The Nigerian Navy has recorded another significant breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against crude oil theft with the discovery of a concealed crude oil storage site and the recovery of approximately 17,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Delta State.
The successful operation was conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA following credible intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed that the operation was supported by aerial surveillance, which played a critical role in identifying the illicit facility.
According to him, although initial searches of the area 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 thick vegetation to evade detection by security agencies.
“The concealed reservoir was subsequently exploited by naval personnel, leading to the recovery of approximately 17,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil,” the statement said.
Folorunsho noted that the site showed clear signs of recent crude oil theft activities and was believed to have served as a temporary storage facility within an illegal supply chain operated by economic saboteurs.
He stated that the discovery highlights the increasingly sophisticated methods being employed by criminal networks involved in crude oil theft across the Niger Delta.
The Navy spokesperson, however, emphasized that the integration of intelligence-led operations and advanced aerial surveillance capabilities has continued to strengthen the Nigerian Navy’s ability to detect, disrupt, and dismantle illegal oil theft networks.
According to the statement, the reservoir, recovered products, and other associated materials were handled in line with established operational procedures, effectively denying criminal elements access to resources intended to support further illicit activities.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining ongoing operations against crude oil theft under Operation DELTA SENTINEL through persistent surveillance, intelligence-driven missions, and coordinated actions aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure.
The latest success underscores the Navy’s resolve to combat economic sabotage and protect national assets in the Niger Delta region, a key hub of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
