The Nigerian Navy has dismantled a major illegal crude oil storage site in the Opotumbi area of Rivers State, destroying approximately 17,500 litres of stolen products.
The operation was carried out by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny as part of Operation Delta Sentinel, a stepped-up initiative ordered by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to eliminate maritime crime.
According to a statement by Captain AA Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, the site was discovered using advanced maritime surveillance technology. The illegal products were found hidden in four concealed dugout pits, which had been camouflaged by thick vegetation deep within the creeks to evade detection.
Navy personnel moved in swiftly to secure the site. Following official operational guidelines, the recovered products were destroyed on-site to prevent further illegal activity.
This latest crackdown underscores the Navy’s shift toward high-tech surveillance and continuous patrolling. Officials stated that the move is part of a broader strategy to protect Nigeria’s critical national assets and stabilize the nation’s economic interests within the maritime environment.
