The Nigerian Navy has busted illegal crude oil storage and uncovered approximately 182,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil in Bethel Creeks, Rivers State.

The discovery was made on September 22, 2026, by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny during a follow-up operation based on actionable information about suspicious activities around the creeks.

According to the Navy, the operation uncovered eight dugout pits, five of which contained the suspected stolen crude oil, while the remaining three were empty.

Hoses believed to have been used for moving crude oil were also recovered and handled in line with established procedures .

The latest operation came barely two weeks after the FOB Bonny uncovered approximately 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at four newly activated illegal refining sites around Aworkiri on September 8.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed in a statement that the operation was in a fresh operation aimed at disrupting illegal crude oil storage and transfer activities in the area.

According to him, the earlier operation also uncovered 19 dugout pits and associated infrastructure, which the Navy said indicated attempts to establish facilities for the storage and handling of stolen crude oil.
 
The successive discoveries underscore the Navy’s efforts to disrupt not only the theft of crude oil but also the infrastructure used to store and move it.
 
The Navy said the latest operation would further constrain the availability of crude oil and supporting infrastructure for illegal exploitation in the area.