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 development was disclosed by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, in a statement issued on Friday following an operation carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER.
According to the Navy, the seizure was made during routine security patrols around the APS Limited Jetty in Woji under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, a strategic anti-crude oil theft operation designed to combat illegal refining, petroleum theft and the movement of illicit petroleum products across the Niger Delta.
What they are saying
During the patrol, naval operatives noticed a wooden boat attempting to offload its cargo in circumstances that raised suspicion, prompting a closer inspection.
Subsequent checks revealed that the vessel was carrying about 375 sacks containing an estimated 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.”
The Navy said the operation also exposed a suspected supply route used by oil thieves and illegal refiners to move products from hidden refining camps in the creeks to buyers and distributors in commercial centres.
According to the statement, the vessel and its contents were immediately taken into custody to prevent the products from reaching 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.”
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in crude oil theft, illegal refining and the transportation of stolen petroleum products.
Get up to speed
Operation DELTA SENTINEL has emerged as one of the Navy’s key tools in tackling oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta.
- 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 its most significant breakthroughs came on February 13 with the interception of the vessel MV Amukpoye, which was found carrying 180 tonnes of suspected illegally sourced diesel. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
- Over the three-month period, naval operatives arrested 98 individuals linked to crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, while destroying more than 98 dugout pits used by operators of illegal refining camps.
- The operation also resulted in the recovery of 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 hundreds of litres of condensate.
It is believed that the large volumes recovered suggest that criminal syndicates are not only stealing crude oil from pipelines and facilities but are also operating sophisticated local refining networks capable of processing and distributing petroleum products on a significant scale.
What you should know
The latest seizure is part of a broader crackdown by the Nigerian Navy on crude oil theft and illegal refining operations in the Niger Delta region.
- In April, Nairametrics reported that naval personnel intercepted two vessels carrying 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil valued at more than N4 billion, leading to the arrest of 26 crew members.
- A few weeks earlier, on March 27, the Navy recovered over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and dismantled an illegal refining camp in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
- The military has also intensified joint anti-oil theft operations. In the first quarter of 2026, the Defence Headquarters disclosed that troops operating under Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 101 illegal refining sites and arrested 219 suspects involved in crude oil theft and related offences.
The sustained operations form part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb oil theft, protect national revenue and disrupt criminal networks operating within Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.
