The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegal crude oil storage facility in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering approximately 20,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in its latest operation targeting oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The successful raid was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under the ongoing Operation Delta Sentinel, a Niger Delta-focused security initiative aimed at combating crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage threatening Nigeria’s energy industry.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, naval operatives uncovered six concealed dugout pits in the Bethel Community axis during an intelligence-led operation. Three of the pits contained large quantities of suspected stolen crude oil, while the remaining three had already been excavated and prepared for future illegal storage activities.
Folorunsho said the discovery highlights the persistence of organised crude oil theft networks operating across the Niger Delta despite intensified security operations.
“These pits represent a significant loss to both the federation and legitimate operators,” he said, reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas infrastructure.
The latest seizure forms part of a broader campaign to disrupt illegal refining and crude oil diversion activities that have continued to erode government revenue, damage critical infrastructure and worsen environmental degradation across oil-producing communities.
Industry analysts estimate that Nigeria loses hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil daily to theft and pipeline sabotage, reducing export volumes and limiting the country’s ability to maximise earnings from higher global oil prices. The losses also affect revenue allocations to the Federation Account and increase operational costs for international oil companies and indigenous energy producers.
Bonny remains one of Nigeria’s most strategically important oil and gas corridors, hosting major export terminals and liquefied natural gas facilities. Strengthened security operations in the area are therefore viewed as critical to safeguarding production, maintaining investor confidence and supporting uninterrupted crude exports.
Although the Navy did not announce any arrests in connection with the operation, officials said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for operating the illegal storage site.
Security experts note that sustained intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and continuous patrols will be essential to curbing crude oil theft, which continues to undermine Nigeria’s fiscal position and foreign exchange earnings.
With the Federal Government relying heavily on crude oil revenues to finance the 2026 budget, authorities say protecting energy infrastructure remains a national priority. The Nigerian Navy reiterated that it will sustain aggressive operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to dismantle illegal oil facilities, deter economic saboteurs and secure the country’s vital petroleum assets.
