Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 65 Battalion have dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects and recovering petroleum products and vehicles believed to have been used in the illicit operation.
The operation, conducted on July 16, 2026, was carried out following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating within the area.
According to a statement issued on Saturday night by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Musa Yahaya, troops launched a targeted raid on the suspected bunkering site, leading to the arrest of six individuals believed to be involved in the illegal refining and distribution of petroleum products.
During the operation, the troops recovered four drums, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products.
They also seized a white Ford bus and a tanker suspected to have been used in facilitating the illegal bunkering activities.
The suspects, along with the recovered exhibits, were subsequently handed over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by the Commanding Officer of 65 Battalion, Lt. S. Adeojo, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commending the troops for the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, praised their professionalism, vigilance and swift response.
He said the operation underscored the Division’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and denying economic saboteurs and other criminal elements the freedom to operate within its area of responsibility.
The major Babalola also urged troops to sustain the tempo of ongoing operations while calling on members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to enhance efforts against criminal activities across Lagos State.