Navy Seizes More Than 135,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen AGO in Rivers State

By Kingsley Omonobi

PORT HARCOURT — The Nigerian Navy announced that its Operation Delta Sentinel teams have seized more than 135,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during separate patrols in Rivers State waterways.

Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Information, said the seizures were carried out by personnel aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder in the Onne and Abonema areas.

He explained that the intercepts occurred during routine patrols designed to curb crude oil theft and illegal fuel transport through the state’s creeks.

In one operation, naval forces boarded a fibre boat at the entrance of Owogono Creek in Ogu‑Bolo Local Government Area. The vessel was carrying drums and jerrycans of suspected stolen AGO. The occupants abandoned the boat and fled into nearby creeks, while the navy recovered the vessel and approximately 63,000 litres of the product.

In another operation near Abonema in Akuku‑Toru Local Government Area, patrol teams seized a wooden boat that was transporting about 72,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in sacks.

The navy said the products were being moved through waterways for further distribution before the operation disrupted the shipment.

Folorunsho said the recoveries underscore the continued use of creek networks by criminal groups to move petroleum products illegally.

He added that all seized items were processed in accordance with established anti‑crude oil theft procedures.

The navy reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence‑driven operations aimed at dismantling illegal oil networks and protecting Nigeria’s maritime economic interests.

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