The Nigerian Navy troops have burst illegal crude oil bunkering activities and deactivated suspected crude oil storage infrastructure containing approximately 93,000 litres of stolen crude oil .
Naval troops under Operation DELTA SENTINEL
made the discovery around Allison Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Director Naval Information, Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Boidun Folorunsho stated in a statement that the operation was conducted by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY on 20 August 2026, following actionable intelligence on suspected illegal crude oil storage activities within the area.
According to him,the operation led to the discovery of 10 dugout pits, five of which contained an estimated 93,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the remaining five pits were filled with water. A substantial quantity of hoses associated with the movement and transfer of crude oil was also discovered within the area.
He said the recovered products, dugout pits and associated materials were handled in accordance with established operational procedures stating that “the action effectively disrupted suspected crude oil theft activities and denied criminal elements access to facilities and materials required to sustain the illicit trade.”
He also said the latest success “underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained operational pressure against the infrastructure supporting crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.”
It further demonstrates the Service’s commitment to identifying and disrupting the networks that facilitate the illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources.
Navy Captain Folorunsho stressed that the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical national assets, safeguard Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure and deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within the nation’s maritime environment.