NAVY SEIZES 44,000 LITRES OF ILLEGAL FUEL, ARRESTS EIGHT IN RIVERS
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By Tajudeen Aminat
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted approximately 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products and arrested eight suspects in Rivers State.
The operation was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel in the Degema, Ogbogoro, and Ogbologo areas, following credible intelligence on ongoing illegal activities, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
Personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder deployed an anti-crude oil theft patrol team, which led to the interception of two wooden boats laden with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The operation also led to the arrest of eight suspects linked to the illicit activity, while other armed accomplices reportedly fled upon sighting the naval patrol team.
The statement read that under Operation Delta Sentinel, naval personnel intercepted a large consignment of illegally refined petroleum products and arrested suspected oil thieves in the Degema/Ogbogoro/Ogbologo areas of Rivers State, acting on credible intelligence about ongoing illicit activities.
The recovered products and suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Navy recently said it has intensified its crackdown on oil theft, destroying over 800 illegal refineries and recovering about 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil within the past two years.
Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) indicates that crude oil theft has caused significant losses to Nigeria’s oil sector over the years, affecting both revenue and production.
In 2021, Nigeria reportedly lost about 37.6 million barrels of crude oil, averaging roughly 102,900 barrels per day, marking one of the highest levels in over two decades.
In 2022, Nigeria recorded losses of about 20.9 million barrels of crude oil, averaging 57,200 barrels per day, underscoring the persistent scale of theft and pipeline vandalism in oil-producing areas.
By 2023, losses had reduced to about 4.3 million barrels, with a daily average of 11,900 barrels, while in 2024, the figure stood at approximately 4.1 million barrels, averaging 11,300 barrels per day.
Between January and July 2025, the country lost about 2.04 million barrels of crude oil, representing an average of 9,600 barrels per day over the seven-month period.
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