The Nigerian Navy has intensified its operations against illegal petroleum trade and economic sabotage with the confiscation of approximately 1,800 litres of suspected illegally sourced Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during an intelligence-led raid in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.
The operation was carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lekki at about 2230 hours on May 6, 2026, at the Mobido axis in Ibeju-Lekki, following credible intelligence on suspected oil theft activities and illicit petroleum storage within the area.
Acting on the information, naval operatives swiftly mobilised to the identified location, believed to be serving as a storage site for illegally acquired petroleum products. On arrival, the suspects fled the scene, abandoning the products.
A subsequent search of the premises led to the discovery and seizure of 10 containers of 30 litres each, along with five drums filled with suspected AGO, bringing the estimated total quantity to about 1,800 litres.
The confiscated products were evacuated to FOB Lekki for further investigation and handling in line with established operational procedures. The exercise was concluded in the early hours of May 7, 2026.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain A. A. Folorunsho, the operation reflects the Navy’s sustained commitment to disrupting illegal petroleum activities and curbing economic sabotage within Nigeria’s maritime and coastal environment.
He reiterated that there would be “no hiding place for economic saboteurs,” stressing that ongoing intelligence-driven operations are designed to deny criminal networks freedom of action across the nation’s maritime domain.
The Navy further reaffirmed its resolve to maintain aggressive surveillance and enforcement operations aimed at protecting national economic assets and strengthening maritime security.
