The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegal fuel storage and distribution facility in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering about 13,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base Bonny under Operation Delta Sentinel, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
The Navy said operatives uncovered an illegal petroleum products storage site equipped with large storage tanks, reservoirs, drums, hoses and other equipment allegedly used for the unlawful storage and distribution of petroleum products.
According to the statement, the recovered petroleum products and equipment were handled in line with established operational procedures.
Speaking on the operation, Folorunsho said the illegal facility was believed to have supported criminal activities linked to the illicit petroleum products trade.
“The illegal facility is believed to have supported criminal activities linked to the unlawful petroleum products trade, thereby undermining national economic interests and the integrity of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
Relevant investigations are ongoing, while efforts continue to identify all persons connected with the illegal operation,” he said.
He described the operation as another significant achievement in the Navy’s ongoing campaign against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
“The successful operation represents another significant step in the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to dismantle the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. It further underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to protecting critical national assets and supporting the Federal Government’s drive to enhance crude oil production and national revenue,” Folorunsho stated.
The Navy spokesman reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to protecting the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure and sustaining operations aimed at denying economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining Operation Delta Sentinel and other lawful operations aimed at safeguarding critical oil and gas infrastructure and denying economic saboteurs the freedom of action to perpetuate any form of criminality in our maritime domain,” he added.
The Navy said the operation forms part of its broader efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining, which continue to threaten Nigeria’s economy and the security of its oil and gas sector.
