Navy busts illegal fuel depot, seizes 87,000 litres in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, uncovering a concealed fuel storage facility and recovering about 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in the Okarki axis of Rivers State.

The latest operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel, the military’s ongoing campaign aimed at dismantling illegal refining sites, disrupting crude oil theft networks and protecting critical national oil infrastructure across the Niger Delta.

The Federal Government has in recent months intensified security operations against crude oil theft, describing the menace as a major threat to Nigeria’s economy and oil production targets.

The military has repeatedly said sustained operations under various security initiatives are aimed at dismantling illegal refining camps, arresting oil thieves and safeguarding critical oil and gas infrastructure across the Niger Delta.

A statement signed and released by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunso, on Sunday, stated that the discovery comes as security agencies continue to sustain coordinated operations against economic sabotage in the oil-rich region, where illegal refining and crude oil theft have remained major challenges despite repeated crackdowns by the military and other security agencies.

According to the Navy, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH carried out the operation after acting on credible intelligence.

The statement partly read, “The Nigerian Navy has sustained its offensive against crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering under Operation DELTA SENTINEL with the disruption of a concealed fuel storage facility and the recovery of approximately 87,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Okarki axis of Rivers State.

“Acting on credible intelligence, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH conducted an anti-crude oil theft operation within the area, leading to the discovery of a hidden storage facility used for the illegal stockpiling of petroleum products.

“The facility contained products suspected to be illegally refined AGO as well as equipment associated with the unlawful storage and handling of petroleum products.”

The Navy also disclosed that the operation led to the recovery of a large quantity of suspected illegally refined petroleum products.

It stated, “The operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO. The recovered products and associated items were handled in accordance with extant operational procedures.”

The service noted that the discovery further exposed the tactics employed by criminal networks involved in illegal refining and petroleum product distribution across the Niger Delta.

“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 Navy said.

Reaffirming its commitment to combating oil theft, the Navy said the operation underscored its resolve to protect national assets and support the country’s economic growth.

It added, “This success underscores the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate while protecting critical national assets and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance crude oil production and economic growth.”