By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a major illegal petroleum distribution network in Rivers State following the interception of 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The operation, conducted by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, exposed a suspected creek-to-market supply route allegedly used by economic saboteurs to transport illicit petroleum products into commercial markets.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja and signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the seizure was made during a routine security patrol around the APS Limited Jetty in Woji, Rivers State.
According to the statement, naval operatives spotted a wooden boat attempting to discharge its cargo under suspicious circumstances, prompting an inspection of the vessel.
The inspection revealed that the boat was carrying about 375 sacks containing an estimated 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, believed to have originated from illegal refining camps concealed within the creeks of the Niger Delta.
The Nigerian Navy said the discovery uncovered a key transportation channel allegedly exploited by criminal networks involved in the movement of stolen petroleum products from remote refining locations to end users.
It noted that such illegal activities contribute to sustaining crude oil theft and illicit refining operations, while causing significant economic losses to the country.
The seized wooden boat and its cargo have been secured in line with established procedures for handling recovered products linked to crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, preventing the products from entering the legitimate supply chain.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening intelligence-led operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL aimed at dismantling networks involved in crude oil theft, illegal refining, transportation and distribution of illicit petroleum products across the Niger Delta region.
The statement added that the service would continue to intensify efforts to protect the nation’s oil resources and curb activities threatening the country’s economic stability.
