The Nigerian Navy has scored a major victory in its fight against crude oil theft, with the deactivation of four illegal refining sites and the seizure of 124,000 litres of stolen crude oil in the Awokiri area of Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.

The operation was carried out by the anti-crude oil theft team of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB) Bonny on August 5, 2025.

According to Lieutenant Commander Siraj Almustapha, the Operations Officer of NNFOB Bonny, the team discovered four illegal refining sites situated next to each other, spanning an area estimated to be approximately 150 meters long, during a patrol at around 12:55 pm.

Almustapha stated that the swift action by the naval team led to the deactivation of the sites and the confiscation of the stolen crude oil.

He noted that the operation is part of the activities and tasks aimed at actualising the operational objectives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.

He highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s operational objectives, which include routine patrols, anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) operations, anti-illegal bunkering, and anti-kidnapping operations, as well as the protection of critical national infrastructure and securing commercial routes within the Area of Operations (AOO).

He further disclosed that the team observed four large metal tanks with open tops at the mouth of the river, each having a steel pipe connected to the illegal refining sites.

Upon further assessment, the team discovered that the four illegal refining sites were active, with fresh suspected stolen crude oil in dug-out pits and metal tanks.

The team discovered a total of 12 dug-out pits, each estimated to contain 5,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil. They also found four large metal storage tanks, each holding approximately 14,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, and four large cooking tanks, each filled with about 2,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

He said: “On Tuesday, 5 August 2025, at about 1255, FOB BONNY anti-Crude Oil Theft Team, while on patrol, discovered four illegal refining sites situated serially next to each other over an area estimated to be about 150m long.

“The team further observed four large metal tanks with open tops at the mouth of the river, each having a steel pipe connected to the illegal refining sites. Subsequently, the team made a beach landing for further assessment.

“Notably, the four illegal refining sites were active as evidenced by fresh suspected stolen crude oil in dug-out pits and metal tanks.

“The sites, the team discovered a cumulative 12 dug out pits each containing an estimated 5,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, four large storage metal tanks each containing an estimated 14,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and four large cooking tanks each laden with an estimated 2,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.”

According to him, Other items discovered at the site include a pumping machine, steel pipes, and several hoses of varying sizes, as well as one empty 50-litre jerry can. Cumulatively, an estimated 124,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil were discovered at the sites.

He said: “Furthermore, it was observed that each cooking tank was connected to a metal pipe that runs through a metal water tank acting as coolant through to the large tanks at the river mouth, suspected to be the loading points.

“Cumulatively, an estimated 124,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil were discovered at the sites. Pertinently, this amount of stolen crude oil was denied to criminal elements.”

Consequently, Lt Cdr Almustapha asserted that the Base has activated measures to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the FOB BONNY area of operation, advising criminal elements in the area to desist from illegal activities and seek alternative and legal means of livelihood.