Nigerian Navy Intensifies Anti-crude Oil Theft Operations, Illegally Refined Products

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another significant operational gain in its ongoing efforts against crude oil theft and illegal refining, with the discovery of 3 suspected illegal refining sites, 6 reservoirs and approximately 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) across operational areas in Rivers and Delta States.
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The discoveries were made in separate operations conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA on 31 August 2026, following credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities. The operations also uncovered illegal refining infrastructure, including a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil.

The combined discoveries represent a substantial disruption to illicit petroleum activities, particularly the storage and processing infrastructure required to sustain the illegal trade. The identified sites, facilities and recovered products were appropriately handled in accordance with established procedures.

Nigerian Navy

The latest successes demonstrate the Nigerian Navy’s ability to maintain pressure across multiple operational areas while denying criminal networks the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.

Signed

Abiodun Folorunsho

Navy Captain

Director Naval Information
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NIGERIAN Navy, in Collaboration with Sister Security Agencies Foiled Illegal Recruitment Scheme, Arrest 12 in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has foiled an illegal recruitment and training scheme operating outside the framework of recognised law and regulatory authority, with the potential to defraud unsuspecting members of the public in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
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The operation was conducted on 31 August 2026 by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) JUBILEE, in collaboration with Headquarters 2 Brigade/Operation THUNDER, 6 Battalion Nigerian Army and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, following credible intelligence on the activities of a purported Nigeria Coast Guard Academy at Uwa West, Essien Udim.

The joint team raided the Merchant Seaman Academy, which was allegedly being used as a venue for the unauthorised recruitment and training of persons presented as provisional cadets of the purported agency. Preliminary findings indicated that the recruitment and training activities were not authorised or recognised under applicable law, raising concerns that unsuspecting Nigerians could be lured into the scheme through false representations.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 12 persons, comprising six suspected organisers/officials, five recruits or trainees and one cadet of the Merchant Seaman Academy. The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Violent Crime Response Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for further investigation and necessary legal action.

The intervention highlights the Nigerian Navy’s proactive approach to identifying emerging threats before they develop into wider security and public-safety challenges. The operation has also helped disrupt a structure allegedly exploiting the legitimate aspirations of Nigerians seeking careers in the maritime and security sectors.

The Nigerian Navy urges members of the public to exercise caution when responding to recruitment advertisements or offers from purported security, maritime or military organisations, particularly where such organisations cannot establish appropriate legal recognition or regulatory approval. Prospective applicants are encouraged to verify the authenticity of such organisations and recruitment exercises through appropriate government channels before committing funds or personal information.

Nigerian Navy

The successful operation further demonstrates the value of intelligence-led action and inter-agency cooperation in protecting citizens from criminal exploitation. The Nigerian Navy remains committed to working with sister security agencies to safeguard lives and property, disrupt criminal enterprises and deny unscrupulous elements the opportunity to exploit the public.

Signed

Abiodun Folorunsho

Navy Captain

Director Naval

Information
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Ola Olukoyede Charges EFCC’s Media Managers on Emerging Technologies in Information Dissemination

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged Heads of Public Affairs across the Commission to embrace emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), and deploy innovative, strategic and credible communication approaches to effectively tell the EFCC story, counter misinformation and strengthen public confidence in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
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He gave the charge on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the closing ceremony of a Two-Day Executive Master Class on AI, Digital Media, Fact-Checking and Strategic Corporate Communication for Public Institutions, organised for Heads of Public Affairs Departments of the Commission at its Headquarters in Abuja.

Represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda, Olukoyede commended the organisers and participants for the success of the Master Class, noting that the rapidly changing communication environment demanded that the Commission’s communication professionals remain ahead of emerging technologies, trends and narratives.

The EFCC boss said the training was particularly timely as the Commission continued to strengthen its engagement with Nigerians and communicate the impact of its activities in the fight against economic and financial crimes. He urged the participants to translate the knowledge acquired into improved performance, stressing that “effective communication is central to public understanding, institutional credibility and sustainable support for the anti-corruption campaign.”

He also stressed that the Commission expected its Public Affairs officers to use the knowledge gained from the programme to develop more compelling narratives, respond intelligently to emerging issues and ensure that the EFCC’s story is told with accuracy, speed and credibility.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman, Commander of the EFCC, CE Michael Nzekwe, spoke glowingly about the contributions of the Public Affairs arm of the Commission to the projection of the EFCC’s image and the advancement of its anti-corruption mandate.

He acknowledged the strategic role being played by Public Affairs officers in explaining the Commission’s work to the public, shaping public understanding of its activities and ensuring that the relevance of the EFCC in the fight against corruption remains visible in the public space. He encouraged the communication team to sustain its professionalism, creativity, and commitment to telling the Commission’s story in ways that resonate with Nigerians.

The Director, Public Affairs Department, Commander of the EFCC, CE Wilson Uwujaren, expressed appreciation to the management of the Commission for sponsoring the training, describing the investment in the capacity development of Public Affairs officers as timely and valuable.

Uwujaren urged the participants to put the knowledge acquired into optimal use, stressing that the true value of any training was measured by its impact on performance. He charged the Heads of Public Affairs Department in the zones to return to their various formations better equipped to deploy emerging communication technologies, fact-check information, develop compelling digital content and communicate the activities of the Commission more strategically.

Giving the vote of thanks on behalf of the facilitators of the programme, the Executive Director of the West Africa Broadcast Media Academy, WABMA, Mike Yawe, described the two-day engagement as an intensive and impactful learning experience. He thanked the EFCC for giving WABMA the opportunity to engage with what he described as a professional and highly interactive team.

Yawe observed that the training went beyond conventional lectures, providing participants with an opportunity to “learn, unlearn, rethink and refine” their approaches to communication.

According to him, one of the major lessons from the training was that “the communication environment has changed, and communicators must change with it.” He noted that Artificial Intelligence was no longer something communication professionals could afford to observe from a distance as it offered opportunities to research faster, generate ideas, analyse information, improve content and achieve better results within shorter periods.

However, he cautioned that technology remained a tool, stressing that human communicators must continue to provide judgement, ethics, context and responsibility in the use of AI.

The WABMA Executive Director commended the quality of participation during the brainstorming sessions, noting that the questions, experiences and perspectives shared by participants demonstrated that the EFCC communication team was thinking deeply about its responsibility to the institution and the Nigerian public. He, however, challenged the participants to take the lessons from the Master Class back to their various offices and put them into practice.

“Use the AI tools responsibly. Verify before you amplify. Think strategically before you communicate. And never compromise the credibility of the institution you represent,” he charged.

He expressed appreciation to the management of the EFCC, the Public Affairs Department , facilitators and participants for making the two-day programme engaging and productive, while expressing hope that the engagement would mark the beginning of a continuing professional relationship between the Commission and WABMA.

Olukoyede

The Master Class provided participants with practical exposure to emerging trends in Artificial Intelligence, Digital storytelling, Fact-checking, Misinformation management, Strategic corporate communication and Contemporary media engagement, with emphasis on their application to public-sector communication.

Resource persons from WABMA took the participants through a gamut of professional tutoring, experience-sharing, life application and global excursion in strategic communication.
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