The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, has intercepted two vehicles conveying approximately 8,500 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined petroleum products along the Ejemekuru–Obudi-Agwa axis of Imo State.
The operation, conducted on 21 August 2026 by personnel of Naval Base (NB) OGUTA and the Nigerian Army, led to the interception of a tipper truck and a Toyota Hiace bus carrying 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.
The arrested suspects, vehicles and recovered products were subsequently taken into custody for further investigation and necessary action in accordance with established procedures.
The interception underscores 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 remains committed 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.