The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on illegal petroleum activities in the Niger Delta following the discovery of a concealed cache of suspected illegally refined fuel along the Rivers–Bayelsa border corridor.
The discovery was made during ongoing operations under Operation Delta Sentinel by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH after intelligence reports revealed suspicious movement of illegally refined petroleum products around the Okarki Community waterside in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Naval operatives deployed to the area reportedly carried out 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 (AGO) stored in 38 sacks.
According to Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director Naval Information, the operation underscores the evolving tactics of illegal fuel syndicates, which now rely on isolated creek corridors and concealed transit locations to temporarily store products before moving them through illicit distribution networks.
Although no arrests were made as the suspects fled before troops reached the site, the recovered products were secured and handled in line with operational procedures.
The Navy said ongoing operations under Operation Delta Sentinel are increasingly targeting the movement networks sustaining illegal petroleum activities across the Niger Delta, including surveillance of creek corridors, disruption of hidden storage facilities, and restriction of operational mobility for criminal elements.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at protecting critical national assets and safeguarding the maritime environment from economic sabotage.
