By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered and deactivated an illegal refining site in Bonny, Rivers State, recovering over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho.
According to the statement, the operation was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel following credible intelligence.
Personnel of the Forward Operating Base Bonny deployed an anti-crude oil theft patrol team, which identified the illegal refining site with dugout pits and locally fabricated equipment.
The statement read, “The perpetrators fled the scene upon sighting the naval patrol team, while over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil were recovered.”
The Navy said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to tackle crude oil theft and economic sabotage.
It added that the operation aligns with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to intensify intelligence-driven operations.