The Nigerian Navy has confiscated about 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products and arrested eight persons in a crackdown on oil theft in Rivers State.
The disclosure was made on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Abiodun Folorunsho.
Folorunsho said the operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER along the Degema, Ogbogoro and Ogbologo areas.
He explained that the naval team, acting on intelligence, intercepted two wooden boats loaded with suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
According to him, eight suspects connected to the illicit activity were taken into custody, while some armed collaborators escaped during the operation.
He added that the suspects and seized products would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
The naval spokesman stated that the operation was in line with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to step up efforts against crude oil theft and other maritime offences.
He assured that the Navy would continue to intensify Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intelligence-led missions, sustained patrols and cooperation with other security agencies.
Folorunsho also reaffirmed the service’s resolve to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain and safeguard critical national infrastructure.
