Navy recovers 114,500 litres of petroleum products, arrests 10 drug suspects

The Nigerian Navy has recovered 114,500 litres of petroleum products suspected to be linked to crude oil theft and illegal refining in Rivers State, while arresting 10 suspects in a joint anti-illicit drug operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the successes were achieved through credible intelligence about a suspected illegal refining site in Orashi Forest, Ogbogolo community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, on October 15, 2026.

“The site contained five large dugout pits holding approximately 105,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, and 18 smaller pits containing about 9,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil,” the statement said.

The statement revealed that the suspected operators fled upon sighting the naval personnel and that the recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures.

In a separate operation conducted between October 14 and 15, 2026, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA and the NDLEA raided locations suspected of being used for the storage, sale and distribution of illicit drugs in Uvwie, Eboh Road, Jakpa Road, Ozuaka community, Orogun, Otokutu and Ughelli.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects and the recovery of substances suspected to include cocaine, methamphetamine, tramadol, cannabis, cannabis seeds, Colorado and other related exhibits.

The suspects and exhibits were handed over to the NDLEA Warri Area Command for further investigation and prosecution.

The Navy said the operations addressed two distinct threats to national security: the theft and illegal processing of petroleum resources, and the distribution of illicit drugs that fuel criminal activity.

Navy recovers 114,500 litres of petroleum products, arrests 10 drug suspects