The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, intercepting large quantities of suspected illegal petroleum products and arresting eight suspects in Rivers State.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, following actionable intelligence on illicit oil activities within the state’s waterways. The suspects were reportedly apprehended while transporting illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in makeshift wooden boats commonly used in the region for such operations.
Confirming the development, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, said the operation was part of sustained efforts by the Navy to dismantle networks involved in oil theft and illegal refining.
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Speaking in Port Harcourt, Igbo disclosed that several items, including storage containers and equipment linked to illegal refining, were seized during the raid. He added that the illegal products were intercepted before they could be distributed into the domestic market.
He reiterated the Navy’s resolve to protect the nation’s oil infrastructure and reduce economic losses associated with crude oil theft, warning that offenders would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The eight suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
Illegal oil bunkering remains a major challenge in the Niger Delta, contributing to environmental pollution and significant revenue losses for the Federal Government. Security agencies have continued to ramp up operations in the region, targeting hotspots and dismantling illegal refining sites as part of broader efforts to restore order in the oil-rich area.
