Troops of Nigerian Army have disrupted a large-scale oil theft operation in Lagos State, leading to the arrest of 15 suspects and the recovery of several items used in illegal bunkering activities.
Gatekeepers News reports that the operation took place along the Lekki–Ibeju coastal axis, an area close to the Dangote Refinery corridor, following intelligence reports on ongoing crude oil theft activities.
Security sources said troops, deployed from Bonny Cantonment, stormed the Lekki Free Zone area in the early hours of Friday after surveillance indicated that a coordinated bunkering operation was underway at a creek linked to offshore barge operations.
On arrival, the soldiers reportedly caught suspects siphoning petroleum products from a vessel offshore. The stolen products were being transferred through improvised pipelines into a tanker truck stationed on land.
The operation involved the use of sophisticated equipment, including pumping machines, floating hoses, and a concealed offshore barge system designed to move petroleum from sea-based installations to land storage facilities.
Fifteen suspects were arrested at the scene, while items recovered include a Mack tanker truck, a Lexus RX 350 SUV, a Ford Ranger pickup, a Yamaha engine, pumping machines, and large quantities of industrial hoses.
However, troops were unable to access the offshore barge believed to be part of the network due to rough tidal conditions.
Military authorities said the suspects and recovered items are now in custody, while investigations are ongoing to uncover the wider syndicate, including offshore collaborators. Security forces have also intensified surveillance across Lagos coastal routes to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
The military added that follow-up operations will continue to dismantle remaining networks involved in illegal bunkering in the region.
