Navy recovers 81 bags of illegal diesel in Rivers State – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

In a major success in the fight against oil theft, the Nigerian Navy, in an intelligence-led operation, has recovered 81 bags of suspected Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel in Rivers State, suspected to be illegally refined.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation also disrupted the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through the stream corridors and denied suspected oil thieves the use of a wooden boat used to transport the products.

He said the operation was launched following reports of suspected movements of illegally refined petroleum products within the area.

According to him, the recovery was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, who acted on credible intelligence in Orashi Forest area of ​​Okolomade community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, bordering Ogbia Local Government Area of ​​Bayelsa State.

He said the patrol team initially intercepted a wooden boat carrying 36 bags of suspected illegally refined NEEDLE along an adjacent creek.

To further exploit the intelligence, the Navy deployed an aerial surveillance drone, which led to the discovery of additional supplies hidden under vegetation and within ponds within the area.

“A detailed search subsequently led to the recovery of a further 45 bags of suspected refined AGO illegally hidden in several locations, bringing the total recovery to 81 bags containing approximately 22,870 litres,” the statement said.

He added that the recovered products and the intercepted wooden boat were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, effectively disrupting the logistics chain that supports illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta. He urged members of the public to continue to support security agencies with credible intelligence to support the fight against crude oil theft and safeguard the nation’s strategic economic assets.