Navy Discovers 17,000 Litres Of Suspected Stolen Crude In Delta

Nigerian Navy uncovers camouflaged storage site containing 17,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Delta State operation.

Operatives of Nigerian Navy Ship, Delta, (NNS Delta) have discovered a camouflaged crude oil storage site used to perpetrate crude oil theft activities in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

The naval breakthrough was recorded during an operation, code-named “Delta Sentinel”. It followed “actionable intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of Delta State”.

Director, Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in statement obtained by THISDAY Wednesday revealed that naval personnel, supported by aerial surveillance, initially carried out a meticulous search of the area.

Folorunsho stated, “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.

“Subsequent exploitation of the site uncovered approximately 17,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil stored within the camouflaged reservoir.”

Folorunso disclosed that the site also showed clear indications of recent crude oil theft activity and was assessed to have served as a temporary storage point within an illicit supply network.

He stated, “The discovery highlights the increasingly sophisticated concealment methods being adopted by criminal elements to sustain crude oil theft operations.

“However, the integration of intelligence-led operations and aerial surveillance capabilities continues to enhance the Nigerian Navy’s ability to detect and disrupt such illegal activities.

“The reservoir, recovered products, and associated materials were handled in accordance with extant operational procedures, effectively denying economic saboteurs access to resources intended to support further criminal activities.”

He assured that the Nigerian Navy remained committed to sustaining pressure on crude oil theft networks under operation Delta Sentinel through persistent surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and coordinated actions aimed at protecting Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure and economic interests.

Crude oil theft has remained a persistent challenge in the Niger Delta, contributing significantly to national revenue losses and environmental degradation.

Criminal networks often use sophisticated concealment methods, including underground reservoirs and illegal pipeline connections, to siphon and store stolen crude.