The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a suspected illegal petroleum distribution network and seized 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, during an operation in Rivers State.
The interception was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER during routine patrols around the APS Limited Jetty in Woji under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Navy's anti-crude oil theft initiative targeting illegal refining and petroleum theft across the Niger Delta.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, naval operatives became suspicious after observing a wooden boat attempting to offload its cargo under unusual circumstances. A search of the vessel uncovered 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," Folorunsho said.
The Navy said the operation also exposed a suspected supply route used by oil thieves and illegal refiners to transport products from hidden refining camps in the creeks to buyers and distributors in commercial centres.
"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," the statement added.
The seizure is the latest in a series of successes recorded under Operation DELTA SENTINEL. Between January and March 2026, the Navy dismantled 22 illegal refining sites, arrested 98 suspects and recovered more than 457,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products.
One of the operation's biggest breakthroughs came on February 13 with the interception of MV Amukpoye carrying 180 tonnes of suspected illegally sourced diesel, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.
The Navy also recovered more than 204,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 106,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, 138,000 litres of petrol, 8,000 litres of kerosene and hundreds of litres of condensate during the first quarter.
In April, naval personnel intercepted two vessels carrying 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil valued at over ₦4 billion and arrested 26 crew members, while another operation in March led to the recovery of over 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude and the destruction of an illegal refining camp in Bonny, Rivers State.
The sustained crackdown forms part of broader efforts by security agencies to curb oil theft, protect national revenue and dismantle criminal networks operating within Nigeria's oil-producing communities.