The Nigerian Navy has recorded another breakthrough in the fight against crude oil theft, recovering about 105,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil during a series of operations in Delta State.
The recovery was made during coordinated anti-crude oil theft operations carried out within the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA Area of Operation.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Navy’s spokesperson, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, who said the operations led to the discovery of hidden storage facilities allegedly used by oil thieves to stockpile stolen crude.
According to the statement, security operatives uncovered two separate illegal storage sites in the Oteghele axis of Delta State, where the suspected stolen products were kept.
The Navy said about 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil were recovered from one location, while another 45,000 litres were found at a different site, bringing the total recovery to approximately 105,000 litres.
Captain Folorunsho explained that the successful operation highlights the continued activities of criminal networks involved in crude oil theft, while also demonstrating the Navy’s determination to dismantle their operations.
He noted that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure and reduce the economic losses caused by illegal oil bunkering.
According to him, the latest recovery is another success recorded under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, an initiative aimed at combating crude oil theft and other economic crimes across the Niger Delta.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against oil thieves and ensuring that those involved in illegal bunkering are denied the resources and infrastructure used to carry out their activities.
The service also pledged to continue working towards protecting the nation’s critical oil assets and boosting economic security.
Source: Nigerian Navy.
