The Nigerian Navy has confiscated 17,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and demolished an illegal refinery in the Niger Delta, reinforcing its fight against oil theft in the region.
The Director of Information of the Nigerian Navy, Abiodun Folorunsho, revealed in a statement on Friday that the operation was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, following orders from the Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, to intensify efforts against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
Folorunsho explained that the operation took place within the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny Area of Operations, Rivers State, after naval operatives tracked the activities of suspected oil thieves for several weeks.
Using advanced maritime surveillance technology, the team discovered concealed dugout pits hidden beneath dense vegetation in creeks around the Opotumbi area.
He added that the recovered crude and associated products were destroyed in accordance with operational guidelines, highlighting the Navy’s ongoing commitment to tackling crude oil theft and other maritime crimes in the Niger Delta.