Navy uncovers 119,850 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, uncovered 119,850 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen at an illegal refining site in Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State.

This is contained in an operation report issued by the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, to journalists on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Folorunsho, a captain, disclosed that the operation also led to the recovery of 350 litres of suspected illegally refined petrol and 25 parcels of suspected Cannabis sativa.

He said the discovery was made on 17 September by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following credible intelligence on the location.

He added that “the suspected stolen crude oil was found in five dugout pits, while the suspected illegally refined AGO was recovered in six sacks.

“No arrest was made as the suspects fled on sighting the naval personnel. The recovered products and suspected illicit substances were handled in accordance with extant regulations.”

Mr Folorunsho said the latest success is comes days after the conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court in Uyo, after their arrest during a Nigerian Navy-led operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

He said the development highlighted growing impact of the operation, which combined sustained maritime and riverine interdictions with intelligence-led action to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta.

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“The operational gains and successful prosecution of offenders demonstrate the significance of the navy’s sustained efforts under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

“Beyond recovering stolen petroleum products, the operation continues to degrade the infrastructure supporting the illicit trade while strengthening the chain from detection and interdiction to prosecution and conviction,” he said.