The Nigerian Navy has arrested eight individuals suspected of oil theft in Rivers State and confiscated 44,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), handing the suspects and seized products over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and prosecution.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, based on verified intelligence regarding illegal bunkering in Degema and Obologho communities. Commander Mutalib Ibikunle Raji, who spoke on Monday and was represented by Acting Base Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Justin Jerome, said the arrest followed a high-risk patrol on Sunday, March 22.
“During the patrol at approximately 0115 hours, our team intercepted a boat escorted by armed elements believed to be linked to illegal bunkering.
The suspects abandoned the vessel upon sighting the naval team,” Raji said. A subsequent inspection revealed 423 sacks of refined AGO, each containing 106 litres, amounting to roughly 44,000 litres of fuel.
He added that the operation formed part of Operation Delta Sentinel, a naval initiative launched under the directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Admiralty Medal, to curb crude oil theft and protect Nigeria’s maritime environment.
EFCC Superintendent Blessing Emereole, representing the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate, said the commission would carry out a discreet investigation, warning that anyone found guilty would face prosecution.
Speaking to journalists, Sokari, the leader of the arrested group, claimed he was unaware of the illegal nature of the operation, saying, “We were just loaders. I didn’t know it was illegal until we were caught.”
The arrests highlight intensified efforts by security agencies to dismantle illegal refining operations in the Niger Delta and prevent economic sabotage, following a similar interception of two wooden boats laden with AGO reported by the Navy earlier.
