The Nigerian Army has confirmed that two soldiers allegedly involved in the theft of armoured cables at the Dangote Refinery are currently in custody. The soldiers, who arrived at the facility in an Acura jeep on Sunday, were apprehended at the main gate with 897 armoured cables that had been cut.
In a statement issued by the Director Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Wednesday, the incident was described as “totally unacceptable and highly regrettable.” The Army emphasized that the actions of the soldiers do not align with the ethics and values of the Nigerian Army.
According to the statement, the soldiers were reportedly hired by a contractor identified as Smart, who claimed to need assistance in retrieving cables left behind at the refinery. However, upon arrival, Smart allegedly fled the scene, leaving the soldiers behind.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the stolen cables have been recovered and are under safe custody. The Army assured the public of its commitment to thorough investigations and stated that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against the culprits.