Navy recovers 1,600 litres of illegally refined diesel in Rivers

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The Nigerian Navy has recovered about 1,600 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during an operation in Rivers State.

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This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.

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Folorunsho said the recovery was made under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, following intelligence on illegal refining activities.

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He said, “The operation took place at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, near the border with Bayelsa.”

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According to him, “the Anti-Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the Orashi Forest area, where aerial surveillance using an unmanned system led to the discovery of concealed sacks suspected to contain illegally refined AGO.”

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He added that naval personnel recovered “16 sacks containing about 100 litres each, totalling approximately 1,600 litres of the product.”

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Folorunsho further stated that “the suspects fled on sighting naval personnel, while the recovered items were handled in line with operational procedures.”

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He said the operation reflects the Navy’s ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal refining networks and curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

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Reiterating the Navy’s stance, he said there would be “no safe haven for economic saboteurs,” adding that sustained operations are continuing across the nation’s waterways and creeks.

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