By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted approximately 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, and uncovered a suspected illicit petroleum distribution route in Rivers State.
The seizure was disclosed by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in a statement issued on Friday following an operation conducted by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER.
According to the statement, the interception occurred during a routine security patrol around the APS Limited Jetty in Woji under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, a strategic anti-crude oil theft initiative aimed at combating illegal refining, petroleum theft and the movement of illicit petroleum products across the Niger Delta.
The Navy said operatives became suspicious after observing a wooden boat attempting to offload its cargo under unusual circumstances. A subsequent inspection revealed that the vessel was carrying about 375 sacks containing an estimated 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.
The discovery, the Navy noted, pointed to an organised network involved in transporting illicit petroleum products from remote creek locations into commercial distribution channels.
The operation also exposed a suspected supply route allegedly used by oil thieves and illegal refiners to move products from concealed refining camps in the creeks to buyers and distributors in commercial centres.
According to the statement, the vessel and its cargo were immediately secured and taken into custody to prevent the products from entering the market.
“The wooden boat and its cargo were subsequently secured and handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, thereby preventing the products from entering the supply chain,” the statement said.
Folorunsho reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in crude oil theft, illegal refining and the transportation of stolen petroleum products.
The latest seizure forms part of the Navy’s broader efforts to curb oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta.
Under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Navy has recorded significant successes in recent months. Between January and March 2026, the operation led to the dismantling of 22 illegal refining sites and the recovery of more than 457,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products.
One of the operation’s major breakthroughs occurred on February 13, when naval personnel intercepted the vessel MV Amukpoye carrying 180 tonnes of suspected illegally sourced diesel. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Within the same period, operatives arrested 98 individuals linked to crude oil theft and illegal refining activities and destroyed more than 98 dugout pits used by operators of illegal refining camps.
Recovered products included over 204,000 litres of stolen crude oil, more than 106,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, over 138,000 litres of petrol, 8,000 litres of kerosene and several litres of condensate.
The Navy said the sustained operations are part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb oil theft, protect national revenue and dismantle criminal networks operating within Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.
