Jane Salihu
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft with the disruption of a creek-based illegal fuel transportation network in Rivers State, recovering about 22,870 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
The operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following credible intelligence on the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through waterways in the Niger Delta.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the naval team was deployed to the Orashi Forest area of Okolomade Community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, which borders Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
During the operation, the patrol team intercepted a wooden boat transporting 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO along an adjoining creek.
To expand the operation, the Navy deployed a drone for aerial surveillance, which uncovered additional concealed stockpiles hidden beneath vegetation and inside ponds within the area.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of 45 more sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO at different locations, bringing the total haul to 81 sacks containing approximately 22,870 litres of the product.
The intercepted wooden boat, believed to have been used in transporting the illicit petroleum products, was also seized, further disrupting the logistics chain supporting illegal refining activities in the region.
The Navy said the recovered products and the wooden boat were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s oil assets, the Nigerian Navy said it would continue to sustain intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle crude oil theft networks, deny criminal elements freedom of operation across the nation’s waterways, and safeguard the country’s strategic economic resources.
