The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a concealed crude oil storage facility allegedly used by oil thieves in the creeks of Delta State, recovering about 17,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil during a targeted operation in the Niger Delta.
The discovery was made by operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta during Operation Delta Sentinel, an ongoing campaign aimed at combating crude oil theft and protecting the nation’s critical energy infrastructure.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was launched following actionable intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of Delta State.
Folorunsho said naval personnel, supported by aerial surveillance assets, conducted a detailed search of the area after receiving intelligence reports.
He explained that although initial ground assessments did not reveal any obvious signs of illegal activity, further analysis of drone imagery exposed a sophisticated concealment operation.
According to him, investigators identified a large reservoir that had been freshly excavated and carefully hidden beneath leaves, wooden planks and dense vegetation to avoid detection by security agencies.
“Although the location initially appeared free of suspicious activity, further observation and analysis of drone imagery revealed a large freshly dug reservoir deliberately concealed beneath leaves, planks, wood, and thick vegetation to evade detection,” he said.
Subsequent examination of the site led to the recovery of approximately 17,000 litres of substances believed to be stolen crude oil stored within the hidden reservoir.
The Navy spokesman noted that evidence found at the location indicated recent crude oil theft activities and suggested that the site was being used as a temporary storage facility within a wider illegal crude oil supply network.
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“The discovery highlights the increasingly sophisticated concealment methods being adopted by criminal elements to sustain crude oil theft operations,” Folorunsho stated.
He added that the Nigerian Navy’s growing reliance on intelligence-led operations and aerial surveillance technology has significantly enhanced its capacity to detect and dismantle illegal oil bunkering activities across the Niger Delta.
According to the statement, the recovered products, storage reservoir and associated materials were handled in line with established operational procedures, effectively denying criminal elements access to resources intended to support further illicit activities.
Folorunsho reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining pressure on crude oil theft syndicates through continuous surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations.
He said Operation Delta Sentinel would continue to target criminal networks engaged in oil theft and other economic sabotage activities within the region.
Crude oil theft remains one of the most significant challenges confronting Nigeria’s petroleum industry, contributing to substantial revenue losses, reduced oil production and environmental degradation across host communities.
Security agencies have repeatedly warned that criminal groups are increasingly deploying sophisticated techniques, including concealed storage facilities, illegal pipeline connections and underground reservoirs, to siphon and transport stolen crude oil.
The latest discovery underscores ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to curb oil theft, safeguard national assets and protect Nigeria’s economic interests in the Niger Delta region.