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

The Nigerian Navy has significantly intensified its campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, successfully uncovering a concealed fuel storage facility and seizing a substantial quantity of petroleum products. The operation, conducted in the Okarki area of Rivers State, resulted in the recovery of approximately 87,000 liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), believed to be illegally refined.

This latest bust is part of 'Operation Delta Sentinel,' a military initiative aimed at dismantling illegal refining sites, disrupting oil theft networks, and protecting critical national oil infrastructure across the ecologically sensitive Niger Delta region. The Nigerian government has recently escalated security operations against oil theft, identifying it as a major impediment to the nation's economic stability and oil production targets.

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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.

According to a statement released by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunso, the discovery was made by personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, acting on credible intelligence. The operation disrupted a hidden storage facility used for the illegal stockpiling of petroleum products and uncovered equipment associated with unlawful storage and handling.

The Navy reiterated its commitment to sustained offensive operations against economic sabotage in the oil-rich region. Despite repeated crackdowns by security agencies, illegal refining and crude oil theft have persisted as major challenges. The recovered products and associated items were handled in accordance with established operational procedures, underscoring the Navy's adherence to protocol during these critical anti-crime missions.

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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.