By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on illegal petroleum activities in the Niger Delta following the discovery of a concealed fuel stockpile along the Rivers–Bayelsa border corridor.
The discovery was made during ongoing operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH after intelligence reports revealed suspicious movement of illegally refined petroleum products around the Okarki Community waterside in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Naval operatives deployed to the area conducted aerial surveillance, which exposed multiple sacks hidden within dense vegetation along the creek corridor. Further exploitation of the location led to the recovery of about 3,800 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stored in 38 sacks.
According to the Navy, the operation underscores the tactics increasingly adopted by illegal fuel syndicates, which rely on isolated creek routes and concealed transit points to temporarily store products before distributing them through illicit channels.
Although no arrests were made, as suspects reportedly fled before troops arrived at the scene, the recovered products were secured in line with operational procedures.
The Navy said ongoing operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL are focused on dismantling the logistics networks sustaining illegal petroleum activities across the Niger Delta. The operations include sustained surveillance of creek corridors, disruption of hidden storage facilities, and restriction of operational movement for criminal elements.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets and safeguarding the maritime environment from economic sabotage.
