Navy seizes more than 20,000 litres of crude oil from illicit refinery operation in Bonny

The Nigerian Navy has achieved a significant operational milestone under Operation Delta Sentinel, with the discovery and dismantling of an illicit refining facility in Allison Community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, resulting in the seizure of over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

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According to Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, the operation was conducted by personnel from Forward Operating Base Bonny, under the Eastern Naval Command, on Thursday, following reliable intelligence on illicit refining activities in the area.

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The naval base swiftly deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft patrol team, which successfully tracked down the illicit refining site, containing dugout pits, locally fabricated cooking and cooling systems, and sacks filled with substances suspected to be stolen crude oil.

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A thorough assessment of the facility revealed that it held more than 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, with the illegal refining infrastructure and recovered products being handled in accordance with established operational procedures.

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The suspects behind the operation fled the scene upon sighting the naval patrol team, and the Nigerian Navy has stated that the successful raid underscores its ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft, illicit refining, and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.

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The operation is aligned with the directive of Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of the Naval Staff, who has instructed operational commanders to intensify intelligence-driven operations to protect the nation's critical oil infrastructure and support the Federal Government's goal of producing 2.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2026.

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The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining pressure on oil thieves and criminal networks that undermine the country's economic stability, with operations under Operation Delta Sentinel set to continue across the maritime environment and the wider Niger Delta region.