Troops from the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested 14 suspected oil thieves in the Lekki Free Zone area of Lagos State. 

A statement by the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, stated that the operation, which was carried out in the early hours of April 16, 2026, followed credible intelligence.

Mr Yahaya said, “Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, the troops conducted a swift and coordinated operation in the early hours of 16 April 2026 at about 0130 hours. During the operation, the suspects were apprehended while actively siphoning petroleum products.”

“The criminals had illegally connected a long pipeline from the high sea to a tanker concealed in a bush location and were using a generator-powered pumping machine to transfer the products into the vehicle.”

He stated that while sighting the approaching troops, the suspects attempted to flee but were swiftly overpowered and arrested by the soldiers.

“Items recovered from the scene include a petroleum tanker truck loaded with siphoned petroleum products, one Lexus Highlander SUV with Registration Number APP 67 JQ Lagos, one Ford Hilux vehicle with Registration Number BY 117 FST Lagos, one pumping machine, one 40HP boat engine, and a large quantity of industrial hosepipes and other related bunkering equipment,” he said

He added that the arrested suspects and recovered items are currently in the custody of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army for preliminary investigation and subsequent handover to the appropriate prosecuting agencies in accordance with extant laws.

According to Mr Yahaya, the Nigerian Army reiterates its commitment to combating crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage, particularly in critical national infrastructure zones.

He urged members of the public to continue providing timely, credible information to the military and other security agencies to support ongoing operations.