April 17, 2024
The military has voiced deep concerns over the reported involvement of two of its personnel in an alleged case of theft at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
In a statement, Director of Army Public Relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu condemned the incident, stating that it was “totally unacceptable and highly regrettable,” and emphasized that it did not reflect the ethics and values of the Nigerian Army.
According to Nwachukwu, the two suspects had been identified and in custody.
He said preliminary investigations suggested that the soldiers were hired by a civilian contractor, known as Mr. Smart, who claimed to need assistance in recovering Armoured cables left on the refinery’s premises.
However, upon approaching the security post, Smart reportedly absconded, leaving the soldiers behind.
Further investigations are underway to determine the extent of the soldiers’ involvement in the theft, he said.
Nwachukwu assured Nigerians the stolen cables had been recovered and securely held.
Nwachukwu said the Army was collaborating closely with Dangote Refinery management to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
He reiterated the NA’s commitment to holding its personnel accountable, affirming that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against the culprits.
He emphasised the importance of upholding discipline and integrity within the NA, stating that the institution would continue to promote a culture of accountability and ethical behavior among its ranks.
Nwachukwu reassured the public of Nigerian Army dedication to ensuring that key values such as discipline and integrity were ingrained in its personnel, and it remained steadfast in its mission to uphold these values.
