The Nigerian Navy says it has continued to intensify pressure on illegal petroleum networks operating within the Niger Delta following the discovery of a concealed fuel stockpile along the Rivers–Bayelsa border corridor.
The discovery, according to statement signed by Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, was made during ongoing operations under Operation Delta Sentinel by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, SOROH, after intelligence reports indicated suspicious movement of illegally refined petroleum products around Okarki Community waterside in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
On deployment to the area, the statement said that naval personnel employed aerial surveillance, which exposed multiple sacks concealed within dense vegetation along the creek environment. Further exploitation of the location led to the recovery of approximately 3,800 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, stored in 38 sacks.
He said the operation highlights the growing reliance of illegal fuel networks on isolated creek corridors and concealed transit points to temporarily warehouse products before onward movement through illicit distribution channels.
Folorunsho said that although no arrests were made as the operators fled the area before troops closed in on the location, the recovered products were secured and handled in accordance with operational procedures.
The Nigerian Navy noted that ongoing operations under Operation Delta Sentinel are increasingly focused on restricting the movement architecture sustaining illegal petroleum activities across the Niger Delta, adding that it includes sustained surveillance of creek corridors, disruption of hidden storage points, and denial of operational mobility to criminal elements.
It said the service remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets and safeguarding the maritime environment from economic sabotage.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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