Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 15 suspected oil thieves in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State during an operation targeting illegal activities around critical oil infrastructure.
The arrests were disclosed in an operational report released on Friday in Abuja, which said the suspects were apprehended in the early hours of the day by personnel of the Headquarters 9 Brigade in collaboration with the 65 Battalion.
According to the report, the operation followed credible intelligence indicating attempts to tamper with a crude oil discharge point linked to a vessel supplying crude to the Dangote Refinery.
The suspects were reportedly intercepted while trying to illegally tap into the discharge line as crude oil was being transferred for the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Military authorities said the operation led to the recovery of several items believed to have been used for the illicit activity.
Recovered items include a Mack tanker truck, a Lexus RX 350 sport utility vehicle, and a Ford Ranger pick-up truck. Others are a pumping machine, a 40-horsepower Yamaha speedboat engine, and multiple hoses.
The report added that the suspects, along with the recovered exhibits, are currently in the custody of the 65 Battalion, while investigations are ongoing.
It noted that the operation reflects the army’s continued efforts to safeguard critical national assets and combat crude oil theft in the country.