By Desire Emmanuel
Troops of 81 Division of the Nigerian Army have successfully foiled a petroleum bunkering operation and arrested 14 suspected oil thieves at the Lekki Free Zone general area near the Dangote Refinery in Lagos State.
Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, the troops conducted a swift and coordinated operation in the early hours of Thursday, April 16, at about 1:30 a.m.
During the operation, the oil thieves were apprehended while actively siphoning petroleum products.
It was gathered that the criminals, while carrying out the theft, connected a long pipeline from the high sea to a tanker concealed in a bush and were using a generator-powered pumping machine to transfer the products into the vehicle.
On sighting the approaching troops, the suspects attempted to flee but were overpowered and arrested by the soldiers.
Items said to have been recovered from the scene included a petroleum tanker loaded with siphoned petroleum products, one Toyota Highlander SUV with registration number APP 67 JQ, one Hilux vehicle with registration number BY 117 FST, one pumping machine, one boat engine, a large quantity of industrial hosepipes and other related bunkering equipment.
According to the Nigerian Army in a statement on Friday, April 17, the arrested suspects and recovered items are currently in the custody of 81 Division of the Nigerian Army for preliminary investigation and subsequent handover to the appropriate prosecuting agencies.
