The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, has intercepted two vehicles conveying approximately 8,500 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined petroleum products in Imo State.
The operation, carried out on Friday, 21 August 2026, along the Ejemekuru–Obudi-Agwa axis, was conducted by personnel of Naval Base Oguta and the Nigerian Army.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the joint operation led to the interception of a tipper truck and a Toyota Hiace bus carrying about 150 bags of suspected illegally refined petroleum products.
Three suspects were arrested during the operation, while some occupants of the second vehicle reportedly fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle.
The suspects, intercepted vehicles and recovered products have been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary action in line with established procedures.
The Nigerian Navy said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of sustained inter-service cooperation and intelligence-led security operations in disrupting the illegal movement of petroleum products and denying criminal elements the opportunity to exploit established routes for economic crimes.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the fight against crude oil theft, illegal refining and the illicit movement of petroleum products, while protecting Nigeria’s critical economic interests.
