Nigerian Navy operatives have dismantled an illegal oil refinery in two Ondo communities and arrested seven suspects.
The commander said refined diesel, crude oil, and weapons were recovered during the raid.
Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, have dismantled an illegal oil refining site in Obe-Jedo and Obe-Adun, two communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Commander of the base, Navy Captain Aliyu Usman, confirmed the development, revealing that seven suspects were apprehended at the scene. He added that locally made guns and machetes believed to have been used in resisting arrest were recovered during the operation.
According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence reports on economic sabotage and other maritime crimes taking place in the area. During the raid, the naval team discovered about 3,000 litres of refined diesel stored in jerrycans and several makeshift ovens used in processing stolen crude oil.
Captain Usman explained that early findings from the investigation showed the arrested individuals were not the main operators but secondary participants in the illegal trade. They have since been released, while the principal actors behind the operation have been declared wanted.
He narrated that the Navy’s anti-crude oil theft team initially encountered violent resistance from a group of hired youths and women who attempted to protect the illegal activities. To avoid casualties, the operatives withdrew for tactical reassessment and later returned to complete the operation.
“When we came back in the early hours of the next day, we discovered that the stolen crude and refined products had been moved to a nearby bakery and some makeshift buildings used as storage points,” Usman said. “The illegal refinery was later dismantled as directed by the Defence Headquarters.”
The commander described the confrontation as a dangerous attempt by criminal elements to obstruct legitimate security operations and undermine the country’s economy.
He reaffirmed that the exercise was in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive to eliminate crude oil theft and protect national resources.
Captain Usman also appealed to residents of riverine communities in Ondo State to stay away from illegal oil activities and avoid being used by economic saboteurs. He warned that anyone who aids or obstructs naval operations against oil theft would be treated as an accomplice and face prosecution.
