Nigerian Navy Recovers 22,870 Litres of Illegal Diesel, Disrupts Oil Theft Network in Rivers

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has recovered 22,870 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and disrupted a creek-based oil theft network during an intelligence-led operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in Rivers State.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH in the Orashi Forest area of Okolomade Community, Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, bordering Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, following credible intelligence on the movement of illegally refined petroleum products.

The statement said the patrol team intercepted a wooden boat conveying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO along a creek. To expand the operation, troops deployed a drone for aerial surveillance, which identified additional concealed stockpiles hidden under vegetation and inside ponds within the area.

A comprehensive search led to the recovery of another 45 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO, bringing the total seizure to 81 sacks containing about 22,870 litres. The Navy also confiscated the wooden boat used to transport the illicit products, further disrupting the logistics network supporting illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

The Navy said the recovered products and the seized boat were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures. It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle crude oil theft syndicates, deny criminal elements freedom of operation on Nigeria’s waterways and safeguard the nation’s economic assets.