The Nigerian Navy says it has dismantled a black-market fuel supply ring in Okrika, Rivers State, as part of ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER uncovered a warehouse around Okochiri Kingdom in Okrika Local Government Area containing 410 drums loaded with about 123,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The Navy said preliminary investigations revealed that the products were likely transported from illegal refining sites outside the community and stockpiled for onward distribution through illicit supply networks.
Folorunsho noted that the discovery reflects a growing trend where operators of illegal petroleum businesses are shifting from traditional refining camps to concealed storage and distribution systems in a bid to evade security operations.
He added that the products were handled in line with existing anti-crude oil theft procedures, while surveillance and further assessments in the area are ongoing.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven operations targeted at dismantling the logistics and supply chains supporting crude oil theft, illegal refining, and illicit petroleum distribution across the Niger Delta.
