Navy Intercepts Stolen Petroleum Products in Calabar

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigerian Navy says it has intercepted stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) area in Calabar, Cross River State, during an operation aimed at tackling crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Captain A.A. Folorunsho, the interception was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel, following a directive by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for intensified operations against crude oil theft across Nigeria’s maritime domain. Personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, acting on credible intelligence about suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the products to a trailer park within the port facility.

The Navy said the suspected perpetrators fled on sighting the patrol team, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured.

A further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stored in drums and jerrycans. The recovered products have been evacuated to the naval base for further action in line with existing regulations.

The Navy says it will continue to intensify surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to combat crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage within Nigeria’s maritime domain.