Navy Intensifies Anti-Oil Theft Campaign, Recovers 20,000 Litres in Bonny Operation

As part of ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegal refining site in Allison Community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

The operation, conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, was carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under the Eastern Naval Command.

Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, said the raid was made possible through credible intelligence that guided a swift response by naval personnel.

“Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the naval base deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft patrol team, which successfully located the illegal refining site.

“The site was found to contain dugout pits, locally fabricated cooking and cooling systems, as well as sacks loaded with substances suspected to be stolen crude oil.

“Further assessment revealed that the facility held more than 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.”

Although the operators of the illegal facility fled on sighting the naval team, the Navy confirmed that the site and recovered materials were secured and processed in line with established operational procedures.

The development underscores the Navy’s continued crackdown on crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage affecting oil production in the region.

“The successful raid highlights the Nigerian Navy’s sustained offensive against crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.”

The operation also reflects directives from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, who has emphasized the need for intelligence-driven missions aimed at protecting critical national assets and boosting output toward the Federal Government’s production target of 2.5 million barrels per day by 2026.

The Navy reiterated its resolve to maintain sustained pressure on oil theft syndicates, stating that Operation Delta Sentinel will continue to be actively enforced across the Niger Delta and surrounding maritime environment.

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