By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Navy has sustained its offensive against crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering under Operation DELTA SENTINEL with the interception of approximately 17,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.
Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the
Director Naval Information disclosed this in a statement.
The interception was made by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER during ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations within its Area of Operation. The operation led to the interception of a speedboat conveying the suspected illegally refined petroleum product along the Onne/Okrika waterways.
The recovered speedboat and the suspected illegally refined AGO were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those connected with the illegal activity.
The latest operational success further demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to disrupting the illicit petroleum supply chain, denying economic saboteurs freedom of action and protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure from criminal exploitation.
The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to combat crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage, while safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and supporting national economic security.
