The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta, uncovering and deactivating suspected crude oil storage facilities containing approximately 93,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Bonny local government area of rivers state. The operation, conducted on August 20 by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY under Operation Delta Sentinel, followed actionable intelligence indicating suspected illegal crude oil storage activities around Allison Community, Abiodun Folorunsho, Captain, Nigerian Navy Director of Naval Information said in a press statement on Saturday.&nbsp;According to him, naval personnel discovered 10 dugout pits believed to have been used in the illicit storage of crude oil during the operation. Five of the pits contained an estimated 93,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the remaining five were filled with water. The operation also led to the discovery of a substantial quantity of hoses believed to have been used for the movement and transfer of crude oil.&nbsp;Captain Folurunsho said that the recovered products, dugout pits and associated materials were subsequently handled in line with established operational procedures, adding that the intervention effectively disrupted the suspected illegal operation and denied those involved access to infrastructure and equipment needed to sustain crude oil theft. The latest operation highlights the Nigerian Navy's continuing efforts to dismantle the infrastructure that supports crude oil theft and illegal bunkering across the Niger Delta.&nbsp;&nbsp;Official data indicate that Nigeria's crude-oil theft problem has declined substantially in recent years, although illegal bunkering remains widespread across the Niger Delta.&nbsp;Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) data show estimated oil theft falling from an average of 22,900 barrels per day in 2023 to 11,200 barrels per day in 2024, with the average at 10,180 barrels per day between January and August 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy reported more than 580 anti-oil-theft operations between April and June 2026, during which it destroyed 58 illegal refining sites, dismantled 48 illegal storage facilities and deactivated 239 dugout pits, recovering 4.7 million litres of stolen petroleum products.&nbsp;&nbsp;The service said its sustained operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL demonstrate its commitment to protecting critical national assets, securing Nigeria's oil and gas infrastructure and curbing activities that undermine the nation's economy,&nbsp; reaffirng&nbsp;its resolve to maintain operational pressure against networks involved in the illegal exploitation of Nigeria's natural resources and to deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within the nation's maritime environment.

Naval personnel discovered 10 dugout pits believed to have been used in the illicit storage of crude oil during the operation

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta, uncovering and deactivating suspected crude oil storage facilities containing approximately 93,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Bonny local government area of rivers state. The operation, conducted on August 20 by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY under Operation Delta Sentinel, followed actionable intelligence indicating suspected illegal crude oil storage activities around Allison Community, Abiodun Folorunsho, Captain, Nigerian Navy Director of Naval Information said in a press statement on Saturday. According to him, naval personnel discovered 10 dugout pits believed to have been used in the illicit storage of crude oil during the operation. Five of the pits contained an estimated 93,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the remaining five were filled with water. The operation also led to the discovery of a substantial quantity of hoses believed to have been used for the movement and transfer of crude oil. Captain Folurunsho said that the recovered products, dugout pits and associated materials were subsequently handled in line with established operational procedures, adding that the intervention effectively disrupted the suspected illegal operation and denied those involved access to infrastructure and equipment needed to sustain crude oil theft. The latest operation highlights the Nigerian Navy's continuing efforts to dismantle the infrastructure that supports crude oil theft and illegal bunkering across the Niger Delta. Official data indicate that Nigeria's crude-oil theft problem has declined substantially in recent years, although illegal bunkering remains widespread across the Niger Delta. Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) data show estimated oil theft falling from an average of 22,900 barrels per day in 2023 to 11,200 barrels per day in 2024, with the average at 10,180 barrels per day between January and August 2025. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy reported more than 580 anti-oil-theft operations between April and June 2026, during which it destroyed 58 illegal refining sites, dismantled 48 illegal storage facilities and deactivated 239 dugout pits, recovering 4.7 million litres of stolen petroleum products. The service said its sustained operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL demonstrate its commitment to protecting critical national assets, securing Nigeria's oil and gas infrastructure and curbing activities that undermine the nation's economy, reaffirng its resolve to maintain operational pressure against networks involved in the illegal exploitation of Nigeria's natural resources and to deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within the nation's maritime environment.

Naval personnel discovered 10 dugout pits believed to have been used in the illicit storage of crude oil during the operation

Nigerian Navy disrupts crude oil theft operation, recovers 93,000 litres in Bonny

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over nine suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT EVGENIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration and strengthen maritime security.The suspects were handed over on Friday (Aug 21), following their rescue and preliminary investigation by the Nigerian Navy.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-2027-elections-presidential-governorship-candidates-face-n571bn-campaign-spending-ceiling-1787284847113">Nigeria 2027 elections: Presidential, governorship candidates face N571bn campaign spending ceiling</a>In a press statement made available to WION correspondent Louisa Olaniyi, and signed by the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, the nine individuals were discovered on Wednesday (Aug 19), concealed inside the propeller compartment of MT EVGENIA. They were safely evacuated from the vessel and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.The suspects were identified as Thompson Vincent, 23; Emmanuel Philip, 24; Tobi Olalekan, 32; Omotayo Adebowale, 43; Abdullahi Idowu, 21; Tunde Mustapha, 19; Jamiu Ismaila, 25; Ibrahim Alabi, 30; and Christian Kadiri, 22.According to preliminary findings, the suspects allegedly boarded MT EVGENIA while the vessel was berthed at Flour Mills Jetty, Apapa, with the intention of travelling illegally to Europe.For context, a stowaway is a person who conceals themselves aboard a vessel in an attempt to travel to another country without the required authorisation. Such attempts can expose individuals to serious risks, including injury or death, particularly when they hide in confined and hazardous areas of vessels.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-2027-elections-presidential-candidates-party-leaders-sign-national-peace-accord-in-abuja-1787146838145">Nigeria's presidential candidates, party leaders sign National Peace Accord</a>The incident highlights the wider implications of irregular migration attempts, which can have consequences beyond Nigeria and affect maritime security and safety across the West African coast.NNS BEECROFT therefore urged parents, guardians, and other community leaders to discourage young people from attempting to board seagoing vessels illegally and to raise awareness of the dangers associated with stowaway activities.Commodore A. Adams-Aliu said the ship would continue to support the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), by helping protect Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint security operations.He reaffirmed the commitment of NNS BEECROFT to professional naval operations aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain, defending national sovereignty and contributing to internal stability.The handover to the Nigeria Immigration Service further underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing irregular migration and strengthening security along Nigeria’s maritime routes.&nbsp;

Nine suspected stowaways were found hiding in one of the most dangerous parts of a merchant vessel in Nigeria. After being rescued by the Navy, they were handed over to immigration authorities as investigators probe their alleged Europe-bound journey.

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over nine suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT EVGENIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration and strengthen maritime security. The suspects were handed over on Friday (Aug 21), following their rescue and preliminary investigation by the Nigerian Navy. Also read | Nigeria 2027 elections: Presidential, governorship candidates face N571bn campaign spending ceiling In a press statement made available to WION correspondent Louisa Olaniyi, and signed by the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, the nine individuals were discovered on Wednesday (Aug 19), concealed inside the propeller compartment of MT EVGENIA. They were safely evacuated from the vessel and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling. The suspects were identified as Thompson Vincent, 23; Emmanuel Philip, 24; Tobi Olalekan, 32; Omotayo Adebowale, 43; Abdullahi Idowu, 21; Tunde Mustapha, 19; Jamiu Ismaila, 25; Ibrahim Alabi, 30; and Christian Kadiri, 22. According to preliminary findings, the suspects allegedly boarded MT EVGENIA while the vessel was berthed at Flour Mills Jetty, Apapa, with the intention of travelling illegally to Europe. For context, a stowaway is a person who conceals themselves aboard a vessel in an attempt to travel to another country without the required authorisation. Such attempts can expose individuals to serious risks, including injury or death, particularly when they hide in confined and hazardous areas of vessels. Also read | Nigeria's presidential candidates, party leaders sign National Peace Accord The incident highlights the wider implications of irregular migration attempts, which can have consequences beyond Nigeria and affect maritime security and safety across the West African coast. NNS BEECROFT therefore urged parents, guardians, and other community leaders to discourage young people from attempting to board seagoing vessels illegally and to raise awareness of the dangers associated with stowaway activities. Commodore A. Adams-Aliu said the ship would continue to support the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), by helping protect Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint security operations. He reaffirmed the commitment of NNS BEECROFT to professional naval operations aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain, defending national sovereignty and contributing to internal stability. The handover to the Nigeria Immigration Service further underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing irregular migration and strengthening security along Nigeria’s maritime routes.

Nine suspected stowaways were found hiding in one of the most dangerous parts of a merchant vessel in Nigeria. After being rescued by the Navy, they were handed over to immigration authorities as investigators probe their alleged Europe-bound journey.

Nigerian Navy hands over nine suspected stowaways to immigration service

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Nigerian Navy disrupts crude oil theft operation, recovers 93,000 litres in Bonny

Nigerian Navy hands over nine suspected stowaways to immigration service