Troops foil oil theft operation in Lagos, arrest 15 suspects
Troops of the Nigerian Army have disrupted a major illegal oil bunkering operation along the Lekki–Ibeju coastline in Lagos, arresting 15 suspects and dismantling a well-organized theft network.
The operation, reportedly based on intelligence gathered over time, targeted criminal activities occurring near the Dangote Refinery corridor. According to security sources cited by Zagazola Makama, troops acted in the early hours of Friday after confirming ongoing siphoning of petroleum products in the area.
Personnel deployed from Bonny Cantonment advanced into the Lekki Free Zone following reports of coordinated illegal bunkering at a creek linked to offshore barge operations. Upon arrival around 1:30 a.m., soldiers discovered suspects actively transferring petroleum products from a vessel stationed offshore.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate used an improvised pipeline system to channel the products from the vessel to a tanker truck waiting onshore. The setup included floating hoses, pumping machines, and a concealed offshore barge designed to move petroleum from sea-based sources to land transport systems.
Troops arrested the suspects at the scene and immediately halted the operation. However, rough tidal conditions prevented access to a barge believed to be a key part of the network.
Recovered items include a Mack tanker truck, a Lexus RX 350 SUV, a Ford Ranger pickup truck, a pumping machine, a 40-horsepower Yamaha engine, and large volumes of industrial hose pipes.
Authorities confirmed that both the suspects and the seized equipment are in custody, with investigations ongoing to identify additional collaborators, including offshore operators and onshore support networks.
Security forces have since increased surveillance across coastal routes and industrial zones in Lagos as part of broader efforts to combat crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and the illegal diversion of petroleum products. The military also indicated that follow-up operations are underway to track down remaining members of the syndicate and dismantle its logistics network.
