Troops Dismantle Suspected Illegal Bunkering Site, Arrest 6 In Lagos

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 65 Battalion have dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile General Area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects and recovering vehicles and petroleum products believed to be linked to the illicit operation.

The operation, carried out on July 16, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating within the area, according to the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Yahaya said the troops swiftly acted on the intelligence by launching a targeted raid on the suspected illegal bunkering site, leading to the arrest of six individuals allegedly involved in the operation.

He disclosed that the troops recovered four drums, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products.

Also recovered during the operation were a white Ford bus and a tanker believed to have been used to facilitate the illegal bunkering activities.

According to the statement, the suspects and all recovered exhibits were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, by the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, praised their professionalism, swift response and successful execution of the operation.

He said the successful raid underscored the Division’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and preventing criminal elements from operating within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.

“The achievement reflects the Division’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding critical national assets and denying criminal elements the freedom to operate within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility,” the GOC said.

Major General Babalola urged troops to sustain the tempo of ongoing operations against economic sabotage and other criminal activities, while also encouraging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to support efforts aimed at enhancing security and protecting national economic interests.