The Nigerian Navy has said its officers, under the command of Commodore Shehu Tasiu, have uncovered 10,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in the coastal community of Otegele, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to the Navy, the discovery was “effected in the early hours of Saturday during an Anti-Crude oil theft operation conducted within the area of operation of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS-Delta), following credible intelligence on suspected illicit petroleum activities in the area”.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the discovery, Tasiu stated that the operation was carried out “in line with the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, in ensuring that critical national infrastructures are protected in the Nigerian territorial waters”.
He said the operation added to ongoing efforts to deny criminal operators access to crude oil and the infrastructure used to facilitate its illegal exploitation.
The reservoir and its content had been handled in accordance with established procedures, preventing the suspected stolen crude oil from being further utilised for illicit activities.
“The seizures reaffirmed the commitment of the Navy to the war against crude oil theft and infrastructure vandalisation in the Niger Delta region,” he stated.
Tasiu added that the operation highlighted not only the sophistication of the criminal network but also the strategic value of collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and stakeholders in the oil sector.
