Army Arrests 15 Suspected Oil Thieves at Dangote Refinery Discharge Point

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 15 suspected oil thieves at the Ibeju-Lekki axis of Lagos State while attempting to tamper with a crude oil discharge facility linked to the Dangote Refinery.

The arrests were carried out in the early hours of Friday by troops of the 9 Brigade in collaboration with the 65 Battalion, following actionable intelligence, according to an operational report released in Abuja.

Military sources disclosed that the suspects were intercepted while trying to illegally connect pipes to a discharge point from a vessel supplying crude oil to the refinery.

The crude was reportedly being offloaded for the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) when the attempt was foiled.

The operation led to the recovery of several items believed to have been used in the illegal activity. These include a Mack tanker truck, a Lexus RX 350 sport utility vehicle, a Ford Ranger pick-up truck, a pumping machine, a 40-horsepower Yamaha speedboat engine, and multiple hose pipes.

The report confirmed that the suspects, along with the recovered exhibits, are currently in the custody of the 65 Battalion, with investigations ongoing.

The Nigerian Army said the operation highlights its sustained efforts to safeguard critical national infrastructure and combat crude oil theft, particularly in key oil and gas corridors across the country.