The Nigerian Navy says it has confiscated about 1,800 litres of suspected illegally acquired diesel during a raid in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base, Lekki, following intelligence reports on suspected oil theft and illegal petroleum trading activities in the area.
In a statement on Thursday, Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, said naval operatives stormed a suspected storage site at Mobido Axis in Ibeju-Lekki around 10:30 p.m. on May 6.
According to him, the suspects fled the scene after sighting security personnel.
“On sighting naval personnel, the suspects fled the scene, abandoning the products,” Folorunsho said.
He added that security operatives recovered 10 containers of 30 litres each and five drums containing substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil, estimated at about 1,800 litres.
The products were later evacuated to the FOB Lekki facility for further investigation and necessary action.
Folorunsho said the operation highlighted the Navy’s continued crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal petroleum activities in Nigeria’s coastal communities.
He reiterated the Navy’s commitment to denying “economic saboteurs’ freedom of action” within the country’s maritime environment.
“Ongoing intelligence-driven operations will continue to target criminal networks involved in oil theft and illegal trade in petroleum products,” he added.
