The Nigerian Navy has intercepted stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) facility in Calabar, Cross River State, in a fresh success under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The operation followed the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
According to a statement, personnel of Operation DELTA SENTINEL from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY acted on credible intelligence regarding suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval team swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility. However, upon sighting the approaching naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene.
The area was immediately cordoned off by naval personnel, leading to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stored in several drums and jerrycans.
The seized petroleum products have since been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with existing regulations.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the 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 domain.