The Nigerian Navy has intensified its efforts to combat crude oil theft and other illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta region. According to an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, the navy has recovered 33,800 liters of petroleum products in Rivers State. This recovery was made possible through the sustained pressure exerted by the navy under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The operation, led by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, was conducted on Friday in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo Community. The sites were found to be processing and storing stolen crude oil and other petroleum products.
The recovered products include 28,520 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 5,280 liters of stolen crude oil. In addition to the petroleum products, the navy also discovered 48 sacks, three dugout pits, two kegs, and three cooking drums used for storage and processing. The perpetrators fled the area upon sighting naval personnel, and no arrests were made.
The operation reflects the efficiency of the navy’s strategy of persistent surveillance, intelligence-led operations, and targeted disruption of the infrastructure and networks that sustain crude oil theft. According to Capt. Folorunsho, the navy’s strategy aims to deny criminal networks the freedom of action and protect critical oil and gas infrastructure.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, has directed formations and units to maintain pressure on the criminal network. He instructed personnel to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure and create a more secured operating environment for legitimate economic activities in the Niger Delta. This directive underscores the navy’s commitment to combating crude oil theft and other related crimes.
The Nigerian Navy’s Operation DELTA SENTINEL has been instrumental in disrupting the activities of crude oil thieves and other criminal networks in the Niger Delta region. The operation has led to the recovery of large quantities of stolen petroleum products and the deactivation of several illegal refining sites.
The navy’s efforts to combat crude oil theft have contributed significantly to the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure. The recovery of 33,800 liters of petroleum products is a testament to the navy’s commitment to securing the Niger Delta region and denying criminal networks the freedom of action.
Key points
- The Nigerian Navy recovered 33,800 liters of stolen petroleum products in Rivers State as part of Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
- The operation led to the deactivation of two illegal refining sites and the discovery of equipment used for storage and processing.
- The navy’s strategy of persistent surveillance and intelligence-led operations has been instrumental in disrupting crude oil theft and related crimes.
