The Nigerian Navy has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, recovered 63,290 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, and seizing a vehicle linked to the illicit trade in Rivers State.
The operation, carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, was executed by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following credible intelligence on the movement and storage of illegally refined petroleum products within the Orashi Forest corridor in Okolomade Community, Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the naval team 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 suspected product.
The statement disclosed that further exploitation of the area uncovered additional hidden stockpiles concealed under thick vegetation at various locations within the forest.
“Subsequent ground searches resulted in the recovery of an additional 56 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO strategically dispersed across the area,” the statement said.
In total, the operation led to the recovery of 73 sacks containing approximately 63,290 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, as well as the vehicle believed to have been used in transporting the products.
The Navy noted that the discovery underscored the growing tactics employed by economic saboteurs, who increasingly use forest corridors and concealed storage facilities to move illegally refined petroleum products from remote locations into distribution networks.
It added that the operation successfully disrupted a critical link in the illegal petroleum supply chain, thereby denying criminal elements the opportunity to profit from the nation’s resources.
The recovered products were handled in line with existing regulations, while the seized vehicle has been secured for further investigation and necessary action.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic assets, the Nigerian Navy said it would continue to sustain intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
Captain Folorunsho reiterated that the Service remains resolute in safeguarding the nation’s critical economic resources and ensuring that perpetrators of illegal petroleum-related activities are denied freedom of operation.
