Nigerian Navy operations in Rivers State have uncovered four illegal crude oil storage and refining sites containing an estimated 68,175 litres of suspected stolen petroleum.
Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
Captain Folorunsho said the discoveries were made during two operations on October 24 and November 7 by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area.
According to him, during the first operation, naval personnel found two storage sites containing four dugout pits, 29 sacks and a 25-litre keg. The facilities held an estimated 8,675 litres of suspected crude oil.
The second operation led to the discovery of two illegal refining sites with two large and 36 smaller dugout pits, as well as other storage facilities containing about 59,500 litres of suspected stolen crude.
He said the discoveries revealed how crude oil was being stored in makeshift facilities across the area, with the second operation accounting for the bulk of the volume recovered.
The Navy spokesman said the operations followed credible intelligence about illegal petroleum activities in the Orashi Forest and surrounding areas. It added that the discovered products and associated items were handled in line with established procedures.
He said operations would continue under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to disrupt crude oil theft, shut down illegal refining activities and protect the country’s oil and gas infrastructure.
