Troops Dismantle Illegal Bunkering Site in Lagos, Arrest Six Suspects
Nigerian Army troops attached to the 65 Battalion have dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile General Area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects during a targeted operation.
The successful raid also led to the recovery of several items believed to have been used in the illegal petroleum operation, reinforcing ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat oil theft and economic sabotage across the country.
Intelligence-Led Operation Leads to Multiple Arrests
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the operation was carried out on July 16, 2026, after troops received credible intelligence about the activities of suspected economic saboteurs in the area.
Acting on the information, soldiers launched a coordinated raid on the location and arrested six individuals allegedly connected to the illegal bunkering operation.
The Army described the mission as intelligence-driven, highlighting the importance of timely information in disrupting criminal activities involving petroleum products.
Recovered Items at the Illegal Bunkering Site
During the operation, troops recovered several items suspected to have been used for the illegal refining and transportation of petroleum products.
| Recovered Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Drums | Four drums recovered |
| Petroleum Products | Two drums contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products |
| Ford Bus | One white Ford bus |
| Tanker | One tanker suspected to have supported the illegal operation |
The recovered equipment is expected to assist investigators in determining the full scale of the suspected bunkering network.
Suspects Handed Over to NSCDC for Investigation
Following the operation, the six arrested suspects and all recovered exhibits were officially handed over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The handover was conducted by the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, to enable further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.
The NSCDC is expected to continue investigations to identify any additional individuals or groups linked to the alleged illegal bunkering activities.
Army Commends Troops for Successful Operation
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, praised the troops for their professionalism, swift response and successful execution of the operation.
He said the achievement demonstrates the Nigerian Army’s continued commitment to protecting critical national assets and preventing criminal groups from operating within the 81 Division’s Area of Responsibility.
Major General Babalola also encouraged troops to maintain the momentum in ongoing security operations while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely intelligence.
The latest operation adds to the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to curb illegal bunkering, protect the nation’s petroleum resources and strengthen security across Lagos State and other affected regions.
