Army dismantles illegal bunkering site, arrests six suspects in Lagos

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

The operation was carried out on July 16 following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating within the area.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya.

According to Yahaya, the troops launched a carefully coordinated raid on the suspected illegal bunkering site after acting on the intelligence, leading to the arrest of six individuals allegedly involved in the operation.

He said the soldiers recovered four drums during the raid, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products.

The operation also led to the seizure of a white Ford bus and a tanker, both believed to have been used in carrying out the illegal bunkering activities.

Yahaya stated that the suspects, along with all recovered exhibits, were subsequently 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.

Reacting to the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their professionalism, prompt response and effective execution of the intelligence-led mission.

He noted that the operation demonstrated the division’s determination to safeguard critical national assets and deny criminal elements the opportunity to engage in economic sabotage within its 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,” Babalola said.

The GOC urged military personnel to sustain ongoing operations against illegal bunkering and other forms of criminality, while encouraging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to strengthen efforts aimed at protecting the nation’s economic resources and improving security.