The Nigerian Navy has intercepted two wooden boats conveying approximately 15,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) within the Okrika waterways of Rivers State.
This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Spokesperson of the Service Navy Captain Abiodun Folorusho
It explained that the the operation was conducted by the personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER following credible intelligence on the movement of suspected stolen petroleum products within its Area of Operations.
According to it, during a night patrol, the Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team intercepted a wooden boat abandoned by suspected oil thieves who fled into the surrounding creeks on sighting the naval patrol.
“A search of the vessel revealed several sacks containing about 12,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
It stated that the patrol was subsequently extended across adjoining waterways, leading to the interception of a second wooden boat laden with 10 drums and seven 50-litre jerrycans containing about 3,500 litres of product suspected to be siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)._
The statement pointed out that the interceptions underscored the continued use of inland waterways by criminal networks to transport illegally obtained petroleum products through concealed creek routes.
According to it, “by targeting these movement corridors, the Nigerian Navy continues to disrupt the logistics chain that sustains crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and associated maritime crimes.
It further added that the recovered boats and petroleum products were secured and handled in accordance with established operational procedures, while surveillance of the area had been intensified to identify other routes and networks supporting the illicit trade._
The statement reaffmed that the Nigerian Navy remained steadfast in sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure, secure the nation’s maritime domain, and deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within the Niger Delta Region.