By DECAN
The Nigerian Navy has recovered 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and intercepted 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO in Rivers.
The operations were conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL as part of sustained efforts to disrupt crude oil theft, illegal refining and other economic sabotage.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, made this known in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
Folorunsho said personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny disrupted an emerging crude oil theft operation in Bonny Local Government Area.
He said the operation followed credible intelligence on attempts by suspected economic saboteurs to establish illegal connections to oil infrastructure around Bethel Community.
According to him, the operation led to the discovery of an illegal refining site, two pits containing 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
He added that extensive hoses believed to have been installed to facilitate crude oil theft were also discovered and subsequently handled according to extant regulations.
Folorunsho said the operation disrupted the emerging crude oil theft network before it became fully operational.
He said the action denied the suspected economic saboteurs infrastructure required to sustain illicit activities and inflict further economic losses on the nation.
In a separate operation, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER intercepted a speedboat conveying 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
He said the interception occurred along the Onne/Okrika waterways during ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations within the ship’s area of operation.
The Navy spokesman said the recovered speedboat and suspected illegally refined AGO were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.
He added that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend persons connected with the illegal activity.
Folorunsho said the latest operational successes further demonstrated the Navy’s commitment to disrupting illicit petroleum supply chains and protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure.
He said the Navy would sustain intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
According to him, the operations are also aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment, strengthening national security and protecting the country’s economic interests. (DECAN)