The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a concealed cache of suspected illegally refined petroleum products and recovered about 63,290 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, during an operation in Rivers State.
The operation, conducted under the ongoing Operation DELTA SENTINEL, also led to the interception of a vehicle believed to be part of an illicit fuel transportation network operating within the Niger Delta region.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Abiodun Folorunsho, director of Naval Information, the successful operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following actionable intelligence on the movement of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in the Orashi Forest corridor.
The Navy said naval operatives were deployed to the Okolomade Community axis in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State after receiving reports indicating the presence and movement of illegal fuel supplies in the area.
During the operation, the naval team intercepted a silver Toyota Camry suspected to have been used in conveying illegally refined diesel. A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the discovery of 17 sacks containing suspected illegally refined AGO.
The statement noted that further exploitation of the surrounding area uncovered several hidden storage locations concealed beneath dense vegetation within the forest.
“Subsequent ground searches resulted in the recovery of an additional 56 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO strategically dispersed 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 statement read.
The Navy said the discovery exposed a growing trend among operators of illegal refineries who are increasingly using forest corridors and hidden storage facilities to evade security agencies and move petroleum products into distribution networks.
According to the service, the operation successfully disrupted a key segment of the illicit petroleum supply chain, dealing another blow to economic saboteurs engaged in illegal refining and fuel trafficking.
“The recovered petroleum products were handled in line with existing regulations, while the intercepted vehicle has been secured for further investigation and necessary administrative action”, it added.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations across the Niger Delta under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, aimed at curbing crude oil theft, illegal refining activities and other forms of economic sabotage.
The service said it would continue to work towards protecting Nigeria’s critical economic assets and denying criminal elements the freedom to exploit the nation’s petroleum resources.
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