Troops dismantle illegal bunkering site in Lagos, arrest six

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

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 allegedly used for the illicit operation.

The operation, conducted on July 16, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating within the Orile General Area, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya.

Yahaya said the intelligence-led raid resulted in the arrest of six suspects believed to be involved in illegal bunkering activities.

Items recovered during the operation included four drums, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products, a white Ford bus and a tanker allegedly used to facilitate the illegal operation.

The statement disclosed that the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lt. Col. S. Adeojo, handed over the suspects and recovered exhibits to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Babalola, described the operation as a demonstration of the Division’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and combating economic sabotage.

“The successful operation 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.

He urged the troops to sustain the momentum against economic sabotage and other criminal activities, while appealing to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to support efforts at protecting critical national infrastructure.