Troops have recorded an oil thieves arrest at the Dangote Refinery discharge point in Lagos State, where 15 suspected individuals were intercepted during an attempt to illegally tap crude oil from a vessel supplying the facility. The operation took place around the Ibeju-Lekki axis, where security forces moved in following intelligence reports on suspected tampering activities at the discharge point.
The oil thieves arrest occurred at a critical section of Nigeria’s crude supply infrastructure, where vessels discharge crude oil for refining operations at the Dangote Refinery in Lekki. The refinery, one of Africa’s largest, relies on continuous crude supply through maritime and pipeline-linked logistics systems.
Crude oil theft remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, with security agencies frequently deploying joint operations to protect infrastructure and prevent economic losses. The military and other security formations have intensified surveillance around key oil and gas facilities in recent years.
According to operational reports, troops of the Nigerian Army, under 9 Brigade in conjunction with 65 Battalion, carried out the oil thieves arrest after receiving credible intelligence on suspicious activity at the discharge point.
The suspects were apprehended in the early hours while allegedly attempting to connect pipes to a crude discharge line from a vessel supplying the Dangote Refinery. Security personnel recovered several items believed to have been used in the attempted diversion operation, including vehicles and pumping equipment.
Military sources stated that the intervention prevented what could have resulted in large-scale crude diversion from the supply chain. The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to determine the extent of involvement and possible collaborators.
The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Zone, has become a strategic national asset due to its role in domestic fuel production and reduction of import dependence. Its supply infrastructure has therefore been placed under heightened security monitoring.
The oil thieves arrest adds to ongoing operations by security agencies targeting illegal bunkering and crude oil theft across Nigeria’s oil-producing and refining corridors. The oil thieves arrest highlights continued vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s oil logistics chain, particularly around high-value infrastructure such as refinery discharge points and pipeline systems.
It also reflects ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb crude theft, which has been identified as a major factor affecting national revenue and production efficiency. Sustained incidents of attempted diversion may prompt further tightening of security protocols around refinery supply routes and increased surveillance coordination among military and civilian agencies.
