The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational success under Operation DELTA SENTINEL with the interception of two wooden boats conveying about 15,500 litres of petroleum products suspected to be stolen crude oil and siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the Okrika waterways of Rivers State.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER following credible intelligence on the movement of suspected stolen petroleum products within its area of operations.
During a night patrol, the Navy’s Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team intercepted a wooden boat abandoned by suspected oil thieves, who reportedly fled into the surrounding creeks on sighting the naval patrol. A search of the vessel led to the recovery of several sacks containing about 12,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
The patrol was later extended to adjoining waterways, where operatives intercepted a second wooden boat loaded with 10 drums and seven 50-litre jerrycans containing about 3,500 litres of products suspected to be siphoned PMS.
The Navy said the interceptions highlight the continued use of inland waterways by criminal networks to transport illegally obtained petroleum products through concealed creek routes.
It noted that by targeting these movement corridors, the service continues to disrupt the logistics chain sustaining crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other maritime crimes in the Niger Delta.
According to the statement, the recovered boats and petroleum products have been secured in line with established operational procedures, while surveillance across the area has been intensified to identify additional routes and networks supporting the illicit trade.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure, safeguard the nation’s maritime domain, and deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within the Niger Delta.
