Navy seizes 1,800 litres of illegal diesel in Lagos raid

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on illegal petroleum activities with the seizure of about 1,800 litres of suspected illegally acquired diesel, also known as Automotive Gas Oil, during a late-night raid in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

The operation, carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lekki, was executed around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Mobido Axis of Ibeju-Lekki, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected oil thieves and illegal petroleum product dealers operating within the area.

According to the Nigerian Navy, the operation was intelligence-driven and formed part of ongoing efforts to curb the illegal trade and movement of petroleum products within Nigeria’s maritime and coastal environment.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, the Navy said operatives swiftly mobilised to the identified location, believed to be a storage point for illegally acquired petroleum products.

The statement noted that the suspects fled immediately they sighted the approaching naval patrol team, abandoning the products at the scene.

“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 statement said.

The Navy added that the confiscated products were evacuated to FOB Lekki for further handling in line with operational procedures, while the operation was concluded in the early hours of May 7, 2026.

The service described the raid as another demonstration of its determination to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other petroleum-related crimes threatening Nigeria’s economy and maritime security.

It stressed that ongoing operations across the nation’s maritime domain were specifically targeted at denying economic saboteurs the freedom to operate.

“The Nigerian Navy reiterates that there will be no hiding place for economic saboteurs, as ongoing operations are designed to give criminal elements no breathing space across the nation’s maritime domain,” the statement added.

The Navy further reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led operations aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economic assets, curbing oil theft, and strengthening security across coastal and littoral communities.