Navy Dismantles Illegal Fuel Storage Facility, Recovers 13,000 Litres in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegal petroleum products storage and distribution facility in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering approximately 13,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base Bonny under Operation Delta Sentinel, according to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
The Navy said its personnel discovered the illegal facility containing large capacity storage tanks, reservoirs, drums, hoses and other equipment allegedly used for the unlawful storage and distribution of petroleum products.
The recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with established operational procedures, the Navy said.
Folorunsho said preliminary findings indicated that the facility may have supported criminal activities linked to the illicit petroleum products trade, which he said undermined national economic interests and the integrity of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
He added that investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend persons connected with the illegal operation.
The Navy described the operation as another step in its sustained campaign against crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
According to the naval authorities, the operation also supports efforts by the Federal Government to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, increase crude oil production and strengthen national revenue.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining Operation Delta Sentinel and other lawful operations aimed at securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and denying economic saboteurs access to critical oil and gas assets.
The latest operation comes amid continued efforts by security agencies to tackle illegal oil-related activities in the Niger Delta, which remain a major concern to Nigeria’s economy and energy security.
