The Nigerian Navy has seized about 22,870 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. This happened during an operation in Rivers State, part of Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The operation was led by personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship, SOROH. They worked in the Orashi Forest area of Okolomade Community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, the Director of Naval Information, shared this news in an operational report released on Sunday in Abuja.
Folorunsho explained that the operation started after they received reliable information about the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through creeks near Ogbia Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.
The naval patrol team found a wooden boat carrying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO in a nearby creek. "On arrival, the patrol team intercepted a wooden boat conveying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) along an adjoining creek," he said.
To gather more information, the team used a drone for aerial surveillance. This helped them spot more hidden stockpiles under plants and in ponds in the area.
Folorunsho said, "To further exploit the intelligence, aerial surveillance was conducted using a drone, leading to the identification of additional concealed stockpiles hidden under vegetation and inside ponds within the general area."
After a thorough search, they found an extra 45 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO hidden in different spots. This brought the total to 81 sacks, containing about 22,870 litres.
He mentioned that the operation also stopped criminals from using the seized wooden boat to move illegally refined petroleum products.
He added that the seized products and the boat were managed according to anti-crude oil theft procedures. This disrupted the supply chain for illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
Folorunsho confirmed the Nigerian Navy's commitment to continuing operations based on intelligence. They aim to break down networks involved in crude oil theft, prevent criminals from operating in Nigeria's waterways, and protect the country’s key economic resources.
Operation DELTA SENTINEL is one of the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Navy to fight against crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other maritime crimes in the Niger Delta. The operation includes gathering intelligence, conducting water patrols, and using aerial surveillance to disrupt criminal networks that harm Nigeria's economy and protect its oil and gas infrastructure.
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