The Nigerian Navy has uncovered about 85,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Allison, Rivers State, barely a week after dismantling an illegal refining camp in the area.

Personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny made the discovery on Tuesday, September 29, during a follow-up operation prompted by intelligence about a new illegal bunkering site.

A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folarunsho, said the operation uncovered 16 concealed dugout pits.

Four contained about 40,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while three held approximately 45,000 litres believed to be awaiting processing.

Troops also recovered hoses allegedly used to transfer crude oil from the pits.

The operation followed the Navy’s deactivation of a major illegal refining camp in the area on September 22.

Folarunsho said the successive operations demonstrated the Navy’s sustained, intelligence-led efforts to prevent the resurgence of illegal oil bunkering and refining by denying criminal operators’ infrastructure to store, process and transport stolen crude oil.

The Navy said the recovered crude oil and other items were handled in line with established procedures, adding that its continued presence would frustrate attempts to rebuild facilities dismantled by security forces. (The Guardian)