May 15, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB) in Bonny has uncovered and destroyed an illegal refining site in Peterside Community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking to journalists in Bonny on Thursday, NNFOB Base Operations Officer, Lt. Commander Sirajo Al Mustapha, said the operation also led to the seizure of about 19,000 litres of stolen crude oil from the site.
He said the discovery was made following credible intelligence on illegal activities in the area, prompting the deployment of the Navy’s anti-crude oil theft team on an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission.
“An active illegal refining site was discovered behind the community.
Further assessment revealed that one storage tank contained about 5,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, two plastic tanks held approximately 1,000 litres, and a dug-out pit was found with another 1,000 litres,” Mustapha stated.
He added that the site also had two cooking tanks, two storage tanks, two plastic tanks, a large water tank, and a dug-out pit at the time of the raid.
“While the team was withdrawing, a large wooden boat, carefully concealed at the community entrance, was discovered. The boat was laden with about 2,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and was confiscated in line with extant regulations,” he said.
Mustapha further disclosed that in a related operation on May 14, 2025, at about 12:30 a.m., the anti-crude oil theft team stationed at Maritime Guard Post 2 in the Oputumbi general area intercepted another large wooden boat around Owokpo.
Upon inspection, the vessel was found carrying about 10,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and was also impounded.
He said the illegal refining site was destroyed in line with the operational guidelines and strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, adding that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the illegal activities.
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