By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, recovering about 105,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil during coordinated operations in Delta State.
The operation, carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL within the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA Area of Responsibility, uncovered concealed storage sites allegedly used by oil thieves to stockpile stolen crude.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said security operatives recovered about 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude at one location and 45,000 litres at another, both within the Oteghele axis of Delta State.
According to the Navy, the latest seizure highlights the continued activities of economic saboteurs involved in crude oil theft, while demonstrating the Service’s resolve to dismantle illegal bunkering networks and protect the nation’s oil assets.
”The recoveries underscore the persistence of criminal elements involved in crude oil theft as well as the Nigerian Navy’s determination to deny them the resources and infrastructure required to sustain their illicit activities,” the statement said.
It added that the operations are part of ongoing efforts to disrupt crude oil theft syndicates, safeguard critical oil and gas infrastructure and reduce the huge economic losses caused by illegal bunkering.
The Navy said the success recorded under Operation DELTA SENTINEL further reflects the effectiveness of sustained military operations aimed at degrading criminal enterprises engaged in crude oil theft across the Niger Delta.
Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Service vowed to sustain aggressive operations against economic sabotage and continue protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment and energy infrastructure.
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