The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny has discovered and deactivated illegal reservoirs allegedly used to store illegally procured products suspected to be stolen crude oil in Allison Community in Bonny, Rivers State.
A statement by the FOB Bonny on Thursday, April 16, 2026, disclosed that acting on credible intelligence, its anti-crude oil theft team on patrol deployed its aerial surveillance drone, which captured unusual activity around the area.
This led to an intervention by the team leading to the discovery of seven dug-out pits in the area with hoses connected across the Admiralty Creek into the Ogbonga Forest area.
The dug-out pits were said to be holding cumulatively 31,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“Following credible intelligence on suspected crude oil theft within Bonny Island, the FOB Bonny Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team conducted intense patrols along Bonny Anchorage, Admiralty Creek, Oputumbi, Dema and Allison communities.
“While patrolling within the vicinity of Allison Community, the team deployed its drone for aerial surveillance around and observed dug-out pits within the surroundings.
“The drone footage further revealed hoses coming out of vegetation to the river mouth.
“Accordingly, the team beach-landed for further assessment. Notably, the team discovered four (4) large dugout pits, with two (2) containing an estimated 6,500 litres and 5,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, respectively.
“Further search behind the area revealed two (2) additional dug-out pits containing an estimated 4,000 litres and 3,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, respectively.
“The team proceeded to the position of the hoses and discovered another three (3) dug-out pits hidden under vegetation.
“One of the dugout pits contained an estimated 5,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the other two (2) pits were filled with an estimated 4,500 litres and 3,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, respectively.
“Accordingly, a cumulative 31,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil were discovered and handled appropriately in line with extant regulations.”
This operation, under the watch of its current Commanding Officer, Captain Chukwuemeka Umeh, consolidates recent successes achieved by the Forward Operating Base Bonny in pursuance of realising the statutory mandate of the Nigerian Navy and in line with the strategic guidance of the incumbent Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Admiralty Medal.
At the core of its mandate is the discovery and deactivation of illegal refining sites, denial of action to criminal elements within the Niger Delta region and securing the nation’s maritime domain for legitimate commercial activities to thrive.