By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
Troops of the Nigerian army under the 81 Division have foiled an illegal petroleum bunkering operation in the Lekki Free Zone area of Lagos State, arresting 14 suspected oil thieves.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of April 16 followed credible intelligence on the activities of the suspects around the axis.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the suspects were apprehended while actively siphoning petroleum products.
Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects had illegally connected a long pipeline from the high sea to a tanker hidden within a bush, using a generator powered pumping machine to transfer the products.
The statement added that the suspects attempted to flee upon sighting the troops but were swiftly overpowered and arrested.
Items recovered during the operation include a tanker truck loaded with siphoned petroleum products, a Lexus Highlander SUV, a Ford Hilux vehicle, a pumping machine, a 40HP boat engine, and a large quantity of industrial hosepipes and other bunkering equipment.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for preliminary investigation and will be handed over to appropriate prosecuting authorities in line with extant laws.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to tackling crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage, particularly in critical national infrastructure zones urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.