The Nigerian Navy has confiscated about 1,800 litres of suspected illegally acquired Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during an intelligence-led operation in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos.
The Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noted that the operation was conducted by personnel of the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lekki at about 10:30 p.m. on May 6, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected oil thieves and illegal petroleum product dealers operating within the area.
According to Folorunsho, the patrol team swiftly mobilised to the Mobido Axis of Ibeju-Lekki, a location suspected to be used as a storage point for illegally acquired petroleum products. He said the suspects fled the scene on sighting naval personnel, 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 substances suspected to be AGO, estimated at approximately 1,800 litres.
The confiscated products were subsequently evacuated to FOB Lekki for appropriate handling in line with extant operational procedures, while the operation was successfully concluded in the early hours of May 7, 2026.
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.
He added that the Navy would sustain aggressive intelligence-led operations aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s economic assets and enhancing maritime security across the country.
