Nigerian Navy uncovers illicit fuel supply route, seizes 103,500 litres of diesel
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted approximately 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, and uncovered a suspected illicit petroleum distribution route in Rivers State.
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted approximately 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, and uncovered a suspected illicit petroleum distribution route in Rivers State.
The development was disclosed by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, in a statement issued on Friday following an operation carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER.
According to the Navy, the seizure was made during routine security patrols around the APS Limited Jetty in Woji under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, a strategic anti-crude oil theft operation designed to combat illegal refining, petroleum theft and the movement of illicit petroleum products across the Niger Delta.
During the patrol, naval operatives noticed a wooden boat attempting to offload its cargo in circumstances that raised suspicion, prompting a closer inspection.
Subsequent checks revealed that the vessel was carrying about 375 sacks containing an estimated 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.
The Navy said the operation also exposed a suspected supply route used by oil thieves and illegal refiners to move products from hidden refining camps in the creeks to buyers and distributors in commercial centres.
According to the statement, the vessel and its contents were immediately taken into custody to prevent the products from reaching the market.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in crude oil theft, illegal refining and the transportation of stolen petroleum products.
Operation DELTA SENTINEL has emerged as one of the Navy’s key tools in tackling oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta.
It is believed that the large volumes recovered suggest that criminal syndicates are not only stealing crude oil from pipelines and facilities but are also operating sophisticated local refining networks capable of processing and distributing petroleum products on a significant scale.
The latest seizure is part of a broader crackdown by the Nigerian Navy on crude oil theft and illegal refining operations in the Niger Delta region.
The sustained operations form part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb oil theft, protect national revenue and disrupt criminal networks operating within Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.
