By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered approximately 85,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil during a follow-up operation at the Allison area of Rivers State, further disrupting attempts to re-establish illegal oil bunkering activities following an earlier intervention in the area.
Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director Naval Information disclosed this in a statement signed on Thursday.
The operation was conducted by FOB BONNY on 29 September 2026, following actionable information on the establishment of a new illegal bunkering site.
The operation uncovered 16 concealed dugout pits, including 4 containing approximately 40,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and another 3 containing approximately 45,000 litres suspected to be awaiting processing.
Troops also found hoses used to move crude oil.
The latest discovery comes barely a week after the deactivation of a major illegal refining camp in the same area on 22 September 2026.
The successive interventions indicate that attempts to regenerate illicit oil-processing capacity are meeting continued naval pressure, limiting criminal operators’ ability to restore previously disrupted activities.
The recovered suspected stolen crude oil and associated items were handled in accordance with established procedures.
The operation further reinforces the importance of a sustained, intelligence-led presence in denying criminal operators the infrastructure needed to store, process, and move stolen crude oil.
