Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy has uncovered and neutralized a massive illegal petroleum products dump in Bonny, Rivers State, seizing over 105,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, illegal bunkering equipment, and substances suspected to be marijuana, while arresting eight suspects.
Operations Officer of the Forward Operating Base, FOB Bonny, Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, confirmed the operation in a statement, stressing that the breakthrough aligned with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s directive to curb crude oil theft and bunkering within the area.
“On Monday 18 August 2025, FOB Bonny anti-illegal refining Team were deployed for clearance operation within Ama-Omu Community. At the site, the team discovered a large wooden boat tied to a Jetty behind a building,” he said.
According to him, the wooden boat was laden with “7 x 5,000 litres plastic tanks filled with AGO. The tanks were connected to a hose that led into a compound. The team further accessed the compound and discovered 3 large sheds and 4 rooms within the building containing tanks and drums of varying sizes.”
The Navy listed the items recovered as six 10,000-litre Geepee plastic tanks, 18 units of 5,000-litre tanks, 138 units of 300-litre tanks, three 1,000-litre tanks, 15 kegs of 75 litres, pumping machines, metering machines, hoses, valves, and work tools.
“Pertinently, the products discovered at the site was cumulatively estimated to be about 105,450 litres of AGO. This quantity of products was denied criminal elements,” Almustapha stated.
The search also uncovered walkie-talkies, uniforms, charms, mobile phones, identity cards, documents, and items suspected to be marijuana.
“Furthermore, 8 suspects were arrested in connection with the products. The suspects had been handed over to the NSCDC and NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution,” the officer added.
Lt Cdr Almustapha noted that the activities violated the Miscellaneous Offences Act of 2004 and the Petroleum Act, stressing the safety risks.
“It is noteworthy that storing large quantity of AGO within a confined space in the midst of a built-up neighbourhood posed a safety risk on the Island. More worrisome is the presence of an electric pole with network of high-tension electric cables in the middle of one of the storage sheds.”
He explained that a single spark could trigger a fire capable of wiping out an entire neighbourhood.
“Additionally, there was no provision for fire extinguishers within the entire premises. The presence of the storage dump constituted grave danger and safety hazard to the inhabitants of Bonny Island,” he said.
Almustapha warned that the perpetrators flagrantly disregarded extant laws. “Thus, the action of the owner indicates blatant disregard for provisions of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Notably, lack of approval to deal with petroleum products contravenes extant laws and constitutes clear violation of the Miscellaneous Offences Acts of 2004,” he said.
He warned that anyone caught dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority faces jail terms of up to five years, fines of up to N20 million, or penalties running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Superintendent Sunday Omagu, commended the Navy for its proactive role.
He said, “The NSCDC will continue to maintain the cordial relationship in fighting crime, protecting national assets and denying criminal elements freedom of action.”
This article was originally posted at sweetcrudereports.com
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