The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a camouflaged crude oil storage site and recovered about 17,000 litres of suspected stolen crude in Delta State. The discovery was made under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship NNS DELTA.

According to an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation followed actionable intelligence on suspected oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis. Naval personnel, supported by aerial surveillance and drone imagery, conducted a detailed search of the area.

Although the location initially showed no visible signs of illegal activity, further analysis revealed a freshly dug reservoir deliberately concealed beneath leaves, wooden planks and thick vegetation to avoid detection. Subsequent exploitation of the site confirmed the reservoir contained approximately 17,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil. The site also showed clear signs of recent theft activity and was assessed to serve as a temporary storage point within an illicit supply network.

Captain Folorunsho said the discovery reflects increasingly sophisticated concealment methods being used by criminals to sustain crude oil theft operations. He added that intelligence-led operations and aerial surveillance continue to strengthen the Navy’s capacity to detect and disrupt such illegal activities.

The reservoir, recovered products and related materials were handled in line with extant operational procedures, denying economic saboteurs access to resources meant to support further criminal activities.

Source: Daily Nigerian, Gazette NG, Emporium Reporters.