The Nigerian Navy has dismantled a major oil theft syndicate in Rivers State, arresting eight suspects and recovering 44,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), in a significant crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The operation led to the immediate transfer of the suspects and the seized products to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Mutalib Ibikunle Raji, disclosed that the successful raid was driven by critical and credible intelligence on illegal bunkering activities around Degema and Obologo in Rivers State.
Represented by the Acting Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Justin Jerome, the commander noted that the syndicate was intercepted during a high-risk patrol conducted on the afternoon of Sunday, March 22, 2026.
He added: “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.”
Raji stated that a subsequent search led to the discovery of 423 sacks of suspected illegally refined AGO.
He noted that the operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel, in line with directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas Admiralty Medal, to combat crude oil theft and safeguard Nigeria’s maritime environment.
Each sack contains 106 litres, bringing the total to about 44,000 litres, he said
The EFCC Superintendent Chioma Blessing Emereole, who took delivery of the suspects on behalf of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate, said the commission would conduct a thorough investigation.
“This will be investigated discreetly. If found culpable, the suspects will be prosecuted,” she stated.
“We were just loaders. I didn’t know it was illegal bunkering until we got there,” he said.
The leader of the eight suspects, identified as Sokari, claimed he was unaware of the illegal nature of the operation.