The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational breakthrough under Operation Delta Sentinel, intercepting stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) area in Calabar, Cross River State.
The interception followed a renewed directive by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for intensified operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
According to a press statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Captain A.A. Folorunsho, personnel of Operation Delta Sentinel from Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory acted on credible intelligence regarding the suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval team was said to have swiftly deployed to the area and traced the suspected stolen products to a trailer park within the port facility.
Folorunsho disclosed that on sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, prompting security personnel to cordon off the area and secure the illegally siphoned products.
A subsequent inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), which were stored in drums and jerrycans.
“The recovered products have since been evacuated to the Base for further necessary action in accordance with extant regulations,” the statement said.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the operational momentum of Operation Delta Sentinel through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations targeted at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage within the country’s maritime environment.
The latest interception underscores the Nigerian Navy’s continued efforts to safeguard national assets and curb illicit activities in the maritime sector
