LAGOS — Personnel of the Nigerian Navy have intercepted 500 litres of petroleum products suspected to have been illegally sourced, alongside substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa, during an operation in Folu Community, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lekki) as part of the Navy’s continuing efforts to disrupt the illegal trade and storage of petroleum products as well as the movement and proliferation of illicit drugs within its area of responsibility. The interception was confirmed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho. Current reports from multiple Nigerian outlets attribute the details to the Navy’s operational report.
The petroleum products recovered during the operation were identified as suspected illegally sourced Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), while the other recovered substances were suspected to be cannabis. The Navy did not state that the substances had been conclusively identified as narcotics, leaving that determination to the appropriate investigative process.
According to Folorunsho, the individuals believed to be connected with the illicit activity escaped from the location before naval personnel could apprehend them. The recovery was therefore made without any reported arrest at the scene, while the Navy secured the abandoned items for further investigation.
The recovered petroleum products and suspected narcotic substances were subsequently conveyed to the base, where they are to remain subject to further investigation and whatever action is considered appropriate under established procedures.
The Navy said the operation reflects its continuing efforts to disrupt activities that could affect Nigeria’s economic interests, public safety and security, particularly within coastal communities and areas under its operational responsibility.
Folorunsho said the latest interception forms part of the Navy’s wider campaign against economic sabotage, illicit trafficking and other criminal activities capable of threatening maritime security.
The Navy has also indicated that surveillance and enforcement operations will continue across its areas of responsibility as it seeks to prevent criminal elements from using coastal locations and waterways for the illegal movement, storage or distribution of petroleum products and other prohibited substances.
The seizure in Folu Community consequently represents another enforcement action aimed at disrupting illicit activities within the Lekki area, while the suspects who fled the scene remain subject to efforts to identify and apprehend them.
For now, the recovered AGO and suspected cannabis have been placed under the custody of the Navy pending the completion of the necessary investigation and further action in accordance with established procedures.
Navy Intercepts 500 Litres of Suspected Illegal AGO, Cannabis in Lekki
