The Nigerian Navy has stepped up its fight against crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta. They found a hidden fuel storage site and recovered about 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in the Okarki area of Rivers State.
This recent operation took place under Operation Delta Sentinel. This is the military's ongoing effort to break down illegal refining sites, disrupt crude oil theft rings, and protect important oil infrastructures in the Niger Delta.
The Federal Government has increased security actions against crude oil theft in recent months. They see this issue as a big threat to Nigeria's economy and oil production goals.
The military has often stated that ongoing operations are meant to shut down illegal refining camps, catch oil thieves, and protect important oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta.
A statement from the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunso, was released on Sunday. It noted that this discovery comes as security agencies continue their coordinated fight against economic sabotage in the oil-rich region. Illegal refining and crude oil theft have remained serious problems, even with repeated efforts by the military and other security agencies.
According to the Navy, personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH carried out the operation after getting reliable intelligence.
The statement said, "The Nigerian Navy has kept up its fight against crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering under Operation DELTA SENTINEL. This led to the disruption of a hidden fuel storage site and the recovery of around 87,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Okarki area of Rivers State."
"Acting on reliable intelligence, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH conducted an anti-crude oil theft operation in the area. This led to the discovery of a hidden storage site used for the illegal stockpiling of petroleum products."
The facility held products believed to be illegally refined AGO and equipment connected to the unlawful storage and handling of petroleum products.
The Navy also said this operation led to the recovery of a large amount of suspected illegally refined petroleum products.
They stated, "The operation resulted in the recovery of about 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO. The recovered products and related items were handled according to existing operational guidelines."
The service mentioned that this discovery showed the methods used by criminal groups involved in illegal refining and petroleum product distribution in the Niger Delta.
"The finding highlights the constant efforts of criminal networks to set up hidden storage and distribution points in the Niger Delta to keep the illegal petroleum products trade going. By identifying and destroying such facilities, the Nigerian Navy continues to disrupt the logistics that support crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other forms of economic sabotage," the Navy said.
Reaffirming its commitment to fighting oil theft, the Navy emphasized its determination to protect national resources and support the country's economic growth.
They added, "This success highlights the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to preventing economic saboteurs from operating freely while safeguarding critical national resources and backing the Federal Government’s efforts to boost crude oil production and economic growth."
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