The Nigerian Navy, acting on credible intelligence under Operation Delta Sentinel, intercepted two wooden boats laden with about 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Degema, Ogbogoro and Ogbologo areas of Rivers State. Personnel from NNS Pathfinder carried out the operation, arrested eight suspects and reported that other armed accomplices fled on sighting the naval patrol.
The recovered products and detainees are currently in custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution. The operation forms part of an intensified crackdown ordered by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, which has led to the destruction of over 800 illegal refineries and the recovery of roughly 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil in the past two years.
Operation Delta Sentinel focuses on intelligence-driven operations, enhanced patrols and collaboration with other security agencies to curb crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes. Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission underscore the large-scale losses suffered by the sector in recent years, making such naval actions critical to protecting national revenue and production.
