By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on illegal petroleum activities in the Niger Delta following the discovery of a concealed stockpile of suspected illegally refined fuel along the Rivers–Bayelsa border corridor.
According to an official signed statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the discovery was made during ongoing operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh.
The statement disclosed that the operation followed intelligence reports indicating suspicious movement of illegally refined petroleum products around the Okarki Community waterside in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Naval personnel deployed to the area reportedly conducted aerial surveillance, which exposed multiple sacks hidden within dense vegetation along the creek environment.
Further exploitation of the location led to the recovery of about 3,800 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil stored in 38 sacks.
The Nigerian Navy said the discovery underscored the growing dependence of illegal fuel syndicates on isolated creek corridors and concealed transit points used as temporary storage locations before onward distribution through illicit supply networks.
Although no arrests were made, as the suspects reportedly fled the scene before troops arrived, the recovered products were secured and processed in line with operational procedures.
The Navy stated that ongoing operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL are increasingly focused on dismantling the movement networks sustaining illegal petroleum activities across the Niger Delta.
According to the statement, the operation includes sustained surveillance of creek corridors, disruption of hidden storage facilities, and denial of operational mobility to criminal elements involved in economic sabotage.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets and safeguarding the maritime environment from illegal oil activities.
