The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a dugout reservoir containing about 10,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil in the Oteghele general area of Delta State.
The discovery was made on September 2 by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta during an anti-crude oil theft operation following credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities in the area.
NNS Delta is under the command of Commodore Shehu Tasiu.
In a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the reservoir and its contents were handled in accordance with established procedures, preventing the suspected stolen crude from being further utilised for illicit activities.
The Navy said the operation was part of sustained efforts to deny criminal operators access to crude oil and the infrastructure used to facilitate its illegal exploitation.
It added that the operation was in line with the strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to protect critical national infrastructure within Nigeria’s territorial waters.