The Nigerian Navy has confiscated about 1,800 litres of suspected illegally acquired Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in an intelligence-led operation in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, on Thursday in Abuja.
Folorunsho said the operation was carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lekki following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected oil thieves and illegal petroleum product dealers in the area.
He said the patrol team mobilised to a location at Mobido Axis, Ibeju-Lekki, around 10:30 p.m. on May 6, believed to be a storage site for illegally acquired petroleum products.
“On sighting naval personnel, the suspects fled the scene, abandoning the products.
“A search of the area led to the discovery of 10 containers of 30 litres each and five drums filled with substances suspected to be AGO, estimated at about 1,800 litres,” he said.
Folorunsho said the confiscated products were evacuated to the FOB Lekki for further necessary action in line with operational procedures.
He said the operation, concluded in the early hours of May 7, underscored the Navy’s sustained crackdown on illegal petroleum-related activities.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to denying economic saboteurs freedom of action within Nigeria’s maritime and littoral environment.
He added that ongoing intelligence-driven operations would continue to target criminal networks involved in oil theft and illegal trade in petroleum products.
