PHOTOS: Navy dismantles illegal fuel storage facility in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegal fuel storage and distribution facility in the Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering an estimated 13,000 liters of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. The operation was conducted by personnel from Forward Operating Base BONNY under "Operation Delta Sentinel."

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The illegal facility is believed to have supported criminal activities linked to the unlawful petroleum products trade, thereby undermining national economic interests and the integrity of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure. Relevant investigations are ongoing, while efforts continue to identify all persons connected with the illegal operation.

Naval operatives discovered a facility equipped with large-capacity storage tanks, reservoirs, drums, and hoses used for the unlawful handling and distribution of petroleum products. The recovered products and associated equipment were processed according to operational procedures. Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, stated that the illegal facility was believed to have facilitated criminal activities linked to the illicit petroleum products trade, thereby harming national economic interests and Nigeria's oil and gas infrastructure.

Folorunsho described the operation as a milestone in the Navy's ongoing campaign against crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. He emphasized that the successful dismantling of such infrastructure is crucial for protecting critical national assets and supporting the Federal Government's efforts to boost oil production and national revenue.

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The successful operation represents another significant step in the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to dismantle the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. It further underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to protecting critical national assets and supporting the Federal Government's drive to enhance crude oil production and national revenue.

The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations like "Operation DELTA SENTINEL" to protect the nation's oil and gas infrastructure and prevent economic saboteurs from operating within the maritime domain. The ongoing efforts aim to curb illegal refining activities that significantly impact the country's economy.

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The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL and other lawful operations aimed at safeguarding critical oil and gas infrastructure and denying economic saboteurs the freedom of action to perpetuate any form of criminality in our maritime domain.