Nigerian Navy troops operating under “Operation DELTA SENTINEL” have intercepted over 135,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and disrupted illicit fuel transportation networks on Rivers State waterways.
In a statement by the naval spokesman Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, he said the personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER made the recoveries during separate anti-crude oil theft operations around the Onne and Abonema general areas.
According to him, troops on routine patrol intercepted a fibre boat laden with drums and jerrycans containing suspected stolen AGO at the entrance of Owogono Creek in Ogu-Bolo local government area.
He said the boat and its approximately 63,000 litres of cargo were recovered after the operators abandoned them and fled into adjoining creeks.
In another operation, patrol teams operating around Abonema in Akuku-Toru local government area intercepted a wooden boat conveying approximately 72,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in several sacks.
He added that the products were being transported through the waterways for onward distribution before the operation disrupted the movement.
Captain Abiodun said the recoveries underscore the continued use of the region’s creek networks by criminal elements to transport and distribute illegally refined petroleum products.
He said all recovered products and associated conveyances were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed it’s commitment to sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks, disrupting illicit fuel supply chains, and protecting Nigeria’s economic assets within the maritime environment.
