The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny has successfully deactivated an illegal refining site at Peterside Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, resulted in the impounding of approximately 19,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

According to Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, Base Operations Officer of FOB Bonny, the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence reports received by the Base.

Acting on the intel, the anti-crude oil theft team, comprising armed personnel, was deployed on an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission to validate the intel and subsequently deactivate any illegal refinery site sighted.

During the operation, the team discovered an active illegal refining site behind the community, equipped with cooking tanks, storage tanks, plastic tanks, and a dug-out pit.

He explained that further assessment revealed that one storage tank was laden with about 5,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, the plastic tanks were laden with about 1,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while the dug-out pit contained about 1,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

Additionally, a large wooden boat carefully concealed at the entrance of the community was discovered, laden with about 2,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

He stated that the boat was confiscated in line with extant regulations.

In a related development, operatives of the FOB Bonny stationed at the Oputumbi general area, acting on received credible intelligence, intercepted a wooden boat conveying suspected stolen crude oil and promptly confiscated both the boat and its cargo.

The wooden boat was found to be laden with about 10,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally stolen crude oil.

The Base Operations Officer reiterated the determination of the Nigerian Navy to sustain its bullish aggression against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, warning perpetrators to consider alternative business options.

He reassured stakeholders in the maritime sector of the commitment of the Navy to ensure safe waters for both maritime commuters and businesses within the nation’s maritime domain.

The FOB Bonny confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the operators of the site.

The Nigerian Navy’s continued efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities have been commended by stakeholders, who appreciate the Navy’s commitment to protecting the nation’s maritime domain.