Nigerian Navy Recovers 63,290 Litres of Illegal Diesel, Vehicle in Rivers Operation

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has recovered approximately 63,290 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and a vehicle linked to an illicit petroleum distribution network in Rivers State.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the seizure was made during an intelligence-led operation conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in the Okolomade Community axis of Abua-Odual Local Government Area of the state.

The statement said personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH acted on credible intelligence indicating the movement of suspected illegally refined petroleum products within the Orashi Forest corridor.

During the operation, naval personnel intercepted a silver Toyota Camry suspected to be transporting illegally refined AGO. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 17 sacks containing the product.

Further exploitation of the area uncovered additional stockpiles concealed under dense vegetation at several locations within the forest. Subsequent searches resulted in the recovery of another 56 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO strategically hidden across the area.

In total, 73 sacks containing an estimated 63,290 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO were recovered, alongside the vehicle believed to have been used in transporting the products.

The Navy said the operation exposed the growing use of forest corridors and concealed storage sites by criminal elements seeking to move illegally refined petroleum products from remote locations into distribution channels.

It noted that the seizure disrupted a critical segment of the illicit petroleum supply chain and underscored ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft, illegal refining and related economic crimes in the Niger Delta region.

The recovered products were handled in accordance with existing regulations, while the vehicle was secured for further investigation and necessary action.

The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting Nigeria’s critical economic assets and denying economic saboteurs freedom of operation.