By KENNEDY SHEYIN

The Nigerian Navy has discovered and deactivated a suspected illegal crude oil infrastructure containing approximately 93,000 litres of crude oil in Rivers.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.

According to Folorunsho, the operation sustained navy efforts to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities under Operation DELTA SENTINEL around Allison Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers.

“The operation was conducted by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY on Thursday, following actionable intelligence on suspected illegal crude oil storage activities within the area.

“The operation led to the discovery of 10 dugout pits, five of which contained an estimated 93,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the remaining five pits were filled with water.

“A substantial quantity of hoses associated with the movement and transfer of crude oil was also discovered within the area.”

The naval spokesman said that the recovered products, dugout pits and associated materials were handled in accordance with established operational procedures.

He said the operation effectively disrupted suspected crude oil theft activities and denied criminal elements access to facilities and materials required to sustain the illicit trade.

According to him, the latest success underscores the navy’s sustained operational pressure against the infrastructure supporting crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

“It further demonstrates the service’s commitment to identifying and disrupting the networks that facilitate the illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources.

“The navy remains resolute in protecting critical national assets, safeguarding Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure and denying economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within the nation’s maritime environment.” (NAN)