The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a suspected illegal petroleum storage depot in Rivers State, recovering about 10,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The discovery was made by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER on September 12, 2026, during a patrol of the Eleme–Okrika–Onne general area.
According to an official statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director Naval Information, the naval team found the suspected illegally refined AGO stored in 400 jerrycans of 25 litres each at a warehouse around the Eleme Express area.
The Navy said the products were suspected to have been sourced from locations outside the immediate community and stored for onward sale to buyers.
Although no illegal refining site was found at the location, the Navy said the operation disrupted a critical link in the illicit petroleum supply chain by denying operators a facility for storing and distributing illegally refined products.
The recovered products were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, while no arrest was made as the suspected operators fled upon sighting the naval patrol team.
