In a major success in the fight against oil theft, the Nigerian Navy in an intelligence-led operation recovered 81 sacks of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel in Rivers state.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation also disrupted the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through the creek corridors and denied suspected oil thieves the use of a wooden boat used for transporting the products.
He said the operation was launched following reports of suspected movement of illegally refined petroleum products within the area.
According to him, the recovery was made under Operation Delta Sentinel by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, who acted on credible intelligence in the Orashi Forest area of Okolomade Community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, bordering Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.
He said the patrol team initially intercepted a wooden boat conveying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO along an adjoining creek.
To further exploit the intelligence, the Navy deployed a drone for aerial surveillance, which led to the discovery of additional stockpiles concealed under vegetation and inside ponds within the area.
“A detailed search subsequently led to the recovery of an additional 45 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed at different locations, bringing the total recovery to 81 sacks containing approximately 22,870 litres,” the statement said.
He added that that the recovered products and the intercepted wooden boat were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, effectively disrupting the logistics chain supporting illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta. He urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to sustain the fight against crude oil theft and safeguard the nation’s strategic economic assets.