Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 15 individuals suspected of engaging in illegal oil activities around the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.
According to an operational report released on Friday in Abuja, the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated operation carried out by troops of the Headquarters 9 Brigade in collaboration with the 65 Battalion.
The operation, which was based on credible intelligence, took place in the early hours of the day. The suspects were reportedly intercepted while attempting to illegally tap crude oil from a discharge point connected to a vessel supplying crude to the Dangote Refinery.
Military sources revealed that the vessel was actively discharging crude oil intended for the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) when the suspects attempted to connect hoses to siphon the product.
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 SUV, and a Ford Ranger pickup truck. Other recovered items are a pumping machine, a 40-horsepower Yamaha speedboat engine, and multiple hose pipes.
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The suspects, along with the recovered exhibits, are currently in the custody of the 65 Battalion, where further investigations are ongoing.
The Nigerian Army stated that the successful operation highlights its continued commitment to safeguarding critical national infrastructure and combating crude oil theft across the country.
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