Ayomide Awe
Troops of the Nigerian Army have dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects and recovering suspected illegally refined petroleum products as well as vehicles allegedly used for the illicit operation.
The operation, carried out by troops of the 65 Battalion of the 81 Division on July 16, followed what the Army described as credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating in the area.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to him, the troops conducted a targeted raid on the location after receiving actionable intelligence, leading to the arrest of six persons suspected to be involved in illegal petroleum bunkering.
Yahaya said the soldiers recovered four drums, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products.
He added that a white Ford bus and a tanker believed to have been used in facilitating the illegal operation were also seized during the raid.
The statement read in part, âThe operation, conducted on July 16, 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating within the area.
âActing swiftly on the information, the troops carried out a targeted raid on the suspected site and apprehended six individuals believed to be involved in the illegal bunkering operation.
âItems recovered during the operation included four drums, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products. Troops also recovered a white Ford bus and a tanker suspected to have been used in support of the illicit activity.â
The Army said the suspects and the recovered exhibits had been handed over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and possible prosecution.
According to the statement, the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lt. Col. S. Adeojo, formally transferred the suspects and exhibits to the NSCDC.
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Babalola, described the successful operation as a reflection of the militaryâs commitment to protecting critical national assets and curbing economic sabotage.
âThe achievement reflects the Divisionâs unwavering commitment to safeguarding critical national assets and denying criminal elements the freedom to operate within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility,â Babalola said.
He urged troops to sustain the ongoing crackdown on economic sabotage while calling on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies.
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