The Nigerian Navy says it has intensified operations against illegal petroleum activities in the Niger Delta following the discovery of a concealed cache of suspected illegally refined fuel along the Rivers–Bayelsa border corridor.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by the director of Naval Information. Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the discovery was made during ongoing operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, following intelligence reports of suspicious movements around Okarki Community waterside in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to the Navy, operatives deployed to the area conducted aerial surveillance which revealed multiple sacks hidden within dense vegetation along the creek environment.
The Navy said further exploitation of the location led to the recovery of about 3,800 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, stored in 38 sacks.
The statement noted that the discovery reflects the increasing use of isolated creek corridors and concealed transit points by illegal fuel networks to temporarily store petroleum products before transporting them through illicit distribution channels.
Although no arrests were made during the operation, the Navy said the suspects fled the area before troops arrived at the location. It added that the recovered products were secured and handled in line with operational procedures.
“The Nigerian Navy notes that ongoing operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL are increasingly focused on restricting the movement architecture sustaining illegal petroleum activities across the Niger Delta,” the statement said.
It added that the operations include sustained surveillance of creek corridors, disruption of hidden storage points, and denial of operational mobility to criminal elements involved in economic sabotage.
The Navy reiterated its commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets and safeguarding the maritime environment.
