger Delta have repeatedly expressed concern over the long-term environmental damage caused by illegal refining, saying it has affected fishing, farming and other traditional means of livelihood.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against economic sabotage in the region, warning individuals involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining to abandon the illicit trade or face the full weight of the law.
The Navy also appealed to residents of coastal communities to continue providing timely and credible intelligence that would assist security agencies in preventing illegal activities and protecting Nigeria's vital oil infrastructure.
Authorities say the latest seizure represents another significant step in ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft, boost oil production, and protect one of Nigeria's most important economic resources.
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