The Nigerian Navy’s Operation Delta Sentinel has uncovered a massive stockpile of illegally refined petroleum products and deactivated an illegal refining site in Rivers State.

Operatives attached to Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, acting on credible intelligence and supported by aerial surveillance, conducted a targeted anti-crude oil theft operation around the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area, a statement by the Director of Naval Information (DINFO), Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said Thursday night.

According to the Navy, the operation led to the discovery of approximately 30,000 litres of suspected illegally-sourced crude oil and 138,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), stored in reservoirs, refining facilities and over 1,200 sacks concealed across the area for onward distribution.

Preliminary findings, the service said, indicated that the site was reactivated by criminal elements despite previous enforcement actions, underscoring the persistent efforts of oil theft syndicates to regenerate illegal refining infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

It said the operation disrupted a significant fuel distribution network linked to economic sabotage in the region, adding that all products and associated facilities were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.

The Navy said it remained committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks and protecting Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure. (The Nation)