Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 15 individuals suspected of attempting to steal crude oil from a Dangote refinery supply vessel in Lagos.
However, The arrest announced in an operational report released on Friday in Abuja. Also, According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspects apprehended in the early hours of the same day.
The operation conducted by troops from Headquarters 9 Brigade in collaboration with 65 Battalion. Acting on credible intelligence, they intercepted the suspects at the Ibeju-Lekki area.
Details of the Incident
Also, The report revealed that the suspects were caught trying to illegally tap into the crude oil discharge point of a Dangote refinery supply vessel.
“The vessel was discharging crude oil to the refinery for the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) when the suspects were caught attempting to connect pipes to the discharge point,” the report stated.
The operation led to the arrest of 15 suspects and the seizure of several items used in the illegal activity.
Recovered Items
Moreover, Items recovered from the suspects include:
- A Mack tanker truck
- A Lexus RX 350 SUV
- A Ford Ranger pick-up truck
- A pumping machine
- A 40HP Yamaha speedboat engine
- Multiple hose pipes
The suspects and the seized items are currently in the custody of 65 Battalion, and further investigations are underway.
Broader Implications
The report emphasized that this successful operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s ongoing commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and combating crude oil theft across the country.
About the Dangote Refinery
Located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos, the Dangote Refinery is Africa’s largest refinery, with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.