Navy recovers 92,660 litres of illegal diesel, disrupts oil theft network in Rivers
By: Kingsley Omonobi
Operatives of the Nigerian Navy have recovered 92,660 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and disrupted an oil theft network operating along the Rivers–Bayelsa border corridor.
The operation, conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, led to the discovery of the products concealed in 138 sacks within creek-side locations in Rivers State.
Director of Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development on Saturday, saying the recovery followed credible intelligence and coordinated surveillance efforts.
According to him, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Soroh were deployed to Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, where aerial surveillance and follow-up search operations uncovered the hidden products.
Folorunsho said the operatives discovered about 138 sacks containing suspected illegally refined AGO concealed under vegetation and at various points along adjoining waterways.
He noted that the operation exposed the increasing use of hidden creek-side storage facilities by criminal syndicates involved in illegal petroleum activities.
“The operation highlights the growing use of concealed creek-side storage points by criminal networks involved in the illegal petroleum trade,” he said.
The Navy spokesman added that the recovered products were handled in line with existing regulations, preventing those behind the illegal activities from accessing resources intended to sustain their operations.
“The recovered products were subsequently handled in accordance with extant regulations, denying economic saboteurs access to resources intended to sustain illicit activities,” Folorunsho stated.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to intelligence-led operations aimed at combating crude oil theft and dismantling illegal petroleum distribution networks across the Niger Delta.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at disrupting crude oil theft and illegal petroleum distribution networks across the Niger Delta,” he added.
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