Personnel of the Nigerian Navy ship (NNS) on Wednesday, June 17, recorded another operational success under Operation Delta Sentinel as they uncover concealed crude oil storage site used for illegal oil theft activities in the Niger Delta.
The operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel following actionable intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of Delta State.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in Warri on Wednesday, June 17.
Folorunsho said the location initially appeared free of suspicious activity, but further observation and analysis of drone imagery revealed a large freshly dug reservoir concealed beneath leaves, planks, wood and thick vegetation.
“Although the location initially appeared free of suspicious activity, further observation and analysis of drone imagery revealed a large freshly dug reservoir deliberately concealed beneath leaves, planks, wood and thick vegetation to evade detection,” he said.
The naval personnel subsequently uncovered about 17,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil stored within the camouflaged reservoir.
The site showed clear indications of recent crude oil theft activities and was assessed to have served as a temporary storage point within an illicit supply network.
Folorunsho said the discovery highlighted the increasingly sophisticated concealment methods adopted by criminal elements involved in crude oil theft.
He added that intelligence-led operations and aerial surveillance continue to strengthen the Nigerian Navy’s capacity to detect and disrupt illegal activities in the region.
The reservoir, recovered products and associated materials were handled in line with operational procedures, denying economic saboteurs access to resources intended to support further criminal activities.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining pressure on crude oil theft networks under Operation Delta Sentinel through persistent surveillance, intelligence-driven operations and coordinated actions aimed at protecting Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure and economic interests,” he further stated
Crude oil theft remains a major challenge in the Niger Delta, contributing to revenue losses and environmental degradation across the region.
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