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Navy foils crude oil theft attempt, NSCDC stops pipeline vandalism – EnviroNews
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The Nigerian Navy has foiled an attempted crude oil theft targeting critical oil infrastructure in Bonny, Rivers State, reinforcing ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas assets from economic saboteurs.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said in an operational report on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that the operation was conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
According to the report, FOB Bonny personnel intercepted a fibre boat operating under suspicious circumstances near a wellhead close to the Renaissance African Energy Company Ltd. (RAECL) Oloma Flow Station.
The naval spokesperson said the occupants abandoned the boat and fled on sighting the patrol team, prompting a search that uncovered equipment commonly used for wellhead tampering and pipeline vandalism activities.
He said items recovered included a portable generator, cutting and grinding machines, chisels, spanners, cutlasses and other accessories believed to have been assembled to compromise the wellhead and siphon crude oil.
Adams-Aliu said follow-up operations conducted in collaboration with other security agencies led to the arrest of one suspect linked to the attempted sabotage, while efforts continued to apprehend other members.
He added that the recovered fibre boat had been secured as part of ongoing investigations into the incident and the activities of the criminal network behind the operation.
According to him, the operation successfully prevented an attack on critical oil infrastructure, denying criminal elements the opportunity to cause economic losses and environmental damage through sabotage activities.
The naval spokesman reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets, combating crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In a related development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has foiled an attempted pipeline vandalism operation in Obazagbon Community, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Saidi Akintayo, disclosed this in Benin on Friday, July 17, 2026.
According to him, operatives of the command’s Anti-Vandal Unit also recovered equipment allegedly used by suspected vandals.
He said the operatives, who were working with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo Governor on Pipeline Security and Surveillance, intercepted the suspects.
The NSCDC boss said the suspects were intercepted during a routine patrol along the NNPC pipeline corridor at about 1:00 p.m. on Thursday.
“The operatives encountered a group of suspected vandals excavating and vandalising the pipeline.
“On sighting our operatives, the suspects opened fire in a desperate attempt to escape.
“Our personnel responded professionally, forcing the criminals to abandon the operation and flee into the surrounding bush,” Akintayo said.
He said items recovered from the scene included five long gas cylinders, two motorcycles, two shovels and two digger heads.
The commandant described the operation as another major breakthrough in the command’s sustained efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure.
He, however, warned criminal elements and their sponsors to stay away from oil and gas facilities, stressing that the corps remained committed to safeguarding critical infrastructure.
“Our operatives are already on the trail of the fleeing suspects. They cannot evade justice forever.
“We are committed to apprehending everyone connected with this criminal act, including their sponsors and collaborators, and ensuring they face the full weight of the law,” he said.
Akintayo appealled to residents of Edo to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information that would help prevent pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities.
He assured the public that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The commandant reaffirmed the commitment of the NSCDC to working with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect critical national assets and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
By Kennedy Sheyin and Usman Aliyu
