The Nigerian Navy has uncovered about 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil hidden in eight dugout pits at Bethel Creeks in Ogu, Rivers State.
The discovery was made on September 22 by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny after acting on credible intelligence.
The Navy said five of the dugout pits contained suspected stolen crude oil, while three others were empty.
Officers also recovered hoses believed to have been used to move crude oil between illegal storage sites.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to stop crude oil theft and protect Nigeria’s oil assets.
He noted that the latest discovery came less than two weeks after the base uncovered about 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at illegal refining sites in Aworkiri.
The two operations have now led to the recovery of about 269,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, exposing the hidden storage and transport network used by oil thieves.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations across the Niger Delta to curb crude oil theft, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism, which continue to threaten the economy, government revenue and the environment.