Navy Finds 25,000 Litres of Suspected Crude Oil in Oteghele

The Nigerian Navy says it has uncovered about 25,000 litres of a substance suspected to be crude oil, hidden in a dugout reservoir in the Oteghele general area of Delta.

 

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in an operational report on Friday. He said the operation built on the navy's recent success against crude oil theft in the area.

 

According to Folorunsho, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA made the discovery on Thursday after acting on credible intelligence.

 

He said the reservoir and its contents were handled in accordance with established procedures.

 

The navy spokesman said the latest recovery brought the total quantity of suspected crude oil uncovered by NNS DELTA in Oteghele over two consecutive days to 65,000 litres. The unit had earlier discovered about 40,000 litres in the same area on Wednesday.

 

Folorunsho said the back-to-back operations showed why the navy must keep up pressure on sites suspected of being used to store illicit petroleum resources.

 

"The successive operations highlight the importance of maintaining pressure on locations used for suspected storage of illicit petroleum resources.

 

"Through these interventions, the Nigerian navy is reinforcing its resolve to deny criminal operators the opportunity to exploit petroleum resources unlawfully," he said.

 

He reaffirmed the navy's commitment to sustaining operations that protect Nigeria's critical economic assets.