Nigerian Army Condemns Soldiers’ Alleged Involvement in Dangote Refinery Theft

The Nigerian Army has strongly condemned the alleged involvement of two of its personnel in a theft incident reported at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.

The military institution has expressed deep concern over the matter, emphasizing that the act does not align with its ethical values and standards.

In a statement issued on April 18, 2024, by Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the army’s spokesman, the organization described the incident as “totally unacceptable and highly regrettable.”

Nwachukwu stressed that the Nigerian Army remains committed to upholding discipline and integrity within its ranks and will not tolerate any act of criminality among its personnel.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the two soldiers were allegedly hired by a civilian contractor named Mr. Smart, who claimed he wanted to recover some armoured cables he had left behind on the refinery premises.

However, upon approaching the security post, the contractor reportedly abandoned the soldiers and fled the scene.

The apprehended soldiers are currently under custody, and the stolen cables have been recovered and are in safe custody.

The Nigerian Army is working closely with the management of the Dangote Refinery to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.

General Nwachukwu reassured the public that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against the culprits, as the Nigerian Army remains steadfast in promoting accountability and ethical behavior among its personnel.

The incident has raised concerns about the integrity and discipline of the Nigerian Army, prompting a strong response from the institution to address the issue and prevent similar occurrences in the future.