Sunday, August 9, 2026 - The Nigerian Navy has recovered approximately 24,000 litres of a product suspected to be stolen crude oil during an operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The recovery was made by personnel of the Forward Operating
Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation Delta Sentinel, following credible
intelligence about suspected attempts by criminal elements to establish illegal
connections to oil infrastructure around the Bethel Community axis.
According to the Navy, “The operation led to the discovery
of an illegal refining site, 2 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 Navy
said the illegal facilities and associated materials were subsequently handled
in accordance with existing regulations.
It added: “The successful operation disrupted an emerging
crude oil theft network before it could become fully operational, further
denying economic saboteurs the infrastructure required to sustain illicit
activities and inflict economic losses on the nation.” In a separate operation
in Rivers State, the Navy also intercepted approximately 17,000 litres of a
product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)
Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information,
said the interception was carried out by personnel of 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.
He added that the recovered speedboat and suspected
illegally refined AGO were handled in accordance with established anti-crude
oil theft procedures, while efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend
those connected with the activity.
“The latest operational success further demonstrates the
Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to disrupting the illicit petroleum supply
chain, denying economic saboteurs freedom of action and protecting Nigeria’s
critical oil and gas infrastructure from criminal exploitation,” he said. The
Navy said it remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations
under Operation Delta Sentinel to combat crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering
and other forms of economic sabotage.
“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining
intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to combat crude
oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage, while
safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and supporting national economic
security,” the Navy said.
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