(SINL NIGERIA) The Nigerian Navy has recorded another major operational success under Operation DELTA SENTINEL with the discovery of a concealed crude oil storage facility and the recovery of approximately 17,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Delta State.
SINL NIgeria Online reports that the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA following credible intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis in the state.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said the operation was supported by aerial surveillance assets, which played a critical role in identifying the illegal storage site.
“Although initial ground assessments indicated no suspicious activity within the area, detailed analysis of drone imagery revealed a large freshly excavated reservoir carefully concealed beneath leaves, wooden planks, logs, and thick vegetation to evade detection.
“Further exploitation of the site led to the discovery of about 17,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil stored within the camouflaged reservoir..
“Investigations also revealed evidence of recent crude oil theft activities, suggesting that the location served as a temporary storage point within an illicit crude oil supply network” the statement said.
The Navy noted that the discovery underscores the increasingly sophisticated methods being employed by criminal elements involved in crude oil theft across the Niger Delta.
However, it emphasized that the continued integration of intelligence-driven operations and advanced aerial surveillance capabilities has significantly enhanced its capacity to detect and dismantle illegal oil theft networks.
It continued: “The recovered products, reservoir, and associated materials were handled in line with established operational procedures, effectively denying economic saboteurs access to resources intended to sustain further criminal activities”.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic assets, the Nigerian Navy stated that it will continue to intensify efforts under Operation DELTA SENTINEL through persistent surveillance, intelligence-led operations, and coordinated enforcement actions aimed at protecting the nation’s critical energy infrastructure.
