Dangote Sounds Alarm Over Oil Mafia, Exposes Theft of $82 Million Worth of Items at Refinery
- Nigerian industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has alleged that powerful cartels undermining local refining are more influential than drug mafias
- He said the Dangote Refinery has suffered about $82 million in losses from theft and vandalism, forcing it to engage in heavy security spending
- The billionaire businessman also accused regulators, local marketers and international traders of working together to frustrate local refining
Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering energy, MSMEs, technology, banking and the economy.
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has once again raised an alarm about mafia operating in the oil and gas industry and the deep-rooted sabotage within the sector.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, Dangote described the scale of destruction targeted at local refining efforts as extensive and highly organised.
Source: UGC
According to him, the groups working against domestic refining capacity are numerous and deeply embedded within the system, making them more dangerous than conventional drug cartels.
He said:
"That's why I tell you that drugs mafia are actually smaller than those in the oil and gas industry because, in the drugs, you know yourselves, but in the oil sector, there roped so many people in."
He revealed that the refinery has suffered heavy financial losses as a result of theft and vandalism, adding that extraordinary security measures have been put in place to safeguard the facility.
$82 million worth of refinery items stolen
Dangote disclosed that stolen components from the refinery alone were valued at about $82 million, explaining that the apparent goal of the perpetrators was to force the company into filing large insurance claims, which would in turn drive up insurance premiums.
He said:
“In this refinery, we have $82 million of stolen items, and what they were actually trying to do is to make sure that we go and put a massive claim on insurance."
Dangote also challenged operators of modular refineries across the country to speak openly about similar experiences, arguing that theft and sabotage are widespread.
He noted that the refinery now employs more security personnel than operational staff due to persistent threats.
Dangote raises alarm over sabotage in oil sector
Beyond his own refinery, Dangote alleged that Nigeria’s broader petroleum infrastructure has been deliberately destroyed over time.
He pointed to the collapse of the country’s pipeline network and the abandonment of 22 depots that were originally designed to transport products through pipelines rather than trucks.
Dangote also criticised what he described as regulatory lapses and alleged corruption within the downstream sector.
He called for an investigation into claims involving the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, particularly over allegations relating to the funding of his children’s education abroad.
Source: Getty Images
The businessman noted that these concerns were not new. In June 2024, he had warned that both local and international interests were working actively to undermine his refinery project.
He maintained that some international traders and local fuel marketers benefit more from importing petroleum products and therefore oppose the success of local refining.
Reiterating his position in September 2025, Dangote again cautioned that coordinated efforts by foreign traders and domestic marketers continue to threaten refinery operations, warning that such alliances are aimed at stifling Nigeria’s refining ambitions.
Dangote announces new fuel pump price
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Dangote Refinery has released a new pump price regime for its partner filling stations ahead of the Christmas period.
The adjustment follows an earlier reduction in the gantry price of petrol to N699 per litre for bulk buyers and petroleum marketers.
Dangote hinted that steps will be taken to ensure the new pricing is applied uniformly across the country.
Source: Legit.ng
