Navy rescues three people from a capsized boat in Warri.

…Recovers 63,290 Litres of Illegal Fuel in Rivers

By Kingsley Omonobi

The Nigerian Navy rescued three passengers from a capsized boat on the Bennett River in Warri, Delta State, and seized more than 63,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in separate operations under Operation Delta Sentinel.

Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy’s Director of Information, announced the developments on Monday in Abuja.

He said that crew of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta carried out the rescue during a routine maritime security patrol intended to safeguard the nation’s waterways.

Folorunsho explained that the patrol team spotted distressed passengers and floating debris from a capsized boat, signalling an ongoing maritime emergency.

“Naval personnel immediately launched a search‑and‑rescue operation and successfully recovered the three victims, while also salvaging valuable items from the wreckage,” he said.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the boat capsized because of severe weather conditions and rough waves caused by a heavy rainstorm.

The rescued passengers were taken to the NNS Delta Sick Bay, where they received medical attention before being discharged after their condition stabilised.

Folorunsho noted that the successful operation highlights the Navy’s role not only as a maritime security force but also as a first responder during emergencies on the nation’s waterways.

He added that sustained naval patrols remain critical to enhancing maritime safety, protecting lives and providing timely assistance to waterway users in distress.

In a separate operation in Rivers State, the Navy achieved another breakthrough by recovering a large cache of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and intercepting a vehicle believed to be linked to an illicit fuel distribution network.

Folorunsho said that personnel of the NNS SOROH acted on credible intelligence and deployed to the Okolomade Community area in Abua‑Odual Local Government Area, where suspected illegal petroleum products were reportedly being moved through the Orashi Forest corridor.

During the operation, the team intercepted a silver Toyota Camry suspected of transporting illegally refined AGO.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 17 sacks containing the suspected product. Further searches revealed additional stockpiles concealed under thick vegetation at different locations within the forest.

According to the Navy spokesman, subsequent ground operations recovered 56 more sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO.

“In total, the operation led to the recovery of 73 sacks containing approximately 63,290 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, as well as the vehicle believed to have been used for transportation,” he said.

Folorunsho explained that the discovery underscored the growing use of forest corridors and hidden storage facilities by criminal elements seeking to move illegally refined petroleum products into distribution channels.

He said the operation disrupted a critical segment of the illicit petroleum supply chain.

The recovered products were handled in line with existing regulations, while the intercepted vehicle was secured for further investigation.

Folorunsho reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to intelligence‑driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel, aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.