Troops of the Nigerian Army under the 81 Division have dismantled a major illegal oil bunkering operation in the Lekki Free Zone area of Lagos, arresting 14 suspects in the early hours of April 16, 2026.
The operation, conducted around 1:30 a.m., followed credible intelligence that led troops to a concealed site near the Dangote Refinery.
The suspects were reportedly caught in the act of siphoning petroleum products through an illegal pipeline linked from the sea to a hidden tanker.
Security operatives recovered a range of equipment believed to have been used in the illicit operation, including a fully loaded tanker truck, a Lexus Highlander SUV, a Ford Hilux vehicle, a pumping machine, a 40-horsepower boat engine, and multiple industrial hosepipes.
The bust underscores the persistent challenge of oil theft in Nigeria, a practice that continues to undermine national revenue and strain efforts to secure critical energy infrastructure.
Authorities have repeatedly identified illegal bunkering as a significant contributor to economic losses in the oil sector.
While investigations are ongoing, the military has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations against crude oil theft and related criminal networks across the country.
