The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a link in the illicit petroleum distribution chain with the interception of a large consignment of suspected illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO), also known as diesel, being transported through Rivers’ waterways.

This was revealed by the director of naval information, Abiodun Folorunsho, in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

According to Mr Folorunsho, the discovery was made by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, under Operation Delta Sentinel, during routine security patrols around the APS Limited Jetty in Woji.

He said naval personnel observed a wooden boat attempting to discharge its contents under suspicious circumstances during patrol.

He said further investigation revealed that the vessel was laden with approximately 375 sacks containing about 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.

“This indicated an organised effort to move illicit petroleum products from remote creek locations into commercial distribution channels,” he said.

He also revealed that the operation exposed a suspected creek-to-market fuel movement route often exploited by criminals involved in the illegal petroleum trade.

He said such networks serve as critical links between illegal refining camps and end users, enabling economic saboteurs to profit from stolen national resources.

“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,” he said.

The captain reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel.

He said the navy would continue operations to dismantle the networks that facilitate crude oil theft, illegal refining, transportation, and distribution of illicit petroleum products across the Niger Delta.

(NAN)