By Augustine Ehikioya
The Nigerian Navy under Operation DELTA SENTINEL has intercepted stolen Petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) area in Calabar, Cross River State.
This followed the charge by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across the nation’s maritime domain.
Acting on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of products from vessels berthed at the port, operation DELTA SENTINEL personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY swiftly deployed to the area and traced the products to a trailer park within the port facility.
This was contained in a statement by Captain AA Folorunsho, Director Naval Information. It was made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It disclosed that on sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured.
“Further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stored in drums and jerrycans.
“The recovered products have since been evacuated to the Base for further necessary action in accordance with extant regulations.”
The Nigerian Navy, the statement added, remains resolute in sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage within Nigeria’s maritime domain,” it stated.
