The navy has intensified its crackdown on economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, dismantling a black-market fuel supply network in Rivers State under ‘Operation DELTA SENTINEL’.
Key Highlights:
- The Nigerian Navy carried out an anti-oil theft operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in Rivers State.
- Naval personnel discovered an illegal fuel storage facility in the Okrika area of the state.
- About 123,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel (AGO) stored in 410 drums were seized.
- The fuel was reportedly moved from illegal refining sites and kept for distribution through black-market networks.
- The navy said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft and illegal petroleum activities in the Niger Delta.
According to a statement issued on May 15, 2026, by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER uncovered a major storage facility during anti-crude oil theft patrols within the Okrika general area.
The operation, carried out around Okochiri Kingdom in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, led to the discovery of 410 drums containing approximately 123,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Preliminary findings indicated that the products were transported from illegal refining sites outside the community and stored in the warehouse for onward distribution through illicit fuel supply networks.
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The navy said the discovery highlights a growing trend in which operators of illegal petroleum businesses are shifting from open refining camps to concealed storage and distribution systems in an attempt to evade ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations.
The seized products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, while surveillance and further assessments in the area are continuing.
The navy stated that ongoing operations under ‘Operation DELTA SENTINEL’ remain targeted at dismantling the logistics and supply chains sustaining crude oil theft, illegal refining, and black-market petroleum distribution across the Niger Delta region.
The service also reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led operations aimed at protecting critical national assets and denying economic saboteurs freedom of operation within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
