Navy recovers 17,000-litre crude oil from illegal storage site

The Director, Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho

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Personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta have exposed a camouflaged crude oil storage used to perpetrate crude oil theft in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

The naval personnel uncovered the illegal storage site during an operation code-named, Delta Sentinel, following intelligence received on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek area of Delta State.

A statement by the Director, Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, made this know on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the naval personnel, supported by aerial surveillance, initially carried out a 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 product suspected to be stolen crude oil stored within the camouflaged reservoir”, the statement added.

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The Director, Naval Information, added, “The site also showed clear indications of recent crude oil theft 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 statement maintained that the Nigerian Navy would remain 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 energy infrastructure and economic interests.

Dele Ogunyemi is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 25 years of experience in media practice. He began his career at Radio Nigeria, Ikoyi, Lagos, and has since held editorial positions across several provincial and national newspapers. His work reflects extensive newsroom expertise and a long-standing commitment to professional journalism standards.

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