By Barbara Nwaiwu
The Nigerian Navy has disrupted renewed attempts by economic saboteurs to re-establish illegal refining operations in Rivers State, amid growing concerns over fuel quality and petroleum product integrity. The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in an operational report issued on Sunday.
Folorunsho said the operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following credible intelligence reports.
According to him, naval personnel conducted a targeted anti-crude oil theft operation around the Oseokishikpa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He explained that the operation led to the discovery of two illegal refining sites made up of eight dugout pits and reservoirs containing approximately 15,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 105,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Folorunsho said the development underscored continuing efforts by criminal elements to revive refining infrastructure that had previously been dismantled by security agencies within the same area.
“The operation, therefore, not only disrupted illicit activities but also prevented the re-establishment of a refining network capable of sustaining crude oil theft and environmental degradation,” he said.
He added that the illegal refining sites and recovered products were handled in line with existing anti-crude oil theft procedures, thereby preventing economic saboteurs from accessing resources intended to sustain criminal operations.
Folorunsho reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to dismantle crude oil theft networks, protect critical national infrastructure and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests in the Niger Delta.
In a related development, some motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have continued to raise concerns over the quality of fuel being sold at some filling stations, alleging that the products burn faster and in some cases affect vehicle performance.
Residents and motorists who spoke in areas including Lugbe, Dutse, Gwarimpa, Bwari and Mararaba in Abuja expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as reduced value from fuel purchases.
Responding to the concerns, the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said it had pledged to investigate allegations relating to fuel quantity and irregularities at retail filling stations in Abuja.
Mr. George Ene-Ita of the agency said NMDPRA operates an on-field surveillance framework designed to detect anomalies in fuel dispensing across retail outlets.
Also reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr. Chinedu Ukadike, explained that fuel cost and fuel value should not be interpreted as the same.
He said the distance a vehicle travels depends largely on fuel volume purchased and vehicle efficiency.
“In the past, someone could spend ₦50,000 to fill a vehicle’s fuel tank. If the vehicle was in good condition, it could take the person from Abuja to Enugu depending on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.”
“Today, however, fuel prices have increased significantly. A litre of PMS may cost between ₦1,340 and ₦1,370, depending on the location and filling station.”
“At today’s prices, ₦50,000 may only buy around 36 litres instead of 50 litres. The distance that can be covered with 36 litres is obviously less than the distance that could be covered with 50 litres.”
“The cost of fuel is no longer equivalent to the value motorists previously enjoyed. The higher the price of fuel, the fewer litres consumers can purchase with the same amount of money.”
“This is why many motorists complain that ₦50,000 worth of fuel now lasts only a few days. The issue is not that the fuel disappears faster; it is that ₦50,000 now buys fewer litres instead of more.”
“The volume has reduced because the price has increased. Therefore, motorists who say that ₦50,000 worth of fuel no longer takes them as far as it used to are correct.”
“At current prices, ₦50,000 buys significantly less fuel than it did previously,” he said.
