The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a hidden illegal fuel storage facility in Rivers State, recovering about 11,800 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, during ongoing operations under Operation Delta Sentinel.
The discovery was made by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder as part of intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering across the Niger Delta.
According to the Navy, operatives from its Base Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team found 125 sacks containing suspected illegally refined diesel at the concealed storage site, which is believed to have served as a distribution point for criminal networks involved in the illicit petroleum trade.
The Navy said the operation dealt another blow to oil theft syndicates by disrupting a key logistics hub used to store and transport illegally refined petroleum products.
It added that the recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures for combating crude oil theft, stressing that the operation forms part of broader efforts to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure while weakening the activities of economic saboteurs.
The service reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to dismantle illegal refining camps, disrupt petroleum smuggling networks and safeguard the country’s maritime environment.
The latest seizure follows a series of recent operations in Rivers State. Days earlier, naval personnel uncovered an illegal crude oil storage site in Bonny Local Government Area, where approximately 20,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil were recovered from concealed pits.
In recent weeks, the Navy has also intercepted several consignments of suspected illegally refined petroleum products, including recoveries of 22,870 litres, 63,290 litres and 103,500 litres during separate anti-oil theft operations across the state.
Earlier this year, the Nigerian Navy announced that it had dismantled 22 illegal refining sites across Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. During those operations, more than 457,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products were recovered, while two vessels transporting 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil valued at over ₦4 billion were intercepted, leading to the arrest of 26 crew members.
The Navy said it will continue targeting illegal refining sites, storage facilities and distribution networks as part of efforts to curb crude oil theft and protect Nigeria’s economic resources.
