Navy seizes 24,000 litres of pilfered petroleum in Rivers State operation

The Nigerian Navy has dealt a significant blow to crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in Rivers State, recovering around 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in the Bonny Local Government Area as part of Operation Delta Sentinel. This successful operation was carried out by personnel from the Forward Operating Base in Bonny, who acted on credible intelligence regarding suspected attempts to establish illegal connections to oil infrastructure in the Bethel Community area.

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The Navy's operation led to the discovery of an illegal refining site, where two pits containing approximately 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil were found, along with extensive hoses believed to be part of crude oil theft activities.

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The illegal facilities and associated materials were subsequently handled according to existing regulations, effectively disrupting an emerging crude oil theft network before it could become fully operational.

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This operation denied economic saboteurs the infrastructure needed to sustain their illicit activities, thereby preventing economic losses for the nation, and demonstrating the Navy's commitment to combating crude oil theft.

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In a separate operation under Operation Delta Sentinel, the Navy intercepted around 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in Rivers State.

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This interception was made by personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, who were conducting anti-crude oil theft operations within their Area of Operation and intercepted a speedboat conveying the suspected illegally refined petroleum product along the Onne/Okrika waterways.

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The recovered speedboat and the suspected illegally refined AGO were handled according to existing anti-crude oil theft procedures, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those connected to the illegal activity.

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The latest operational success demonstrates the Nigerian Navy's sustained commitment to disrupting the illicit petroleum supply chain and protecting Nigeria's critical oil and gas infrastructure from criminal exploitation.

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Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, noted that 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.

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The Navy's goal is to safeguard Nigeria's maritime environment and support national economic security through these operations.