By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a large quantity of stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar as part of intensified operations against crude oil theft and maritime crimes.
The operation was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel following renewed directives by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, to strengthen efforts aimed at combating crude oil theft and other illegal activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, naval personnel acting on credible intelligence about suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port swiftly deployed to the location.
The personnel, drawn from Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, traced the suspected illegal operation to a trailer park within the port facility.
The statement explained that upon sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators abandoned the scene and fled, prompting the operatives to immediately secure and cordon off the area.
A subsequent inspection of the location led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans.
The recovered products were evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in accordance with existing regulations.
The Nigerian Navy reiterated its commitment to sustaining the operational momentum of Operation Delta Sentinel through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at tackling crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
