The Nigerian Navy has recovered approximately 87,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, during an operation against crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in Rivers State.
The seizure was made in the Okarki area under Operation Delta Sentinel, where naval personnel uncovered a concealed fuel storage facility allegedly used for the illegal stockpiling of petroleum products.
The Director of Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, announced the development in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
According to Folorunsho, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh launched the operation after acting on credible intelligence, leading to the discovery of the hidden facility.
He said the site contained suspected illegally refined AGO as well as equipment used for the unlawful storage and handling of petroleum products.
“The hidden facility contained suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and equipment used for its illegal storage and handling. During the operation, about 87,000 litres of the suspected product were recovered and processed in accordance with established operational procedures,” Folorunsho said.
The Navy said the discovery highlights the continued efforts of criminal syndicates to establish secret storage facilities across the Niger Delta to sustain the illegal petroleum products trade.
It noted that dismantling such facilities weakens the networks responsible for crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to combating crude oil theft and protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure, stating that the successful operation demonstrates its resolve to deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate while safeguarding national assets.
