KEY POINTS

• The Nigerian Navy seized about 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel in Rivers State.
• Eight suspects are in custody after the interception of two wooden boats in the Degema axis.
• The operation aligns with the Naval Staff’s directive to intensify operations against crude oil theft.

The Nigerian Navy has seized approximately 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and arrested eight suspects in Rivers State, in the latest operation under its sustained anti-crude-theft campaign in the Niger Delta.

The Navy intercepts illegal petroleum Rivers operation took place in the Degema/Ogbogoro/Ogbologo axis, carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder acting on credible intelligence. Director of Naval Information Commodore Abiodun Folorunsho announced the results Sunday in a statement from Abuja. A naval patrol team intercepted two wooden boats loaded with the suspected illegally refined diesel. Eight suspects linked to the activity are now in custody. While armed accomplices who were present at the scene fled on sighting the patrol team.

Suspects to face prosecution

Folorunsho said the navy would hand the arrested suspects and recovered products over to appropriate authorities for investigation and possible prosecution. He confirmed that both the suspects and the seized products remain in naval custody pending that transfer.

Furthermore, the Navy intercepts illegal petroleum Rivers operation falls within the mandate of Operation Delta Sentinel, the navy’s dedicated campaign targeting crude oil theft, illegal refining, and broader maritime crime across Nigeria’s southern waterways.

While Folorunsho noted the operation aligned directly with a directive from Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, who has mandated intensified action against crude oil theft and maritime crimes across the Niger Delta corridor.

Sustained tempo pledged

The naval spokesperson further affirmed that Operation Delta Sentinel would maintain its operational tempo through intelligence-driven patrols, enhanced maritime surveillance, and collaboration with other security agencies.

The navy described protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and critical national assets as a standing priority that would not ease regardless of how frequently interceptions occur.