FORWARD OPERATING BASE BONNY SUSTAINS ANTI-CRUDE OIL THEFT OPERATIONS TO DETER OIL THIEVES WITHIN ITS AREA OF OPERATIONS.
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Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY, in continuation of its sustained aggressive patrols, surveillance and intelligence-driven operations to deter crude oil theft (COT), illegal refining and other forms of maritime criminality within its Area of Operations (AOO), on Friday, 2 October 2026, led a joint operation to destroy an illegal refining site (IRS) discovered within Promise Land Community, along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
The operation followed credible intelligence which led to the discovery of an illegal refining site within the aforementioned location. The site was found to contain a large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks, suspected to have been installed for the illegal refining and storage of products derived from stolen crude oil.
Following the discovery, the CO FOB BONNY, Capt SMC Umeh, on Friday, 2 October 2026, led a joint team comprising personnel from FOB BONNY, 146 Battalion NA, Joint Intelligence and Monitoring Centre (JIMC DHQ) Port Harcourt, Special Prosecution Team of the Office of the National Security Adviser (SPT-ONSA) and members of the media to the location for the destruction of the illegal refining site.
On arrival at the site, the team conducted an assessment of the illegal refining infrastructure and confirmed the presence of the identified equipment and facilities associated with the illegal refining of crude oil. The operation was thereafter conducted in accordance with extant regulations and established operational procedures. Consequently, the illegal refining site, including the identified facilities and equipment, was destroyed in line with extant regulations.
The successful operation has further disrupted activities associated with crude oil theft and illegal refining within the area and is expected to deny criminal elements the opportunity to utilise the location for further illicit activities. The CO FOB BONNY reiterated the Base’s commitment to denying criminal elements freedom of action within Bonny Island and its environs. He further reaffirmed the Base’s resolve to effectively execute the Chief of the Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive aimed at eradicating crude oil theft and other forms of maritime and oil-related criminality within the Niger Delta region.
FOB BONNY will sustain intensified surveillance and monitoring, aggressive patrols and intelligence-driven operations within its AOO, particularly around identified waterways and locations considered vulnerable to crude oil theft and illegal refining activities. The Base will also maintain close coordination with sister Services, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders towards safeguarding the nation’s critical maritime and oil assets, while sustaining its zero-tolerance posture towards crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of criminality within its AOO.
OPERATIONAL VISIT BY DEEP BLUE DELEGATION TO FORWARD OPERATING BASE BONNY.
On Wednesday, 30 Sep 26, at about 1105 delegation from the Deep Blue Project, led by Cdre SO Ohunenese, paid an operational visit to Forward Operating Base Bonny (FOB BONNY). The visit was primarily aimed at formally introducing the newly appointed Head of the Deep Blue Project to the Base, Mrs Aisha Idris, as well as interacting with and assessing the Deep Blue personnel deployed to the Base.
The delegation was received and conducted to the Base Conference Room, where the CO FOB BONNY provided an overview of the operational environment within the Base’s Area of Operations (AOO). The CO also highlighted the roles and responsibilities of the deployed Deep Blue personnel and provided an appraisal of their performance and contributions to the Base’s maritime security operations.
The interaction provided an opportunity for the delegation to assess the deployed personnel in terms of their operational readiness, discipline, professional conduct and challenges. It also afforded the delegation a better understanding of the personnel’s operational environment and areas requiring further support. Overall, the conduct, commitment and professionalism of the Deep Blue personnel were assessed as satisfactory and commendable.
Additionally, the visit provided a useful platform for strengthening the existing relationship between the Deep Blue Project and FOB BONNY, while fostering closer coordination and cooperation towards the effective conduct of maritime security operations within the Base’s AOO.
NNS JUBILEE RESCUES TWO KIDNAPPED VICTIMS, RECOVERS STOLEN OUTBOARD ENGINES IN IBENO.
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee has rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an anti-sea robbery and kidnapping operation conducted in the Ibeno General Area of Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
The operation followed a report received at about 0750 hours by the NNS Jubilee Maritime Quick Response Team (MQRT), Ibeno, concerning the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines.
Following the report, the MQRT, in conjunction with community surveillance personnel and the Asawana Mobile Police (MOPOL) patrol team, immediately mobilised to the area to counter the criminal activities.
During the patrol, the Nigerian Navy gunboat sighted and engaged two suspected criminal boats. The encounter forced the suspected criminals to divert into nearby creeks in an attempt to evade the security forces.
In the ensuing operation, the fleeing criminals abandoned one of the larger boats containing stolen outboard engines and two kidnapped victims. The victims and recovered items were subsequently escorted to the jetty at Ibeno.
The Local Government Area Chairman thereafter encouraged owners of the recovered outboard engines to provide proof of ownership to facilitate the recovery of their property.
Efforts are currently ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The operation further demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to safeguard the nation’s maritime domain and protect fishermen and other legitimate users of the waterways from criminal activities.
The success of the operation was also attributed to the effective collaboration among the Nigerian Navy, community surveillance personnel and other security agencies operating in the area.
NNS Jubilee has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive patrols and coordinated operations aimed at curbing sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime criminality within its Area of Operations.