The Nigerian Navy, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, has uncovered a concealed fuel storage facility and recovered about 87,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Okarki area of Rivers State.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the operation was conducted by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following credible intelligence.
According to him, the anti-crude oil theft operation led to the discovery of a hidden storage facility used for the illegal stockpiling of petroleum products.
“The anti-crude oil theft operation led to the discovery of a hidden storage facility used for the illegal stockpiling of petroleum products, where products suspected to be illegally refined AGO and equipment associated with the unlawful storage and handling of petroleum products were recovered,” he said.
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Captain Folorunsho stated that the operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, adding that the recovered products and associated items were handled in accordance with established operational procedures.
He noted that the discovery highlights the continued efforts of criminal networks to establish concealed storage and distribution points across the Niger Delta in a bid to sustain the illicit petroleum products trade.
“The discovery underscores the continued efforts of criminal networks to establish concealed storage and distribution points within the Niger Delta to sustain the illicit petroleum products trade.
“By identifying and dismantling such facilities, the Service is degrading the logistics infrastructure that supports crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage,” Captain Folorunsho explained
The Captain further stated that, “The successful operation further demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate while protecting critical national assets and supporting the Federal Government’s drive to increase crude oil production and stimulate economic growth”.
He therefore reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime environment, protect oil and gas infrastructure, and ensure that perpetrators of economic crimes are denied the means to undermine the nation’s prosperity.
