The Nigerian Navy has recovered an estimated 52,600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, and other materials intended for illegal refining operations in Rivers.
This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
According to Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER of Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
He said that acting on credible intelligence, personnel conducting routine anti-crude oil theft patrols, intercepted two wooden boats positioned to off-load suspected petroleum products at Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area.
“A subsequent search revealed about 250 sacks containing approximately 52,600 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil,” he said.
He added that the patrol team also recovered materials used in the construction of illegal refining sites, indicating preparations to expand illicit refining activities within the area.
He said that the operation disrupted another attempt by criminal elements to feed Nigeria’s illegal refining value chain, denying economic saboteurs the crude oil and equipment required to sustain their operations.
Folorunsho further said that the recovered products and associated materials were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.
According to the director of naval information, the successful operation underscorea the navy’s sustained operational tempo in dismantling crude oil theft networks, disrupting illegal refining logistics, and protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure.
He reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations and interdicting all forms of maritime economic sabotage in support of national economic security.
