The Nigerian Navy has recorded another significant breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, uncovering a sophisticatedly concealed crude oil storage site and recovering approximately 17,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Delta State.
According to an official signed statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following credible intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of Delta State.
The statement revealed that the operation was supported by aerial surveillance assets, which enabled naval personnel to conduct a detailed search of the area. Although initial ground observations did not reveal any suspicious activity, further analysis of drone imagery exposed a large reservoir that had been deliberately concealed beneath leaves, wooden planks and dense vegetation in an attempt to evade detection.
Subsequent exploitation of the site led to the discovery of about 17,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil stored within the camouflaged reservoir. Investigators also found evidence indicating that the location had recently been used as a temporary storage facility within an illegal crude oil supply network.
The Navy noted that the discovery underscores the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by criminal elements involved in crude oil theft and related economic sabotage across the Niger Delta.
Despite these evolving tactics, the service emphasized that the integration of intelligence-driven operations, advanced surveillance technology and aerial reconnaissance continues to strengthen its capacity to identify, track and dismantle illicit oil theft networks.
According to the statement, the reservoir, recovered products and associated materials were handled in line with established operational procedures, thereby denying economic saboteurs access to resources intended to sustain further criminal activities.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining sustained pressure on crude oil theft syndicates through Operation DELTA SENTINEL, stressing that persistent surveillance, intelligence-led operations and coordinated enforcement actions remain critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure and protecting the nation’s economic interests.
