The Nigerian Navy has intercepted over 135,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during separate operations across the waterways of Rivers State.The seizures, carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, are part of the ongoing anti-crude oil theft initiative dubbed Operation DELTA SENTINEL.In the first operation, naval troops on a routine patrol at the entrance of Owogono Creek in the Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area intercepted a fibre boat. The vessel was laden with drums and jerrycans containing approximately 63,000 litres of suspected stolen AGO. The operators abandoned the boat and its cargo, fleeing into the adjoining creeks before they could be apprehended.A second operation conducted around the Abonema general area, located in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, led to the interception of a large wooden boat. Naval patrol teams discovered approximately 72,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in several sacks. Officials confirmed the products were being transported through the waterways for onward distribution before the supply chain was disrupted.According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operations highlight the persistent use of the region’s intricate creek networks by criminal syndicates to transport illicit petroleum products.The Navy confirmed that all recovered products and seized vessels have been handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures. Leadership reiterated its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to dismantle crude oil theft networks and protect the nation’s maritime economic assets.