Navy Intercepts 103,500 Litres of Suspected Illegal Diesel in Rivers

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted approximately 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, during an operation in Rivers State.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the discovery was made by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

The statement said the interception occurred during a routine security patrol around the APS Limited Jetty in Woji, where naval personnel observed a wooden boat attempting to discharge its contents under suspicious circumstances.

Further inspection revealed that the vessel was carrying about 375 sacks containing an estimated 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.

The Navy said preliminary findings indicated that the products were being transported through waterways from illegal refining camps for distribution into commercial markets.

According to the statement, the operation exposed a suspected creek-to-market supply route used by criminal networks involved in the illegal petroleum trade.

The wooden boat and its cargo were secured and handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, preventing the products from entering the supply chain.

The Navy reiterated its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling networks involved in crude oil theft, illegal refining and the transportation of illicit petroleum products across the Niger Delta region.