The Nigerian Navy has intercepted approximately 22,870 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, during an intelligence-led operation in Rivers State under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in an operational report issued on Sunday in Abuja.
According to him, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH carried out the operation in the Orashi Forest area of Okolomade Community, Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, near the border with Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Folorunsho said the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through creek channels in the area.
He explained that the patrol team intercepted a wooden boat transporting 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined diesel along a creek.
To expand the operation, the naval team deployed a drone for aerial surveillance, which uncovered additional stockpiles concealed beneath vegetation and inside ponds.
A thorough search led to the recovery of 45 more sacks of suspected illegally refined diesel hidden at different locations, bringing the total seizure to 81 sacks containing about 22,870 litres.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of the wooden boat used to transport the illicit products, dealing a further blow to the logistics network supporting illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
Folorunsho said the recovered products and the boat were handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks, restricting the activities of economic saboteurs on the nation’s waterways, and protecting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas assets.
Source: NAN
