The Nigerian Navy has announced that, under the framework of Operation Delta Sentinel, it has maintained its offensive against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities. This was evidenced by the recovery of approximately 1,600 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during an intelligence-led operation in Rivers State.
A statement issued by Captain A. Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, indicated that the operation was carried out by personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Soroh, following credible intelligence regarding the movement and concealment of illegally refined petroleum products within the Okolomade Community in the Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, which borders the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The statement noted that, acting promptly on the intelligence received, the Anti-Crude Oil Theft (Anti-COT) team was deployed to the Orashi Forest area. Aerial surveillance conducted using an unmanned system led to the discovery of several sacks believed to contain illegally refined AGO, which were concealed beneath grasses in the forest.
Subsequent exploration of the area resulted in the recovery of 16 sacks, each containing approximately 100 litres, culminating in an estimated total of 1,600 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO.
“The suspects fled the scene upon noticing naval personnel, and no arrests were made. The recovered products were subsequently evacuated and managed in accordance with established operational procedures,” the statement elaborated.
The operation highlights the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing commitment under Operation Delta Sentinel to dismantling illegal refining networks and preventing economic saboteurs from operating freely within the maritime and coastal environment.
The Nigerian Navy reiterated that there will be no refuge for criminal elements involved in crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage, as ongoing operations are structured to ensure that such individuals have no respite across the nation’s waterways and adjacent creeks.