Navy Cracks Down on Illegal Fuel Trade in Bonny

1. The Nigerian Navy has uncovered and dismantled an illegal fuel storage and distribution hub in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering about 13,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The operation was conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation Delta Sentinel, the Navy disclosed in a statement posted on X on Thursday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.

According to the statement, the illegal facility housed large-capacity storage tanks, reservoirs, drums, hoses and other equipment used for the storage and distribution of petroleum products.

The Navy added that all recovered products and equipment were handled in line with established operational procedures.

Folorunsho said the facility was believed to have served as a distribution point for illegally refined petroleum products, fueling activities that threaten the nation’s oil and gas sector.

“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,” he said.

He described the raid as another breakthrough in the Navy’s sustained crackdown on crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.

“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.

He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to protecting critical oil and gas assets and intensifying operations against economic saboteurs operating within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

“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,” Folorunsho added.