The Nigerian Navy, working with the Nigerian Army, has intercepted two vehicles carrying about 8,500 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products along the Ejemekuru–Obudi-Agwa axis in Imo State.
The operation, conducted on August 21, 2026, by personnel of Naval Base Oguta and the Nigerian Army, also resulted in the arrest of three suspects.
Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement.
He said the security personnel intercepted a tipper truck and a Toyota Hiace bus loaded with about 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.
He added that the suspects, vehicles and recovered products had been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary action in line with established procedures.
According to him, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of sustained inter-service cooperation and intelligence-led security efforts in disrupting the illegal movement of petroleum products and preventing criminal elements from exploiting established routes for economic crimes.
Folorunsho said the Nigerian Navy would continue to strengthen collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to tackle crude oil theft, illegal refining and the illicit movement of petroleum products, while safeguarding the country’s critical economic interests.
