Nigerian Navy Destroys Illegal Crude Oil Storage Site in Rivers State Under ‘Operation Delta Sentinel’

The Nigerian Navy has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage facility in the Bonny area of Rivers State as part of its intensified crackdown on oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.

According to a press statement issued by AA Folorunsho, Captain (Nigerian Navy), Director Naval Information. The operation was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, following directives from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas. The Navy said the renewed push against crude oil theft is already yielding positive results in the country’s maritime environment.

The illegal facility was uncovered within the area of operations of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny. Naval personnel, leveraging the Nigerian Navy’s maritime surveillance technology, discovered concealed dugout pits hidden beneath thick vegetation within creeks around the Opotumbi general area.

Navy Destroys 17,500 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, FOB Bonny operatives moved to the location where they found four dug-out pits containing a cumulative 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil. The Navy confirmed that the products were destroyed in line with existing operational procedures.

“The naval unit leveraging the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Surveillance technology uncovered concealed dugout pits hidden beneath thick vegetation within creeks in the Opotumbi general area,” the statement said.

It further noted that “FOB BONNY elements moved swiftly to the site and discovered 4 dug-out pits containing a cumulative 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil,” adding that “the recovered products were subsequently destroyed in accordance with extant operational guidelines.”

The development highlights what the Navy described as a renewed momentum in its fight against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes in the region. The service emphasised that it will continue to sustain aggressive patrols, strengthen surveillance capabilities, and deepen collaboration with other security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s critical economic resources.