Navy dismantles illegal fuel supply network, recovers 22,870 litres of diesel in Rivers State

By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA — The Nigerian Navy has dismantled an illegal fuel distribution network that operated through the creeks of Rivers State, seizing approximately 22,870 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in a major intelligence‑driven operation known as Operation Delta Sentinel.

Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information for the Nigerian Navy, announced the operation on Sunday, describing it as a significant blow to crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

He said the operation was carried out by personnel aboard the Nigerian Navy ship NNS SOROH, following credible intelligence about the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through creek corridors linking Rivers and Bayelsa states.

“Acting on credible intelligence, personnel of NNS SOROH were deployed to the Orashi Forest area of Okolomade Community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, bordering Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, after reports of suspected movement of illegally refined products,” he said.

Upon arrival, the naval patrol team intercepted a wooden boat carrying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined diesel along an adjoining creek.

To further exploit the intelligence, the Navy deployed a drone for aerial surveillance, which revealed additional stockpiles hidden under vegetation and inside ponds within the forest.

“A detailed search subsequently led to the recovery of an additional 45 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO hidden at different locations, bringing the total recovery to 81 sacks containing approximately 22,870 litres,” he stated.

He added that the intercepted wooden boat, which was allegedly used to transport the illicit petroleum products, was also seized, thereby disrupting the logistics network that supports illegal refining operations in the region.

According to the Navy spokesman, the recovered products and the wooden boat were handled in accordance with established anti‑crude oil theft procedures.

He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence‑driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to dismantle crude oil theft syndicates, deny criminal elements freedom of operation on Nigeria’s waterways, and safeguard the nation’s critical economic assets.

“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining intelligence‑driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to dismantle crude oil theft networks, deny criminal elements freedom of action across the nation’s waterways, and protect Nigeria’s strategic economic assets,” Folorunsho said.