By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian Navy has sustained its offensive against crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering under Operation DELTA SENTINEL with the disruption of a concealed fuel storage facility and the recovery of approximately 87,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Okarki axis of Rivers State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
According to the statement, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH conducted an anti-crude oil theft operation within the area, leading to the discovery of a hidden storage facility used for the illegal stockpiling of petroleum products.
The facility contained products suspected to be illegally refined AGO, as well as equipment associated with the unlawful storage and handling of petroleum products.
The operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO The recovered products and associated items were handled in accordance with extant operational procedures.
“The discovery further highlights the persistent efforts of criminal networks to establish concealed storage and distribution points within the Niger Delta to sustain the illicit petroleum products trade,” Captain Folorunsho stated.
“By identifying and dismantling such facilities, the Nigerian Navy continues to degrade the logistics infrastructure that supports crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage.”
He added that the success underscores the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate while protecting critical national assets and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance crude oil production and economic growth.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime environment, protect oil and gas infrastructure, and ensure that perpetrators of economic crimes are denied the means to undermine the nation’s prosperity,” the statement concluded.
