The Nigerian Navy has intercepted abour 17,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, on Saturday in Abuja.

According to Folorunsho, officers of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER made the interception during ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations within its Area of Operation.

“During the operation, a speedboat conveying the suspected illegally refined petroleum product was intercepted along the Onne/Okrika waterways.

“The recovered speedboat and the suspected illegally refined AGO were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures. Efforts are also ongoing to identify and apprehend those connected with the illegal activity.”

The naval spokesperson said that the latest operational success further demonstrated the navy’s sustained commitment to disrupting the illicit petroleum supply chain.

He said it also denied economic saboteurs freedom of action, while protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure from criminal exploitation.

Mr Folorunsho reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to combat crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage, while safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and supporting national economic security.

(NAN)