Odita Sunday 
Operation Delta Sentinel: Navy intercepts stolen petroleum products in Calabar
By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Navy says it has intercepted stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) area in Calabar, Cross River State, as part of ongoing operations to curb crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.
The operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel, following renewed directives by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, for intensified action against oil theft across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Adedotun Folorunsho, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Victory, acted on credible intelligence indicating suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The statement explained that naval operatives swiftly deployed to the location and traced the stolen products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“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,” the statement said.
Further inspection by the naval team led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stored in drums and jerrycans.
According to the Navy, the recovered petroleum products have been evacuated to the base for further action in line with existing regulations.
The Navy reiterated its commitment to sustaining the operational 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.
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