Nigerian Navy Uncovers Hidden Fuel Storage Facility, Recovers 87,000 Litres of Suspected Illegal Diesel in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering, uncovering a concealed fuel storage facility and recovering about 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.

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

According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH conducted the intelligence led operation, which led to the discovery of the hidden storage facility used for the illegal stockpiling of petroleum products.

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

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

The Navy noted that the discovery highlights the continued efforts of criminal syndicates to establish concealed storage and distribution points across the Niger Delta to sustain the illicit petroleum trade.

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

The statement further reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy's commitment to denying economic saboteurs the freedom to operate while protecting critical national assets and supporting the Federal Government's drive to boost crude oil production and economic growth.

"The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to safeguard Nigeria's maritime environment, protect oil and gas infrastructure, and ensure that perpetrators of economic crimes are denied the means to undermine the nation's prosperity," the statement added.

The latest operation is part of the Navy's sustained offensive against oil theft and illegal refining activities, which continue to threaten Nigeria's economy and the security of its oil-producing communities.