Navy seizes massive haul of 22,870 litres of smuggled petroleum in Rivers State.

The Nigerian Navy has made a significant seizure of approximately 22,870 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil during a targeted operation in Rivers State, code-named Operation DELTA SENTINEL, which was conducted based on gathered intelligence.

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This operation was executed by personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship, SOROH, who focused their efforts on the Orashi Forest area of Okolomade Community, located within the Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.

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Details of the operation were disclosed by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, in an operational report that was issued on Sunday in Abuja, highlighting the navy's continued efforts to combat illegal activities.

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According to Capt. Folorunsho, the operation was initiated following the receipt of credible intelligence regarding the movement of illegally refined petroleum products through creek channels that border the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

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The naval patrol team successfully intercepted a wooden boat that was transporting 36 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO along an adjoining creek, marking a crucial interception in the operation.

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Upon arrival, the patrol team utilized a drone for aerial surveillance to expand the scope of the operation, which led to the identification of additional concealed stockpiles hidden under vegetation and inside ponds within the general area.

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A thorough search of the area subsequently resulted in the recovery of an additional 45 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO, which were concealed at different locations, bringing the total recovery to 81 sacks containing approximately 22,870 litres.

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The operation not only resulted in the seizure of the wooden boat but also prevented its use by criminal elements for the transportation of illegally refined petroleum products, disrupting their logistics network.

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The recovered products and the boat were handled in accordance with existing anti-crude oil theft procedures, which support the Nigerian Navy's efforts to dismantle crude oil theft networks and protect the nation's critical economic assets.

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Capt. Folorunsho reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy's commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling crude oil theft networks and denying criminal elements the freedom to operate on Nigeria's waterways.

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Operation DELTA SENTINEL is part of the Nigerian Navy's ongoing efforts to target crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other maritime crimes in the Niger Delta, combining intelligence gathering, waterborne patrols, and aerial surveillance to disrupt criminal networks.