The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational breakthrough under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following the discovery of a concealed cache of suspected illegally refined petroleum products and the interception of a vehicle allegedly linked to an illicit fuel distribution network in Rivers State.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following credible intelligence on the movement of suspected illegally refined petroleum products within the Orashi Forest corridor in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of the state.
The statement said naval personnel deployed to the Okolomade Community axis of the local government area, where intelligence reports indicated the presence and movement of suspected illegal petroleum products.
During the operation, the naval team intercepted a silver Toyota Camry suspected to be conveying illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). A search conducted on the vehicle led to the recovery of about 17 sacks containing suspected illegally refined AGO.
Navy Recovers 73 Sacks of Illegal AGO in Rivers Operation
The Navy further disclosed that follow-up exploitation of the area uncovered additional stockpiles hidden under dense vegetation at various locations within the forest.
“Further exploitation of the area revealed additional concealed stockpiles hidden under thick vegetation at multiple locations within the forest,” the statement noted.
Subsequent ground searches led to the recovery of 56 more sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO strategically concealed across the area.
“In total, the operation led to the recovery of 73 sacks containing approximately 63,290 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, as well as the vehicle believed to have been used for transportation,” the Navy stated.
The service said the discovery underscores the growing tactics employed by criminal elements involved in illegal refining activities, particularly the use of forest corridors and concealed storage facilities to move petroleum products from remote locations into distribution channels.
According to the statement, the operation successfully disrupted “another critical link in the illicit petroleum value chain.”
The recovered products were handled in line with existing regulations, while the intercepted vehicle was secured for further necessary action.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the nation’s economic assets, the Nigerian Navy stated that it would continue intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other forms of economic sabotage.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to deny economic saboteurs freedom of action and protect Nigeria’s critical economic resources from criminal exploitation,” the statement added.
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