Navy Busts 114,500 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Products, Arrests 10 Drug Suspects in Delta, Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered approximately 114,500 litres of petroleum products suspected to be linked to crude oil theft and illegal refining in Rivers State and arrested 10 suspects during a joint anti-drug operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State.
The operations, conducted between October 14 and 15, 2026, targeted suspected illegal refining facilities and locations allegedly used for the storage, sale and distribution of illicit drugs, according to a statement by the Navy’s Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
In Rivers State, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, acting on credible intelligence on October 15, discovered a suspected illegal refining site in Orashi Forest, Ogbogolo community, Ahoada West Local Government Area.
The Navy said 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, alongside 18 smaller pits containing about 9,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
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The suspected operators reportedly fled upon sighting the naval personnel, while the recovered petroleum products were handled in accordance with established procedures.
In a separate operation in Delta State, personnel of NNS DELTA and the NDLEA raided suspected drug storage and distribution locations in Uvwie, Eboh Road, Jakpa Road, Ozuaka community, Orogun, Otokutu and Ughelli between October 14 and 15.
The operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the recovery of substances suspected to include cocaine, methamphetamine, tramadol, cannabis, cannabis seeds, Colorado and other related exhibits.
According to the statement, the suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA Warri Area Command for further investigation and possible legal action.
The Navy said the operations addressed two distinct security concerns: the theft and illegal processing of petroleum resources and the distribution of illicit drugs associated with criminal activities.
It added that it would sustain intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration to dismantle illegal refining infrastructure, disrupt illicit supply networks and protect national assets across its areas of responsibility.
The statement reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to working with relevant security agencies to combat economic and drug-related crimes in the Niger Delta.
By PRNigeria
