Navy Seizes 22,870 Litres of Illicit Diesel During Rivers Operation

The Nigerian Navy has halted the trafficking of illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers State through an intelligence‑driven operation known as Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

An operational report was released by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, on Sunday in Abuja.

Folorunsho explained that the operation was carried out by personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, which was deployed to the Orashi Forest area of Okolomade Community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers.

He noted that the area borders the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, where the naval team conducted the intelligence‑led operation.

According to him, the team acted on credible intelligence that indicated the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through creek channels in the region.

“On arrival, the patrol team intercepted a wooden boat carrying 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) along an adjoining creek,” he said.

“To further exploit the intelligence, aerial surveillance was conducted using a drone, which identified additional concealed stockpiles hidden under vegetation and inside ponds within the general area.”

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

Folorunsho added that the operation also prevented criminal elements from using the intercepted wooden boat to transport illicit petroleum products.

He said the recovered products and the wooden boat were handled in accordance with existing anti‑crude oil theft procedures, further disrupting the logistics network that supports illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

The naval spokesman reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence‑driven operations aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks, denying criminal elements freedom of action on the nation’s waterways and protecting Nigeria’s strategic economic assets.