The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder in Port Harcourt has handed over eight suspected oil thieves and about 44,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
The suspects were arrested during an operation carried out on Sunday, March 22, 2026, following credible intelligence on illegal bunkering activities in Degema and Obologo areas of Rivers State.
Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Mutalib Ibikunle Raji, disclosed this on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the naval base in Rumuolumeni, near Port Harcourt. He was represented by the Acting Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Justin Jerome.
Raji explained that the breakthrough occurred during a high-risk patrol in the early hours of Sunday.
“While on patrol at about 1:15 a.m., the team intercepted a boat being escorted by armed elements suspected to be affiliated with illegal groups. On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspects fled the scene,” he said.
A subsequent search of the area led to the discovery of 423 sacks of suspected illegally refined diesel. Each sack contained approximately 106 litres, bringing the total volume to about 44,000 litres.
The commander noted that the operation was conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, in line with directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to curb crude oil theft and protect Nigeria’s maritime environment.
Receiving the suspects, EFCC Superintendent Blessing Emereole, representing the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate, assured that the commission would carry out a thorough investigation.
“This will be investigated discreetly. If found culpable, the suspects will be prosecuted,” she said.
However, the leader of the suspects, identified simply as Sokari, claimed ignorance of the illegal nature of the activity.
“We were just loaders. I didn’t know it was illegal bunkering until we got there,” he said.
The arrest and seizure underscore ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle illegal refining operations in the Niger Delta and combat economic sabotage in the region.
