The Nigerian Navy, in a sustained offensive against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering under Operation Delta Sentinel, has recovered approximately 24,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil in the Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the operation was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny following credible intelligence on suspected attempts by criminal elements to establish illegal connections to oil infrastructure within the Bethel Community axis.
According to the Navy, the operation led to the discovery of an illegal refining site, two pits containing approximately 24,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, as well as extensive hoses believed to have been installed in furtherance of crude oil theft activities. “The illegal facilities and associated materials were subsequently handled in accordance with extant regulations,” the Navy said.
CDA News Nigeria reports that in a related operation, the Navy, still under Operation Delta Sentinel, also intercepted about 17,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) elsewhere in Rivers State. Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, said the interception was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder during ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations within its area of responsibility.
“The operation led to the interception of a speedboat conveying the suspected illegally refined petroleum product along the Onne/Okrika waterways,” Folorunsho said, adding that the recovered speedboat and the suspected illegally refined AGO were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures, while efforts remain ongoing to identify and apprehend those connected with the illegal activity.
The Navy reaffirmed that both operations form part of its sustained, intelligence-driven campaign against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta, describing the latest successes as further demonstration of its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and supporting national economic security.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the Bonny and Onne/Okrika operations add to a growing list of recent enforcement actions carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel in Rivers State, as the Navy continues to target resurgent illegal refining networks and oil theft syndicates operating within the region’s creeks and waterways.
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