By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Navy has recovered about 22,870 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in Rivers State as part of its ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through creek channels in the state.
Folorunsho said personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH deployed to the Orashi Forest area of Okolomade Community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, bordering Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
He said the patrol team intercepted a wooden boat conveying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO along an adjoining creek.
The naval spokesman added that aerial surveillance using a drone led to the discovery of additional stockpiles concealed under vegetation and inside ponds within the area.
He stated that a detailed search resulted in the recovery of another 45 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO, bringing the total to 81 sacks containing approximately 22,870 litres.
Folorunsho said the operation also denied criminal elements the use of the intercepted wooden boat for transporting illicit petroleum products.
According to him, the recovered products and the wooden boat were processed in line with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures, further disrupting the logistics chain supporting illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling crude oil theft syndicates, denying criminal groups operational freedom on Nigeria’s waterways and protecting the country’s economic assets.
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