By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Navy has discovered an estimated 132,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil stored in 10 dugout pits in Allison community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The discovery was made on October 22, 2026, by personnel of the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny during an operation targeting crude oil theft and illegal petroleum storage in the Niger Delta.
The operation was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel following actionable intelligence, according to the Navy.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the personnel uncovered the 10 dugout pits containing the suspected stolen crude oil.
He added that the site and recovered petroleum products were handled in accordance with existing regulations.
The operation forms part of the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing efforts to identify concealed petroleum stockpiles, dismantle illegal refining facilities and disrupt networks involved in crude oil theft and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products.
The Navy said intelligence-led operations would continue across the Niger Delta to protect Nigeria’s petroleum resources and tackle activities that threaten the country’s oil industry.
NAVY SEEKS COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Navy has called on community leaders, residents, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to report suspected crude oil theft, illegal refining, suspicious petroleum storage and unauthorised movement of petroleum products to the nearest security agency.
According to the service, timely and credible information from members of the public is essential for identifying illegal activities and enabling security personnel to respond promptly.
It stressed that cooperation between security agencies and host communities remains important in protecting oil infrastructure and preventing the expansion of criminal networks.
The discovery in Bonny adds to the security challenges surrounding crude oil theft and illegal petroleum activities in the Niger Delta, where authorities continue efforts to safeguard oil installations and prevent the unauthorised exploitation of the country’s natural resources.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustained operations aimed at protecting Nigeria’s petroleum assets and disrupting activities linked to crude oil theft.
The statement did not identify any suspects or indicate whether arrests had been made in connection with the discovery.
