The Nigerian navy has raided and shut down an illegal refinery in Obe-Jedo and Obe-Adun communities in Ilaje, Ondo state, arresting seven individuals and recovering weapons and refined products in the process.
Commander of the navy’s forward operating base in Igbokoda, Captain Aliyu Usman, said the raid followed credible intelligence pointing to economic sabotage and crude oil theft in the area.
Officers recovered roughly 3,000 litres of refined diesel, several jerrycans, cooking ovens used for processing crude oil, and locally made firearms and machetes.
According to Usman, the initial intervention met resistance from a group of youths and women protecting the facility.
“The team withdrew temporarily, regrouped, and returned at dawn, discovering that much of the refined fuel had been moved to nearby makeshift storage, including a bakery.
“The refinery was subsequently deactivated following defence headquarters guidelines,” he stated.
The navy confirmed that some of the arrested individuals were secondary actors and have since been released, but the main operators are being actively sought.
Usman warned that anyone obstructing navy anti-crude oil theft operations would be treated as an accomplice and prosecuted.
The commander emphasized that illegal refining undermines local livelihoods and damages riverine ecosystems.
He urged residents not to participate in or support illicit oil operations, stressing that such activities benefit a few at the expense of the broader community.
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