FOB Bonny Poised to Frustrate Oil Thieves, Deactivate Illegal Refining Sites, Recover 22,000ltrs of Stolen Crude

Towards actualizing the operational objectives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB) remains poised to continue to deny criminals the freedom of action to steal the nation’s economic assets, particularly, energy resources.

The NNFOB’s Operations Officer (BOO), Lieutenant Commander Siraj Almustapha made this assertion in a statement on Thursday, June 26, 2025 to Kristina Reports in Bonny, Rivers State.

He disclosed that on Wednesday, June 26, 2025, the FOB Bonny deactivated multiple illegal refining sites within the precincts of Dema Abbey Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State and recovered 22,600 liters of stolen crude oil.

He further disclosed that operatives of the FOB Bonny also denied the suspected criminals operating the illegal refining sites 4,575 liters of illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO) and 75 liters of illegally refined premium motor spirit (PMS).

“Criminal elements are hereby advised to desist from illegalities and seek alternative and legal means of livelihood.”

“Consequent upon this, the Base has activated measures towards denying criminal elements freedom of action within FOB BONNY area of operation.”

He informed that operatives of the Base encountered the illegal refining sites and diverse equipment ostensibly used for its operations, and deactivated them, as well as confiscated the illegally sourced products.

“On Wednesday 25 June 2025, FOB BONNY anti-Crude Oil Theft Team were deployed for patrol within the Base’s area of operation.”

“While on patrol the Team discovered a large empty dug out pit estimated to measure about 40m x 30m in size, with a laid-out canvas possibly used as waterproof. It was believed that the criminals intended to use the pit as a storage facility for illegal products.”

“Also, while assessing the surroundings, an active illegal refining site was discovered by the Team. The site had one large dug out pit measuring about 50m x 40m laden with an estimated 18,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil. The pit was connected to the illegal refining site using a large hose.”

“Furthermore, the illegal refining site had 12 drums welded together containing an estimated 4,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.”

“Additionally, the illegal refining site had 4 metal drums welded together containing sea water, 2 drums containing an estimated 600 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, 2 Jerry cans each laden with an estimated 75 litres of illegally refined AGO and PMS, respectively.”

“Other items discovered within the vicinity of the illegal refining site include 4 long hoses of varying sizes, one large open tank containing about 4,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, one large sack containing an unspecified number of polythene bags, 2 sacks containing about 25 litres each of liquid suspected to be refining chemical as well as a pot of cooked beans.”

“Cumulatively, an estimated 22,600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 4,575 liters of illegally refined AGO and 75 litres of illegally refined PMS was denied oil thieves.”

Lt Cdr Almustapha stated that the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny will “continue to carry out various operational activities and tasks towards actualizing the operational objectives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (AM)”.

“Some of these operational activities include routine patrols, anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT), anti-illegal bunkering and anti-kidnapping operations.”

“The operations involve the protection of critical national infrastructure and securing the commercial routes within the Base’s Area of Operation (AOO).”