The Nigerian Navy has made a significant discovery in its fight against crude oil theft, uncovering 119,850 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen, as well as 350 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 25 parcels of suspected Cannabis sativa. The find was made at an illegal refining site in Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation Delta Sentinel.
According to Navy spokesman, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the discovery was made following credible intelligence on the location. The suspected stolen crude oil was found in five dugout pits, while the suspected illegally refined AGO was recovered in six sacks. Fortunately, no arrest was made as the suspects fled on sighting the naval personnel. The recovered products and suspected illicit substances were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
This latest success is part of a larger effort by the Nigerian Navy to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta. It comes shortly after the conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court in Uyo, following their arrest during a Nigerian Navy-led operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL. The operation combines sustained maritime and riverine interdictions with intelligence-led action to disrupt the illicit trade.
The impact of the operation is being felt, with the Navy degrading the infrastructure supporting the illicit trade while strengthening the chain from detection and interdiction to prosecution and conviction. The Navy's efforts are aimed at curbing the theft of Nigeria's natural resources and protecting the environment from the harmful effects of illegal refining.
Meanwhile, an Energy Expert, Dr Joseph Obele, has called on the Federal Government and the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to urgently restart the government-owned refineries. He believes that this would help in curbing the rising cost of petroleum products. Obele, who is also the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), notes that restoring functional government-owned refining capacity would increase domestic supply and reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Obele expressed concern over the continued rise in crude oil prices amid ongoing tensions involving the United States and Iran and concerns around the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that sustained supply risks could continue to put pressure on global petroleum prices, which would have a wider economic impact, particularly on transportation, food, medical services, and other essential commodities.
The call to restart the government-owned refineries comes as Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of high petroleum prices. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is reportedly selling in the range of ₦1,400–₦1,500 per litre in some locations, while Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) is selling above ₦2,000 per litre. Obele emphasized that the objective should not be to undermine private-sector refineries but to ensure that all viable refining assets—government and private—contribute to national energy security, adequate supply, and a competitive downstream petroleum market.
Key points
- The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 119,850 litres of stolen crude oil and 350 litres of illegally refined AGO at an illegal refining site in Rivers State.
- The discovery was made by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH under Operation Delta Sentinel following credible intelligence on the location.
- An Energy Expert, Dr Joseph Obele, has called on the Federal Government to urgently restart the government-owned refineries to curb the rising cost of petroleum products.
