By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational success under Operation DELTA SENTINEL with the interception of two wooden boats conveying approximately 15,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) within the Okrika waterways of Rivers State.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Navy Spokesman, Commodore Abiodun Ayo-Vaughan.
According to the statement, the operation was conducted by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER following credible intelligence on the movement of suspected stolen petroleum products within its Area of Operations.
During a night patrol, the Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team intercepted a wooden boat abandoned by suspected oil thieves who fled into the surrounding creeks on sighting the naval patrol team.
A search of the vessel revealed several sacks containing about 12,000 litresof product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
The patrol was subsequently extended across adjoining waterways, leading to the interception of a second wooden boat laden with 10 drums and seven 50-litre jerrycans containing about 3,500 litres of product suspected to be siphoned PMS.
The interceptions underscore the continued use of inland waterways by criminal networks to transport illegally obtained petroleum products through concealed creek routes.
By targeting these movement corridors, the Nigerian Navy said it continues to disrupt the logistics chain that sustains crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and associated maritime crimes.
The recovered boats and petroleum products have been secured and are being handled in accordance with established operational procedures, while surveillance of the area has been intensified to identify other routes and networks supporting the illicit trade.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure, secure the nation’s maritime domain, and deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within the Niger Delta.
