OPERATION DELTA SENTINEL: Nigerian Navy Destroys Illegal Crude Oil Storage Site in Bonny
The Nigerian Navy has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site in the mangroves around Oputumbi Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Navy in a statement on Saturday, March 14, 2026 said its Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny, Rivers State carried out that operation that led to denial of criminal elements a cumulative quantity of 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“The ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering under Operation DELTA SENTINEL has begun to yield gains, as the Nigerian Navy has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site within the Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY Area of Operations in Rivers State.”
“The naval unit leveraging the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Surveillance technology, uncovered concealed dugout pits hidden beneath thick vegetation within creeks in the Oputumbi general area.”
“FOB BONNY elements moved swiftly to the site and discovered 4 X dug-out pits containing a cumulative 17,500 Iitres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.”
“The recovered products were subsequently destroyed in accordance with extant operational guidelines.”
The Nigerian Navy stated that the operation was in consonance with the strategic directive and operational guidelines of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral ldi Abbas, which aims at intensifying activities under the Operation Delta Sentinel.
It further stated that “this move demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s renewed momentum in combating crude oil theft and maritime crimes”, emphasising that this includes “continuous patrols, enhanced surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration”.
It further emphasised that the aim of this bolstered aggression is “to protect critical national assets and Nigeria’s economic interests in Nigeria’s maritime environment”.
This operational milestone is coming weeks after Captain Chukwuemeka Umeh took command of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, promising to consolidate on the operational successes of his predecessor, Commodore Emmanuel Fingesi
