By Saminu Ibrahim
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted two wooden boats and a tugboat carrying about 120,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 20,000 litres of suspected crude oil in separate operations in Delta State.
The operations, conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA on October 26 and 28, 2026, were part of the ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft and petroleum-related economic sabotage under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
In a statement on Friday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said naval personnel intercepted a wooden boat carrying approximately 40,000 litres of AGO at Aruton Creek on October 26.
He said another operation in the Oteghele general area on the same day led to the discovery of a dugout reservoir containing about 20,000 litres of products suspected to be crude oil.
Folorunsho added that on October 28, naval personnel intercepted another wooden boat carrying an estimated 80,000 litres of AGO at Ijala Creek while the product was being discharged into a tugboat.
According to him, the crews of both vessels abandoned their boats and fled upon sighting the approaching naval gunboats, leading to the seizure of the vessels.
He said the operations underscored the Navy’s commitment to combating crude oil theft, dismantling illegal petroleum storage and distribution networks, and protecting the nation’s critical oil and gas assets.
The naval spokesman assured that the Navy would sustain intelligence-led operations and maritime patrols to deny economic saboteurs freedom of action and safeguard Nigeria’s maritime environment.
