The Nigerian Navy has intercepted about 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products and arrested eight suspects in Rivers State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
The operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel in the Degema, Ogbogoro, and Ogbologo areas following credible intelligence on ongoing illegal activities.
According to the statement, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder deployed an anti-crude oil theft patrol team, which led to the interception of two wooden boats loaded with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The operation also resulted in the arrest of eight suspects linked to the illegal activity, while other armed accomplices reportedly fled the scene on sighting the naval patrol team.
The Navy said the recovered products and suspects are currently in custody and will be handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Navy noted that the operation aligns with directives from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to intensify efforts against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and other maritime crimes.
It added that Operation Delta Sentinel continues to focus on intelligence-driven operations, enhanced patrols, and collaboration with other security agencies to protect Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Crude oil theft and illegal refining remain major challenges in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions, particularly in the Niger Delta, where illicit activities continue to impact production and government revenue.
Data by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) shows that crude oil theft has led to significant losses in Nigeria’s oil sector over the years, impacting revenue and production levels.
Recently, Nairametrics reported that the Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on oil theft, destroying over 800 illegal refineries and recovering about 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil within two years.
The operations also led to the arrest of at least 242 suspects and seizure of multiple vessels, highlighting the scale of organised oil theft networks across the country.