Nigerian Navy Destroys Illegal Crude Oil Storage Site in Rivers, Seizes 17,500 Litres

The Nigerian Navy has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage facility in the Bonny area of Rivers State, seizing an estimated 17,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, officials confirmed.

Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, said the operation was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel following directives from Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to intensify the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering across Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Operation Details and Discovery

Personnel from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny discovered the clandestine storage site in the Opotumbi general area during surveillance operations.

“FOB Bonny elements moved swiftly to the site and discovered four dugout pits containing a cumulative 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil. The recovered products were subsequently destroyed in accordance with extant operational guidelines,” Folorunsho said.

The facility had been hidden under dense vegetation in the creeks, with its detection made possible through the Navy’s advanced maritime surveillance technology.

Navy’s Ongoing Maritime Security Efforts

The Navy emphasized that the operation underscores its renewed momentum in tackling crude oil theft and other maritime crimes. Folorunsho added that patrols would continue, alongside enhanced surveillance and inter-agency collaboration to protect Nigeria’s critical maritime assets and safeguard economic interests.

“We remain committed to ensuring the security of our waters and protecting the nation’s resources from criminal exploitation,” he said.