The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational breakthrough under Operation Delta Sentinel with the discovery of a hidden cache of suspected illegally refined petroleum products and the interception of a vehicle linked to an illicit fuel distribution network in Rivers State.
In a statement issued by Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, the Navy disclosed that acting on credible intelligence, personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh were deployed to the Okolomade community axis in Abua Odual Local Government Area.
According to the statement, intelligence reports had indicated suspicious movement of illegally refined petroleum products within the Orashi Forest corridor.
During the operation, security personnel intercepted a silver coloured Toyota Camry suspected to be transporting illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.
“A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of about 17 sacks containing suspected illegally refined AGO,” the statement said, adding that, “Further exploitation of the area revealed additional concealed stockpiles hidden under thick vegetation at multiple locations within the forest.”
The statement further revealed that follow up ground operations uncovered an additional 56 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO strategically hidden across the forest.
In total, the operation resulted in the recovery of 73 sacks containing approximately 63,290 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, along with the vehicle believed to have been used for transportation.
The Navy noted that the discovery underscores the growing tactics employed by criminal networks, particularly the use of forest corridors and concealed storage facilities to move illegally refined petroleum products from remote areas into distribution channels.
“The operation therefore disrupted another critical link in the illicit petroleum value chain.
“The recovered products were handled in accordance with extant regulations, while the vehicle was secured for further necessary action,” the statement added.
