By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational success under Operation
DELTA SENTINEL with the discovery of a concealed crude oil storage site used
to support crude oil theft activities within the Niger Delta.
Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the
Director, Naval Information of the Nigerian Navy disclosed this in a statement signed on Tuesday.
The operation was conducted by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA following actionable intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of Delta State.
Supported by aerial surveillance, naval personnel carried out a meticulous
search of the area.
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.
Subsequent exploitation of the site uncovered approximately 17,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil stored within the camouflaged
reservoir.
The site also showed clear indications of recent crude oil theft activity and was assessed to have served as a temporary storage point within an illicit
supply network.
The discovery highlights the increasingly sophisticated concealment methods
being adopted by criminal elements to sustain crude oil theft operations.
However, the integration of intelligence-led operations and aerial surveillance
capabilities continues to enhance the Nigerian Navy’s ability to detect and
disrupt such illegal activities.
The reservoir, recovered products, and associated materials were handled in
accordance with extant operational procedures, effectively 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.
