A camouflaged crude oil storage facility used to steal crude oil from the Niger Delta's creeks has been discovered by members of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta. Following information on suspected crude oil theft activities in the Ugbokodo Creek region of Delta State, the naval forces discovered the illicit storage site during an operation code-named Delta Sentinel. This was revealed on Wednesday in a statement by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information. The statement said that the naval forces first searched the region with the use of aircraft surveillance.
“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 product suspected to be stolen crude oil stored within the camouflaged reservoir," the statement added.
The Director, Naval Information, added, “The site also showed clear indications of recent crude oil theft and was assessed to have served as a temporary storage point within an illicit supply network.“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.