The Nigerian Navy has uncovered about 182,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil in Bethel Creeks, Rivers State.

The discovery was made on September 22, 2026 by personnel of the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Bonny during a follow-up operation based on actionable intelligence on suspicious activities around the creeks.

Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

According to him, the operation uncovered eight dugout pits, five of which contained suspected stolen crude oil, while three were empty. Hoses used for the movement of crude oil were also discovered and handled in line with established procedures.

Folorunsho noted that the latest discovery comes barely two weeks after FOB Bonny uncovered about 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at four newly activated illegal refining sites around Aworkiri on September 8, 2026.

That earlier operation had also exposed 19 dugout pits and associated infrastructure meant for storage and handling of stolen crude.

He said the successive operations show the Navy’s shift to denying criminal operators storage and transfer infrastructure, rather than allowing them re-establish after previous crackdowns.

The Navy said the latest operation will further limit availability of crude oil and supporting infrastructure for illegal exploitation in the area.

Location of discovery was Ogu VI axis of Rivers State.

Source: Nigerian Navy / Vanguard / NAN.