Precious Anga
Lagos — The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a concealed crude oil storage site in the Niger Delta and recovered about 17,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in a continued crackdown on oil theft under Operation Delta Sentinel.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said in a statement that the operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta following credible intelligence on suspected theft activities around Ugbokodo Creek in Delta State.
According to him, the operation was supported by aerial surveillance, which initially showed no visible activity at the location. However, further drone analysis revealed a carefully hidden reservoir concealed beneath vegetation, wood, planks and leaves.
The Navy explained that the site was deliberately camouflaged to evade detection and was used as a temporary storage point within an organised crude oil theft network.
Subsequent search operations led to the recovery of approximately 17,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil from the concealed structure.
The statement noted that the discovery reflects the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by oil thieves in the region, but also highlights the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led and technology-driven naval operations.
The recovered crude oil and associated materials were secured and handled in line with standard operational procedures.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations under Operation Delta Sentinel, aimed at protecting critical national assets and disrupting oil theft networks across the Niger Delta through coordinated surveillance and intelligence-based interventions.
