Gallant troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled a “large-scale” illegal oil bunkering operation going on along the Lekki–Ibeju coastal axis of Lagos state.
The oil theft syndicate was also dismantled.
Zagazola akama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, who first broke the news said that 15 suspects were arrested, with troops recovering multiple vehicles, marine equipment, and pumping devices used in illegal petroleum siphoning.
Reliable security sources told Makama that the operation was conducted in the early hours of Friday following sustained human intelligence and surveillance on suspected crude oil and refined product theft activities in the area close to the Dangote Refinery corridor.
“According to the sources, the troops deployed from Bonny Cantonment moved into the Lekki Free Zone general area after intelligence indicated that a coordinated illegal bunkering operation was ongoing at a creek location linked to offshore barge activities,” the report reads.
“The sources explained that upon arrival at about 1:30 a.m., troops discovered that suspected bunkerers were actively siphoning petroleum products from a vessel positioned offshore.
“The product was reportedly being transferred through an improvised pipeline system into a waiting tanker truck stationed onshore.
“The illegal operation, according to the sources, involved the use of floating hoses, pumping machines, and a concealed offshore barge system, designed to move petroleum products from sea-based installations into land-based storage and transport vehicles.”
Items recovered comprise a Mack tanker truck, a Lexus RX 350 SUV, a Ford Ranger pickup, a pumping machine, a 40HP Yamaha engine, and large quantities of industrial hose pipes.
“Security forces have also intensified surveillance across coastal routes and industrial installations in Lagos State as part of wider efforts to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal petroleum product diversion,” the publication added.
“The military assured that follow-up operations will continue to target remaining members of the syndicate and dismantle all associated logistics chains supporting illegal bunkering activities in the region.”
