The Nigerian Navy has said its operatives under Operation Delta Sentinel intercepted over 135,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, during separate operations in Rivers State waterways.
The Director of Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed that the operations were carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, around the Onne and Abonema axis.
According to him, the seizures were made during routine patrols aimed at curbing crude oil theft, illegal refining and unlawful transportation of petroleum products through creeks in the state.
Folorunsho said that in one of the operations, naval personnel intercepted a fibre boat at the entrance of Owogono Creek in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area. The boat was said to be carrying drums and jerrycans loaded with suspected stolen AGO.
He stated that the occupants of the boat abandoned it and fled into nearby creeks on sighting the naval patrol team, while the vessel and about 63,000 litres of the product were recovered.
In another operation around Abonema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Navy patrol teams intercepted a wooden boat conveying about 72,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in sacks.
The Navy said the products were being moved through the waterways for onward distribution before the operation disrupted the illegal movement.
Folorunsho noted that the recoveries showed the continued use of creek networks by criminal elements for illegal petroleum product transportation.
He added that all recovered items were handled in line with established procedures for anti-crude oil theft operations.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling illegal oil networks, combating crude oil theft and protecting Nigeria’s maritime economic assets.
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