A covert naval operation in Rivers State has foiled a suspected oil theft scheme, leading to the arrest of eight individuals and the recovery of tens of thousands of litres of illegally refined diesel.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in the early hours of Sunday, following intelligence reports of illegal bunkering activities in the Degema and Obologo areas. Naval authorities said the suspects were intercepted during a high-risk mission aimed at tackling crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Speaking through the Acting Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Justin Jerome, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Mutalib Ibikunle Raji, revealed that the patrol team encountered resistance upon arriving at the scene.
“While on patrol at about 0115 hours on March 22, the team accosted a boat being escorted by armed elements suspected to be affiliated with illegal groups. On sighting the naval patrol team, the criminal elements fled the scene,” he said.
A follow-up search led to the discovery of hundreds of sacks containing suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel).
“Each sack contains 106 litres, bringing the total to about 44,000 litres,” he added.
The Navy confirmed that the suspects, along with the recovered products, have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
Receiving the case on behalf of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate, EFCC Superintendent Blessing Emereole assured that proper procedures would be followed.
“This will be investigated discreetly. If found culpable, the suspects will be prosecuted,” she stated.
One of the suspects, identified as Sokari and believed to be the group’s leader, denied any involvement in illegal activities, claiming that he and others were only hired as labourers.
“We were just loaders. I didn’t know it was illegal bunkering until we got there,” he claimed.
Naval authorities linked the operation to ongoing enforcement under Operation Delta Sentinel, an initiative focused on safeguarding Nigeria’s oil resources and reducing environmental damage caused by illegal refining.
The latest interception adds to a series of crackdowns targeting oil theft networks, a persistent issue that continues to affect the nation’s economy and security.
