LA SUITE APRÈS LA PUBLICITÉ

Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 9 Brigade and 65 Battalion successfully apprehended 15 suspects on Friday April 17 during an attempt to siphon crude oil from a supply vessel destined for the Dangote Refinery.

Acting on credible intelligence, the military intercepted the group in the early hours at the Ibeju-Lekki axis. The suspects were reportedly caught in the act of connecting illegal pipes to the vessel’s discharge point while it was offloading crude intended for the production of Premium Motor Spirit -PMS and Automotive Gas Oil – AGO.

The operation resulted in the seizure of a significant cache of equipment used for the illegal activity, including a Mack tanker truck, a Lexus RX 350, a Ford Ranger pick-up, and a 40HP Yamaha speedboat engine. Pumping machines and multiple hose pipes were also recovered at the scene.

Currently, both the suspects and the seized exhibits are being held by the 65 Battalion as investigations continue. This successful intervention underscores the Nigerian Army’s ongoing commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and curbing the persistent menace of crude oil theft.

The Dangote Refinery, situated within the Lekki Free Trade Zone, represents a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial future. With a current capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, it stands as the largest refinery in Africa.

Ambitious expansion plans aim to increase this output to 1.4 million barrels per day, a scale that would potentially make it the largest refinery in the world upon completion. The facility’s security is paramount to the nation’s energy transition and economic stability, particularly as it ramps up domestic fuel production.

Beyond operational security, the refinery is poised for a massive financial milestone as Aliko Dangote prepares to list shares of the $20 billion facility on multiple African stock exchanges. This move is expected to be a landmark cross-border public offering, signaling high investor confidence and further integrating African capital markets.

As the refinery continues to scale its operations and financial footprint, the recent military success serves as a vital reminder of the security measures necessary to sustain such a significant national asset.