Naija Navy don show say dem no dey play with matter of oil theft for our waterways. Just dis Sunday, March 23, 2026, naval officers wey dey work under Operation DELTA SENTINEL catch eight suspects wey dem dey suspect say dem dey involved in illegal oil business for Rivers State. Di operation wey personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER carry out na based on credible intelligence wey dem get about illegal refining activities for Degema, Ogbogoro and Ogbologo areas.
According to di statement wey di Director of Naval Information, Commodore Abiodun Folorunsho, release, di naval patrol team intercept two wooden boats wey dem dey carry about 44,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), wey we dey call diesel. Di eight suspects wey dem arrest dey inside di boats at di time of di operation. But di Navy talk say some armed accomplices of di suspects run comot immediately dem see di patrol team.
Commodore Folorunsho explain say di arrested suspects and di recovered products dey for custody now, and dem go hand dem over to appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution. Dis action follow di directive of di Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, wey mandate intensified operations against crude oil theft and maritime crimes for Nigeria territorial waters.
Di Navy spokesperson reaffirm say di Navy go sustain di tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intelligence-driven operations, enhanced patrols and inter-agency collaboration. Di main aim na to safeguard Nigeria maritime domain and protect critical national assets wey dey for di sea. Dis recent bust na part of ongoing efforts to tackle illegal bunkering and oil theft wey don dey affect di country economy and environment.
Di operation show say di Nigerian Navy dey active and vigilant for di fight against maritime crimes. Di use of credible intelligence and quick response by di NNS PATHFINDER team demonstrate effectiveness of di current strategy. Di Navy promise say dem no go rest until dem rid di waterways of all illegal activities wey dey threaten national security and economic stability.
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