The Nigerian Navy has recovered approximately 1,600 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during an intelligence-led operation in Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the seizure was carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH.
The operation took place in Okolomade Community, Abua-Odual Local Government Area, near the border with Bayelsa State. According to Mr Folorunsho, the Anti-Crude Oil Theft team was deployed to the Orashi Forest area, where aerial surveillance using an unmanned system uncovered concealed sacks suspected to contain illegally refined AGO.
Troops recovered 16 sacks, each holding roughly 100 litres—totalling 1,600 litres of the product. Suspects fled upon sighting naval personnel, and the recovered items were disposed of in line with standard operational procedures.
Mr Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to dismantling illegal refining networks and curbing crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. He warned that economic saboteurs would find no safe haven, as sustained operations continue across the nation’s waterways and creeks.