Navy Intensifies Crackdown On Economic Saboteurs, Dismantles Back Market Fuel Syndicate In Rivers State
The Nigerian Navy unit, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER, under
Operation DELTA SENTINEL has dismantled a black market fuel ring within the Okrika
general area in Rivers State during anti-crude oil theft patrol, as part of its ongoing
onslaught on economic saboteurs and illegal petroleum networks.
A statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho disclosed that the operation led to the discovery of a major storage hub linked to the distribution of suspected illegally
refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.
He further explained that during the operation, naval personnel uncovered a warehouse located around Okochiri Kingdom in Okrika Local Government Area containing 410 drums
cumulatively laden with approximately 123,000 litres of product suspected to be
illegally refined AGO.
“Preliminary assessment indicated that the products were likely transported from
illegal refining locations outside the community and stockpiled within the warehouse
for onward distribution through illicit supply networks.
“The discovery highlights the growing pattern of illegal petroleum operations shifting beyond refining camps into concealed storage and distribution systems designed to
evade ongoing anti-Crude Oil Theft operations and sustain black-market fuel trade
across the region.
“The products were subsequently handled in line with established Anti-Crude Oil Theft
procedures, while follow-on assessment and surveillance within the general area
remain ongoing.”
He assured that the current operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL remain focused on dismantling
the broader logistics and supply architecture that sustains crude oil theft, illegal
refining, and illicit petroleum distribution within the Niger Delta
