Nigerian Navy foils suspected sabotage plot in Niger Delta creeks

The Nigerian Navy says it has discovered a suspected criminal camp and recovered ammunition and materials used for making explosives in the creek areas between Rivers and Bayelsa states.

The Navy said the camp may be linked to hostile activities taking place in the Rivers-Bayelsa waterways, where security patrols have recently been increased.

In a statement released by the Navy’s Director of Information, Commodore Abiodun Folorunsho, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS SOROH, made the discovery during an operation in the Soku area.

According to him, naval officers became suspicious after noticing unusual movements by people travelling in a speedboat powered by a 200-horsepower engine.

The boat was reportedly carrying six people dressed in uniforms that could not be verified as it moved from Sangama Community towards the Russia Community Creek near Olowaseri in Bayelsa State.

The Navy said the suspects later dropped off three people in a suspicious manner before speeding away into nearby creeks.

Folorunsho explained that the strange movement led naval officers to launch a patrol operation to investigate further.
During the search, officers discovered a hidden camp inside the creek.

They recovered 50 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition hidden inside a water container, along with other items believed to be used for illegal activities.

Other items recovered included old vehicle batteries, electrical wires, and containers filled with unidentified foul-smelling substances tied with red straps.

The Navy said early findings suggest some of the materials could be used to make improvised explosive devices or for pipeline vandalism and sabotage.

According to the statement, the camp and some of the items found there were destroyed to stop criminals from using them again, while the recovered ammunition and selected materials have been kept for further investigation.