Navy seizes 1,800 litres of illegal diesel in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on illegal trade and movement of petroleum products with the confiscation of 1,800 litres of suspected illegally acquired Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) also known as diesel during an intelligence-driven operation in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

The operation, carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lekki at about 10:30pm on Wednesday at Mobido Axis, Ibeju-Lekki, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected oil thieves and illegal petroleum product dealers operating within the area, a statement by the Navy said.

The statement issued by Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, said the patrol team swiftly mobilised to the identified location suspected to be used as a storage point for illegally acquired petroleum products, noting that the perpetrators, on sighting naval personnel, fled the scene abandoning the products.

“A thorough search of the area led to the discovery and confiscation of 10 containers of 30 litres each and five drums containing products suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), estimated at about 1,800 litres.

“The confiscated products were subsequently evacuated to FOB Lekki for appropriate handling in line with extant operational procedures. The operation was successfully concluded in the early hours of 7 May 2026,” the statement said.

Folorunsho said the operation underscored the Nigerian Navy’s continued resolve to combat illegal petroleum-related activities and deny economic saboteurs freedom of action within the maritime and littoral environment.

“The Navy reiterated that there will be no hiding place for economic saboteurs, as ongoing operations will give criminal elements no breathing space across the nation’s maritime domain.

“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led operations aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s economic assets and enhancing maritime security, ” the statement concluded.