The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, disrupting a concealed fuel storage facility and recovering about 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, in Rivers State.

The operation, carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, took place in the Okarki axis of Rivers State following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected oil thieves operating in the area.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, stated in a statement that personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH conducted an anti-crude oil theft operation that led to the discovery of a hidden storage facility used for the illegal stockpiling of petroleum products.

Folorunsho said the facility contained products suspected to be illegally refined AGO as well as equipment used for the unlawful storage and handling of petroleum products.

He disclosed that about 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO were recovered during the operation, adding that the products and associated items were handled in line with established operational procedures.

The navy noted that the discovery underscores the persistent efforts of criminal syndicates to establish concealed storage and distribution points across the Niger Delta to sustain the illicit petroleum products trade.

According to the statement, dismantling such facilities is critical to weakening the logistics network that supports crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage.

“The discovery further highlights the persistent efforts of criminal networks to establish concealed storage and distribution points within the Niger Delta to sustain the illicit petroleum products trade.

“By identifying and dismantling such facilities, the Nigerian Navy continues to degrade the logistics infrastructure that supports crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage,” the statement said.

The Navy described the latest operation as a demonstration of its determination to deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate while protecting critical national assets.

It added that the sustained offensive aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to boost crude oil production, safeguard oil and gas infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.

Reaffirming its commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime environment, the Nigerian Navy said it would continue to sustain intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to combat crude oil theft and other economic crimes in the nation’s waterways.

The service stressed that it remains resolute in ensuring that perpetrators of economic sabotage are deprived of the means to undermine Nigeria’s economic prosperity.