By KENNEDY SHEYIN

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted two wooden boats conveying 15,500 litrs of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) within the Okrika waterways of Rivers.

The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, revealed this in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Sunday.

Folorunsho said that the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of suspected stolen petroleum products within its Area of operations.

“During a night patrol, the Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team intercepted a wooden boat abandoned by suspected oil thieves who fled into the surrounding creeks on sighting the naval patrol.

“A search of the vessel revealed several sacks containing about 12,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

“The patrol was subsequently extended across adjoining waterways, leading to the interception of a second wooden boat laden with 10 drums and seven 50-litre jerrycans containing about 3,500 litres of product suspected to be siphoned PMS

“The interceptions underscore the continued use of inland waterways by criminal networks to transport illegally obtained petroleum products through concealed creek routes.”

The director of naval information added that by targeting the movement corridors, the navy will continue to disrupt the logistics chain sustaining crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and associated maritime crimes.

He also disclosed that the recovered boats and petroleum products were secured and handled in accordance with established operational procedures, while surveillance of the area had been intensified to identify other routes and networks supporting the illicit trade.

The naval spokesperson reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to protect Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure, secure the nation’s maritime domain, and deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate within the Niger Delta. (NAN)

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