Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 15 suspected oil thieves in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, according to an operational report released Friday.
The report said the suspects were arrested in the early hours of Friday by troops of Headquarters 9 Brigade in conjunction with 65 Battalion, following what it described as credible intelligence.
It said the suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to illegally tap into a crude oil discharge point from a vessel supplying crude to the Dangote Refinery.
The vessel was discharging crude oil for the production of Premium Motor Spirit and Automotive Gas Oil when the suspects were caught trying to connect pipes to the discharge point, the report said.
The operation led to the arrest of the 15 suspects and the recovery of equipment allegedly used in the illegal activity, including a Mack tanker truck, a Lexus RX 350 sport utility vehicle and a Ford Ranger pickup truck.
Other recovered items include a pumping machine, a 40-horsepower Yamaha speedboat engine and several hose pipes.
The suspects and exhibits are in the custody of 65 Battalion, while investigations are ongoing.
The report said the operation underscores ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army to protect critical national infrastructure and curb crude oil theft in the country.
