The Nigerian Navy has intercepted approximately 22,870 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during an intelligence-led operation in Rivers State under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
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.
Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development in an operational report issued on Sunday in Abuja.
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According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence indicating the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through creek channels bordering Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Folorunsho said naval operatives intercepted a wooden boat conveying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO along an adjoining creek.
“On arrival, the patrol team intercepted a wooden boat conveying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) along an adjoining creek,” he said.
He explained that the operation was expanded through aerial surveillance using a drone, which helped identify additional concealed stockpiles hidden beneath vegetation and inside ponds within the forest area.
“To further exploit the intelligence, aerial surveillance was conducted using a drone, leading to the identification of additional concealed stockpiles hidden under vegetation and inside ponds within the general area.
“A detailed search subsequently led to the recovery of an additional 45 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed at different locations, bringing the total recovery to 81 sacks containing approximately 22,870 litres,” Folorunsho added.
The Navy spokesman said the operation also prevented criminal elements from using the intercepted wooden boat to transport illegally refined petroleum products.
He noted that the recovered products and the seized boat were processed in accordance with existing anti-crude oil theft procedures, thereby disrupting logistics channels supporting illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
Folorunsho reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks, denying criminal elements freedom of operation and protecting the nation’s critical economic assets.
Operation DELTA SENTINEL is one of the Navy’s ongoing campaigns against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other maritime crimes in the Niger Delta, combining intelligence gathering, waterborne patrols and aerial surveillance to safeguard Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
