Navy seizes 22,870 litres of illegal diesel in Rivers crackdown

The Nigerian Navy has dealt a blow to illegal oil refining activities in the Niger Delta after recovering about 22,870 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, during an intelligence-driven operation in Rivers State.

Details of the operation were contained in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho.

According to the statement, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH carried out the mission under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in the Orashi Forest around Okolomade Community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers. The location shares a boundary with Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Folorunsho said the operation followed credible intelligence that suspected illegally refined petroleum products were being transported through the creeks.

“On arrival, the patrol team intercepted a wooden boat conveying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) along an adjoining creek.

“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,” he said.

The naval spokesman added that the operation also deprived those behind the illicit trade of a wooden boat used to move the products through the waterways.

He explained that both the recovered petroleum products and the vessel were processed in accordance with established procedures for tackling crude oil theft, dealing another setback to the logistics chain supporting illegal refining operations in the Niger Delta.

Folorunsho reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to sustain intelligence-based operations aimed at dismantling crude oil theft syndicates, restricting the activities of criminals on the nation’s waterways and safeguarding Nigeria’s critical economic resources.