Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of 65 Battalion, Nigerian Army, have successfully dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile General Area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects and recovering items linked to the illicit trade in a targeted operation that dealt a significant blow to economic saboteurs operating in the state. The operation, conducted on July 16, 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating within the area. Acting 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.
Items 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. The suspects and recovered items were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Lagos State Command by the Commanding Officer of 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, for further investigation and necessary legal action. The handover to the NSCDC, which has the statutory mandate to investigate and prosecute cases of illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism, ensures that the suspects will face the full weight of the law.
The General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their swift response, professionalism and successful execution of the operation. He noted that 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. The GOC further urged troops to sustain the momentum in ongoing operations and encouraged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The operation in Orile is part of a broader military campaign against illegal bunkering and oil theft, which have continued to cost the Nigerian economy billions of naira in lost revenue. Illegal bunkering, which involves the tapping of pipelines and the theft of crude oil and refined products, has been a persistent challenge in Lagos and other coastal states, with criminal networks exploiting the region's extensive waterways and pipeline infrastructure to carry out their activities. The Nigerian military has intensified its efforts to combat the menace, conducting raids, patrols and surveillance operations to disrupt the activities of oil thieves and their collaborators.
The arrest of the six suspects and the recovery of the petroleum products and vehicles mark a significant victory for the military in its ongoing fight against economic sabotage. The operation also underscores the importance of intelligence-led operations in tackling the complex and organised criminal networks involved in illegal bunkering. The military has called on members of the public to continue providing information that could lead to the arrest of other suspects and the dismantling of more illegal bunkering sites.
The NSCDC has assured the public that it will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and ensure that the suspects are prosecuted in accordance with the law. The agency has also commended the military for its support and cooperation, describing the operation as a testament to the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in combating crime. The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations. The military has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting critical national assets and has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
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