The Nigerian Navy has recovered approximately 1,600 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil popularly known as diesel, during an anti-illegal refining operation in Rivers State.
The recovery was made by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following intelligence reports on illicit refining activities in the area.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation was carried out at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, close to the Bayelsa border.
“The operation took place at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, near the border with Bayelsa,” Folorunsho stated.
According to him, members of the Navy’s Anti-Crude Oil Theft team were deployed to the Orashi Forest area, where aerial surveillance using an unmanned system helped operatives uncover concealed sacks believed to contain illegally refined diesel.
“The Anti-Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the Orashi Forest area, where aerial surveillance using an unmanned system led to the discovery of concealed sacks suspected to contain illegally refined AGO,” he said.
Folorunsho explained that naval personnel recovered 16 sacks, each containing about 100 litres of the product, bringing the estimated total to 1,600 litres.
“Naval personnel recovered 16 sacks containing about 100 litres each, totalling approximately 1,600 litres of the product,” he added.
The Navy spokesperson noted that suspects involved in the illegal activity fled upon sighting security personnel, while the recovered products were handled in accordance with operational guidelines.
“The suspects fled on sighting naval personnel, while the recovered items were handled in line with operational procedures,” Folorunsho said.
He said the operation reflects the Navy’s continued efforts to dismantle illegal refining camps and combat crude oil theft across the Niger Delta region.
“There will be no safe haven for economic saboteurs,” he warned, adding that sustained operations are ongoing across waterways and creeks nationwide to tackle oil theft and related crimes.
