The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, has intercepted two vehicles conveying about 8,500 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined petroleum products in Imo State.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was conducted on August 21, 2026, by personnel of Naval Base Oguta and the Nigerian Army along the Ejemekuru–Obudi-Agwa axis of the state.
The security personnel intercepted a tipper truck and a Toyota Hiace bus carrying approximately 150 bags of suspected illegally refined petroleum products. Three suspects were arrested during the operation, while some occupants of the second vehicle fled, abandoning the vehicle.
Folorunsho said the arrested suspects, vehicles and recovered products were subsequently taken into custody for further investigation and necessary action in accordance with established procedures.
He said the interception underscored 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 Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining and the illicit movement of petroleum products, while protecting Nigeria’s critical economic interests.
