Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, have uncovered and dismantled an illegal refinery in the Obe-Jedo and Obe-Adun communities of the Ilaje Local Council Area of Ondo State.

The Commander of the FOB, Navy Captain Aliyu Usman, who confirmed the operation, disclosed that seven suspects were arrested at the scene, while locally made guns and machetes believed to have been used in resisting the Navy’s intervention were recovered.

According to Usman, the raid followed credible intelligence on economic sabotage and maritime crimes, adding that the Navy discovered about 3,000 litres of refined diesel stored in several jerrycans, as well as multiple cooking ovens used for processing stolen crude oil.

He stated that, however, preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested suspects were secondary actors in the operation and had since been released.

Usman emphasised that the Navy has declared the primary suspects wanted to ensure they face prosecution for economic crimes against the nation.
According to Captain Usman, the Navy’s anti-crude oil theft team initially faced violent resistance from a group of hired youths and women who attempted to shield the illegal activity. To prevent escalation, the operatives withdrew from the area for a tactical reassessment.

He said, “The team later returned in the early hours of the following day and discovered that the stolen crude oil and refined products had been moved to a nearby bakery and makeshift structures used as storage facilities.
“The illegal refinery was subsequently deactivated in line with directives from Defence Headquarters and established operational procedures.”
Captain Usman condemned the violent confrontation as a “dangerous innovation” by criminal elements determined to frustrate legitimate security operations and sabotage national resources.

The Navy Commander reiterated that the anti-crude-oil-theft efforts are in line with the vision and directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff.
“The Nigerian Navy urges all law-abiding residents of riverine communities in Ondo State to resist being used by oil thieves and illegal bunkerers,” he warned. “These criminal ventures benefit only a few while destroying the livelihoods and ecosystems of the entire community.”

He further cautioned that anyone who obstructs or confronts the Navy’s anti-crude oil theft operations would be treated as an accomplice and prosecuted accordingly.

The Guardian recently reported that the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, confirmed the arrest of 50 suspects and seizure of 11 illegal refinery hubs across Rivers, Abia, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States.

The troops also recovered a total of 25,000 litres of stolen products, illegal refining sites, crude oil, chemicals, boats, and other materials used for oil theft.

The 6 Division released the report yesterday, noting that the coordinated operations were conducted in synergy with other security agencies. The operations, which disrupted illegal oil businesses, lasted for two weeks, from June 30 to Sunday, July 13, 2025, targeting bunkering networks, smuggling routes, and oil theft infrastructure.
“Troops conducted clearance operations along the Imo River, where seven illegal refining sites were destroyed, including 35 drum pots, 14 drum receivers, and three big coolants,” Danjuma stated.