Quick Summary:
Nigerian Army troops under 81 Division dismantle a large-scale oil theft syndicate along the Lekki–Ibeju coastal axis of Lagos State, arresting 15 suspects and seizing petroleum equipment.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have dismantled a suspected large-scale oil theft syndicate operating along the Lekki–Ibeju coastal corridor of Lagos State, arresting 15 suspects and recovering equipment used for illegal petroleum activities.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of April 17, 2026, was carried out by troops of the 65 Battalion under the 81 Division, following sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance around the Dangote Refinery corridor.
Intelligence-Led Operation
According to a post by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X (formerly Twitter), the operation was the result of weeks of coordinated intelligence and close monitoring of suspicious movements linked to the group.
Equipment And Vehicles Recovered
During the raid, troops intercepted the suspects believed to be involved in siphoning petroleum products from pipelines and storage facilities.
Recovered items include trucks, marine equipment, and pumping machines suspected to have been used in the illegal operation.
The suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation and profiling, while efforts are ongoing to track other members of the network and identify their financiers.
Ongoing Anti-Oil Theft Campaign
The operation forms part of the Nigerian Army’s intensified campaign against oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which has expanded beyond the Niger Delta to coastal and industrial zones across the country.
Security analysts have commended the 81 Division’s proactive surveillance around the Dangote Refinery corridor, describing it as a strategic move to protect national energy infrastructure and deter economic sabotage.
