The Nigerian Navy has foiled another attempt by crude oil theft syndicates to establish an illegal storage facility in the Bonny axis of Rivers State, sustaining the operational momentum of Operation DELTA SENTINEL in its intensified crackdown on crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
In a statement, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed that personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny conducted a targeted anti-crude oil theft operation around Dema Abbey Community in Bonny Local Government Area, leading to the discovery of seven concealed dugout pits strategically established within the area.
Folorunsho said a preliminary assessment revealed that four of the dugout pits had been freshly excavated, while three contained water, indicating preparations to support crude oil theft activities.
He added that the discovery was consistent with recent operations in which similar concealed pits had been used as temporary storage facilities for stolen crude oil before it was transported to illegal refining sites.
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According to him, the newly excavated pits were subsequently dismantled in line with existing anti-crude oil theft procedures, effectively denying criminal elements the infrastructure required to establish another crude oil storage hub within the Bonny operational area.
He noted that the operation reflects the Nigerian Navy’s proactive operational strategy of disrupting crude oil theft at the preparatory stage by targeting the infrastructure that enables illicit activities before it becomes operational.
“This preventive approach continues to weaken the logistics chain sustaining crude oil theft and illegal refining across the Niger Delta,” he said.
Folorunsho reaffirmed that the Nigerian Navy remains steadfast in sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle criminal infrastructure, deny economic saboteurs freedom of action, and safeguard Nigeria’s critical oil and gas assets in support of the nation’s economic security.
