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 initiative aimed at combating illegal refining, petroleum theft, and the movement of illicit petroleum products across the Niger Delta.
During the patrol, naval operatives observed a wooden boat attempting to offload its cargo under suspicious circumstances, prompting a closer inspection.
Subsequent checks revealed that the vessel was transporting about 375 sacks containing an estimated 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.
The Navy said the discovery pointed to an organised effort to move illicit petroleum products from remote creek locations into commercial distribution channels.
“This indicated an organised effort to move illicit petroleum products from remote creek locations into commercial distribution channels,” the statement noted.»
The operation also exposed a suspected supply route allegedly used by oil thieves and illegal refiners to transport 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 entering the market.
“The wooden boat and its cargo were subsequently secured and handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, thereby preventing the products from entering the supply chain,” the Navy stated.”
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations targeted at dismantling criminal networks involved in crude oil theft, illegal refining, and the transportation of stolen petroleum products.
