Navy Discovers Illegal Fuel Depot, Seizes 87,000 Litres in Rivers
By Victor Idajili
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a hidden fuel storage facility and seized about 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel in Okarki, Rivers State.
The operation was carried out by personnel of NNS SOROH under Operation Delta Sentinel, the military’s ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.
In a statement on Sunday signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunso, the Navy said the discovery was made following credible intelligence.
“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,” the statement read.
According to the Navy, the hidden facility was being used to stockpile petroleum products. Equipment used for the illegal storage and handling of the products was also found at the site.
“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,” it added.
The Navy said the find shows how criminal networks keep setting up concealed storage and distribution points across the Niger Delta to keep the illicit trade going.
“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. 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,” the statement said.
The Federal Government has in recent months stepped up operations against oil theft, calling it a major threat to Nigeria’s economy and oil production targets.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Navy said the latest seizure underscores its resolve to protect national assets and support efforts to boost crude oil production and economic growth.
