Navy Foils Illegal Fuel Distribution, Recovers 135,000 Litres in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted over 135,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and disrupted illicit fuel transportation networks operating along waterways in Rivers State.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the recoveries were made by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER during separate anti-crude oil theft operations around the Onne and Abonema areas under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

Folorunsho said the operation resulted in the interception of “over 135,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)” and the disruption of fuel distribution routes used by suspected oil thieves.

According to the statement, troops on routine patrol intercepted a fibre boat carrying drums and jerrycans loaded with suspected stolen AGO at the entrance of Owogono Creek in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area.

The Navy said the boat and its cargo, estimated at about 63,000 litres, were recovered after “the operators abandoned them and fled into adjoining creeks.”

In a related operation around Abonema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, naval patrol teams intercepted a wooden boat conveying about 72,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in sacks.

Folorunsho said the products “were being transported through the waterways for onward distribution before the operation disrupted the movement.”

The Navy noted that the recoveries highlight the continued exploitation of creek channels by criminal elements involved in illegal petroleum activities.

According to the statement, “the recoveries underscore the continued use of the region’s creek networks by criminal elements to transport and distribute illegally refined petroleum products.”

Folorunsho added that all recovered products and associated conveyances were handled in line with existing anti-crude oil theft procedures.

Reaffirming the Navy’s position, he said, “The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks, disrupting illicit fuel supply chains, and protecting Nigeria’s economic assets within the maritime environment.”