Dangote Refinery Reports 22 Cases of Sabotage, Denies Operational Crisis

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disclosed that it has recorded 22 attempted acts of sabotage since it commenced operations last year. The company, however, clarified that its recent internal restructuring, which affected about 800 employees, had no connection to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The reorganisation had sparked a brief strike action by PENGASSAN before it was suspended following the intervention of the Federal Government.

During a media tour of the facility, Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, said the attacks were aimed at disrupting production and damaging equipment but were successfully thwarted due to the refinery’s robust safety systems.

“We have faced multiple attacks. First, they said the refinery would never come up; then, they claimed it would not be commissioned or start production. Later, they spread false reports about gas supply issues. Now, they’re suggesting operational breakdowns. None of that is true,” Edwin stated.

He dismissed reports alleging operational or crude supply challenges, describing them as deliberate attempts to discredit the refinery’s success.

According to Edwin, the refinery currently holds over 312 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in its storage tanks and continues daily production.

With a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the refinery can meet Nigeria’s entire domestic demand for petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel while exporting about half of its output.

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, who also toured the facility, praised the refinery’s achievements, noting that over 650 ships have visited the plant to load petroleum products for export within its first year.

“That’s an incredible achievement,” Omokri said, adding that a nation’s currency strength depends on its production and export capacity. “What matters is not how much money we have, but the value of that money. The naira can only gain strength if we produce and export more.”

Similarly, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers’ Council, described the refinery as a “revolutionary investment” that must be sustained to strengthen Nigeria’s economy and industrial base.