Navy Dismantles Illegal Crude Oil Storage Infrastructure In Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has dismantled illegal crude oil theft storage infrastructure in Bonny, Rivers State, preventing suspected oil thieves from establishing another operational base in the area.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, according to the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Folorunsho said naval operatives conducted a targeted anti-crude oil theft operation around Dema Abbey Community in Bonny, where they uncovered seven concealed dugout pits believed to have been prepared for illegal crude oil storage.

He explained that preliminary findings showed four of the pits had been freshly excavated, while the remaining three contained water, suggesting they were being readied to facilitate crude oil theft activities.

According to the Navy, similar concealed pits discovered during previous operations had been used as temporary storage facilities for stolen crude oil before it was transported to illegal refining sites.

Folorunsho said the newly excavated pits were immediately dismantled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, denying criminal elements the infrastructure needed to operate within the Bonny axis.

He noted that the operation reflects the Navy’s proactive strategy of disrupting crude oil theft at the preparatory stage by targeting facilities used to support illegal activities before they become operational.

The naval spokesman added that the approach has continued to weaken the logistics network sustaining crude oil theft and illegal refining across the Niger Delta.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal infrastructure, curbing economic sabotage, and protecting the country’s critical oil and gas assets in support of national economic security.