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 suspected economic saboteurs and recovering equipment believed to have been used for illicit petroleum activities.
The operation, carried out on July 16, 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected illegal bunkerers operating in the area. Acting on the intelligence, the troops launched a targeted raid on the site, leading to the arrest of the six suspects.
Recovered during the operation were four drums, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products. The troops also seized a white Ford bus and a tanker allegedly used to facilitate the illegal bunkering operation.
The suspects and all 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 the 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, for further investigation and 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 feat underscores the Division’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and denying criminal elements the freedom to operate within its Area of Responsibility.
The GOC also urged troops to sustain the momentum in ongoing operations against economic sabotage and other criminal activities, while calling on members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to enhance national security.
