Navy Destroys Illegal Refinery in Ondo, Arrests 7 Suspects

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda have uncovered and dismantled a large-scale illegal refinery operating across Obe-Jedo and Obe-Adun communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Speaking to journalists, the FOB Commander, Navy Captain Aliyu Usman, confirmed that seven suspects were arrested during the raid, while locally made guns and machetes used in resisting arrest were recovered at the site.

According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence on ongoing crude oil theft and other maritime crimes in the area.

“We discovered about 3,000 litres of refined diesel stored in jerrycans, along with several locally fabricated ovens used to process stolen crude oil,” Usman revealed.

He explained that initial investigations showed the arrested individuals were secondary participants, and have since been released after interrogation, while the main operators of the illegal refinery have been declared wanted.

The Commander disclosed that the Navy team initially faced violent resistance from hired youths and women who tried to block their access to the site. To avoid unnecessary confrontation, the operatives withdrew briefly before returning at dawn to complete the operation.

 “By the time we came back, the stolen crude and refined diesel had been moved to a nearby bakery and makeshift stores,” he said. “We proceeded to deactivate the illegal refinery completely, in line with Defence Headquarters’ directive.”

Captain Usman condemned the attackers’ actions, describing them as a dangerous new tactic by criminals trying to sabotage national assets and frustrate security operations.

He stressed that the Navy’s crackdown is part of the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive to curb crude oil theft and protect national economic interests.

“We urge law-abiding citizens in riverine communities to resist being used by oil thieves,” Usman warned. “These crimes only enrich a few people while destroying the environment and livelihoods of the entire community.”

He further cautioned that anyone found obstructing naval operations would be treated as an accomplice and prosecuted accordingly.