The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on illegal petroleum activities with the confiscation of about 1,800 litres of suspected illegally acquired Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, during an intelligence-led operation in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lekki at about 10:30 p.m. on May 6, 2026.
Folorunsho said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected oil thieves and illegal petroleum product dealers operating around the Mobido Axis of Ibeju-Lekki.
He explained that acting on the intelligence, the naval patrol team swiftly mobilised to the identified location believed to be used as a storage point for illegally acquired petroleum products.
“On sighting naval personnel, the perpetrators fled the scene, abandoning the products,” he said.
The naval spokesman disclosed that a thorough search of the area led to the discovery and confiscation of 10 containers of 30 litres each, alongside five drums containing products suspected to be AGO, estimated at about 1,800 litres.
He added that the confiscated products were evacuated to FOB Lekki for appropriate handling in line with operational procedures, while the operation was successfully concluded in the early hours of May 7, 2026.
Folorunsho noted that the operation reflects the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to combating illegal petroleum-related activities and denying economic saboteurs freedom of action within the maritime environment.
“The Nigerian Navy reiterates that there will be no hiding place for economic saboteurs, as ongoing operations are designed to give criminal elements no breathing space across the nation’s maritime domain,” he stated.
He further assured that the Navy would continue to sustain aggressive intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economic assets and strengthening maritime security across the country.
