ARMY DISMANTLES SUSPECTED ILLEGAL BUNKERING SITE IN LAGOS, ARRESTS SIX SUSPECTS
Troops of the 65 Battalion, Nigerian Army, have dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects and recovering equipment and petroleum products believed to be linked to illicit oil activities.
The operation, carried out on 16 July 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating within the area. Acting on the information, the troops conducted a targeted raid on the suspected illegal bunkering location, leading to the arrest of six individuals.
According to the military, 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 believed to have been used in facilitating the illicit operation.
Following the operation, the suspects and all recovered exhibits were formally handed over by the Commanding Officer of 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
From a security and economic crime perspective, illegal bunkering remains one of the most persistent threats to Nigeria's petroleum sector. Although the crime is more commonly associated with oil producing states in the Niger Delta, intelligence indicates that distribution, storage, transportation, and illegal trading networks often extend into major commercial centres such as Lagos.
Operations of this nature are aimed not only at dismantling illegal refining and storage facilities but also at disrupting the wider criminal supply chain that enables the movement and sale of stolen petroleum products. The recovery of a tanker and commercial vehicle suggests the existence of an organised logistics network designed to transport illicit products to buyers or intermediary storage locations.
The decision to transfer the suspects and recovered items to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps reflects the statutory responsibility of the Corps in protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, including petroleum facilities, and investigating offences relating to economic sabotage within the sector.
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, praised their professionalism, swift response, and operational effectiveness. He stated that the successful operation demonstrates the Division's commitment to protecting critical national assets and denying criminal groups the opportunity to operate within its area of responsibility.
The General Officer Commanding also encouraged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies through the provision of timely and credible intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains an essential component of efforts to combat economic sabotage and organised criminal activities.
