The Nigerian Navy has recovered 92,660 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, during an operation targeting illicit petroleum activities along the Rivers–Bayelsa border corridor.
The recovery was made under Operation Delta Sentinel following intelligence-led operations conducted by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH in Okolomade Community, Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, troops acting on credible intelligence carried out aerial surveillance and follow-up search operations that led to the discovery of about 138 sacks containing suspected illegally refined AGO.
The products were reportedly concealed under thick vegetation and hidden at various locations along adjoining waterways in an apparent attempt to evade detection by security agencies.
Folorunsho said the operation exposed the growing trend of criminal networks using remote creek-side storage points to stockpile illegally refined petroleum products for onward distribution.
He noted that the recovered products were handled in accordance with existing regulations, effectively denying economic saboteurs access to resources used to sustain illegal petroleum operations.
The Navy reiterated its commitment to intensifying intelligence-driven operations across the Niger Delta to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage threatening the nation’s oil and gas sector.
Operation Delta Sentinel is one of the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing security initiatives aimed at protecting critical national assets and disrupting criminal activities within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
