The Nigerian Navy has discovered 10,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Otegele, a coastal community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The discovery was made in the early hours of Saturday during an anti-crude oil theft operation conducted within the area of responsibility of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta.
The operation, according to the Navy, followed credible intelligence on suspected illicit petroleum activities in the area.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the operation, Commodore Shehu Tasiu said the operation was conducted in line with the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to protect critical national infrastructure within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Tasiu said the operation was part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts to deny criminal operators access to crude oil and infrastructure used to facilitate its illegal exploitation.
He said the reservoir containing the suspected stolen crude oil had been handled in accordance with established procedures to prevent the product from being further used for illicit activities.
“The seizure reaffirms the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to the fight against crude oil theft and infrastructure vandalism in the Niger Delta region,” he said.
Tasiu added that the operation highlighted both the sophistication of criminal networks involved in crude oil theft and the strategic importance of collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and stakeholders in the oil sector.
