Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile General Area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects and recovering petroleum products and vehicles allegedly used in the illicit operation.

The operation was carried out on July 16 following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating in the area, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya.

The statement said the troops conducted a targeted raid on the suspected bunkering site, leading to the arrest of six individuals believed to be involved in the illegal refining and distribution of petroleum products.

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 to facilitate the illegal activity.

The suspects and the 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 possible prosecution.

Commending the troops for the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, praised their swift response and professionalism, describing the operation as a reflection of the Division’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and curbing economic sabotage within its area of responsibility.

Babalola urged the troops to sustain the tempo of ongoing operations and called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts against criminal activities.