Troops of the 65 Battalion have dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects and recovering vehicles and petroleum products believed to be connected to the illicit operation.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, confirmed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday.
Lt. Col. Yahaya said the operation was carried out on 16 July 2026 following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating in the area. Acting on the intelligence, the troops launched a targeted raid on the location, leading to the arrest of the six suspects.
According to him, during the operation, the troops recovered four drums, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products. A white Ford bus and a tanker, believed to have been used to facilitate the illegal bunkering activities, were also seized.
He said the suspects and all recovered exhibits were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The handover was conducted by the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo.
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, described the operation as another demonstration of the Division’s resolve to protect critical national assets and deny criminal networks the freedom to operate within its area of responsibility.
He urged troops to sustain the tempo of ongoing operations against economic sabotage and other criminal activities while encouraging residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.
Lt. Col. Yahaya said the operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s continued commitment to combating illegal bunkering and safeguarding the nation’s economic resources.
