Navy uncovers 75,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Delta

The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 75,000 litres of suspected crude oil stored in three dugout reservoirs in the Oteghele area of Delta State during two separate operations aimed at combating crude oil theft.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.

According to the statement, the discoveries were made by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

It explained that the first operation led to the discovery of approximately 30,000 litres of suspected crude oil in one reservoir on 12 October, while a follow-up operation on 14 October uncovered an additional 45,000 litres stored in two large reservoirs, bringing the total quantity recovered to 75,000 litres.

It further added that the reservoirs and their contents were handled in accordance with established procedures.

It pointed out that the successive discoveries exposed concealed storage facilities suspected of supporting the accumulation and onward movement of stolen crude oil.

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It noted that dismantling such storage points would disrupt a critical link in the illicit petroleum trade and reduce opportunities for the unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s oil resources.

The statement added that the Navy would sustain intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to identify and dismantle facilities suspected of facilitating crude oil theft and illegal refining.

It reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protecting critical national assets, curbing economic sabotage and safeguarding the country’s petroleum revenue.