By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian Navy has rescued three passengers from a capsized boat in Delta State and recovered more than 63,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers State during separate operations conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel.
The Director of Information of the Nigerian Navy, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the developments on Monday in Abuja, describing the operations as part of ongoing efforts to enhance maritime safety and combat economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
According to Folorunsho, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta carried out a successful search-and-rescue operation along the Bennett River in Warri after spotting distressed passengers and floating debris from a capsized boat during a routine maritime security patrol.
He said naval personnel immediately launched a rescue mission, recovering the three passengers and salvaging valuable items from the wreckage.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the boat overturned due to severe weather conditions and rough waves triggered by a heavy rainstorm.
The rescued victims were taken to the NNS Delta Sick Bay, where they received medical treatment and were later discharged after their condition stabilised.
Folorunsho said the operation demonstrated the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding lives on the nation’s waterways, noting that sustained patrols remain essential for improving maritime safety and providing timely assistance to people in distress.
In a separate operation in Rivers State, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH recovered a large quantity of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and intercepted a vehicle believed to be linked to an illicit fuel distribution network.
Acting on credible intelligence, the naval team deployed to Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area, where suspected illegal petroleum products were reportedly being transported through the Orashi Forest corridor.
During the operation, operatives intercepted a silver Toyota Camry suspected of conveying illegally refined AGO. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 17 sacks containing the suspected product, while additional searches uncovered more stockpiles concealed under dense vegetation within the forest.
Folorunsho said follow-up ground operations resulted in the recovery of 56 additional sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO.
He disclosed that a total of 73 sacks containing approximately 63,290 litres of the suspected product were recovered, alongside the vehicle believed to have been used for transportation.
The Navy spokesman noted that the discovery highlighted the increasing use of forest corridors and hidden storage locations by criminal networks involved in the illegal petroleum trade.
He added that the operation disrupted a critical segment of the illicit supply chain, while the recovered products were handled in accordance with existing regulations, and the vehicle was secured for further investigation.
Folorunsho reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
