Navy seizes 103,500 ltrs of illegal diesel in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted approximately 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, and uncovered a suspected illicit petroleum distribution route in Rivers state.

The development was disclosed by Capt. Abiodun Folorunsh, the Director of Naval Information in a statement issued on Friday following an operation carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER.

According to the Navy, the seizure was made during routine security patrols around the APS Limited Jetty in Woji under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, a strategic anti-crude oil theft initiative aimed at combating illegal refining, petroleum theft and the movement of illicit petroleum products across the Niger Delta region.

During the patrol, naval operatives reportedly observed a wooden boat attempting to offload cargo under suspicious circumstances, prompting a detailed inspection.

Subsequent checks revealed that the vessel was carrying about 375 sacks containing an estimated 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.

The Navy said the discovery pointed to an organised effort to transport illegally refined petroleum products from remote creek locations into commercial distribution channels.

The statement noted that the operation also exposed a suspected supply route allegedly used by oil thieves and illegal refiners to move products from hidden refining camps in the creeks to buyers and distributors operating in commercial centres.

To prevent the products from entering the market, the vessel and its contents were immediately taken into custody.

“The wooden boat and its cargo were subsequently secured and handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, thereby preventing the products from entering the supply chain,” the statement said.

Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations targeted at dismantling criminal networks involved in crude oil theft, illegal refining and the transportation of stolen petroleum products.

Operation DELTA SENTINEL has emerged as one of the Navy’s major tools in tackling oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta.

Between January and March 2026, the operation led to the dismantling of 22 illegal refining sites and the recovery of more than 457,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products.

One of the operation’s major successes occurred on February 13 when naval personnel intercepted the vessel MV Amukpoye carrying 180 tonnes of suspected illegally sourced diesel. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Over the three-month period, operatives arrested 98 individuals linked to crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, while also destroying more than 98 dugout pits used for illegal refining operations.

Recovered products included over 204,000 litres of stolen crude oil, more than 106,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, over 138,000 litres of petrol, 8,000 litres of kerosene and several litres of condensate.

Security officials believe the scale of the recovered products indicates that criminal syndicates are operating sophisticated networks capable of stealing, refining and distributing petroleum products on a significant scale.

The latest seizure is part of a broader crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

In April, naval personnel intercepted two vessels carrying 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil valued at more than N4 billion, leading to the arrest of 26 crew members.

Similarly, on March 27, the Navy recovered over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and dismantled an illegal refining camp in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Defence Headquarters also disclosed that troops operating under Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 101 illegal refining sites and arrested 219 suspects involved in crude oil theft and related offences during the first quarter of 2026.

The sustained operations underscore ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb oil theft, safeguard national revenue and dismantle criminal networks operating within Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.