Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of the Nigerian Army's 65 Battalion have dismantled a suspected illegal oil bunkering site in the Orile General Area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects and recovering vehicles and equipment believed to have been used in the illicit operation. The raid, conducted under the leadership of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating within the area.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the troops launched a carefully coordinated raid on the suspected illegal bunkering site after acting on the intelligence. The operation led to the arrest of six individuals allegedly involved in the illegal bunkering activities. During the raid, the soldiers recovered four trucks, one pumping machine, and assorted pipes and drums believed to have been used for the illegal bunkering operations. The troops also seized a white Ford bus and a tanker, both believed to have been used in transporting the illicit petroleum products.
The operation was carried out on July 16, 2026, following intelligence on the activities of suspected oil thieves in the area. 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 Abdulrahman 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 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.
The Nigerian Army said the operation is part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal oil bunkering, protect critical national assets, and strengthen security across its area of responsibility. Illegal oil bunkering has long been a major challenge in Nigeria, costing the country billions of dollars in lost revenue and contributing to environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and other oil-producing regions. The operation in Lagos underscores the military's commitment to curbing economic sabotage and disrupting the networks that sustain illicit petroleum trade. As the suspects face further investigation by the NSCDC, the Army has made it clear that it will sustain the offensive against economic sabotage and other criminal activities within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.
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