Troops of the 65 Battalion recover four trucks and equipment allegedly linked to illegal bunkering during an intelligence-led raid in Orile

No fewer than six suspected oil bunkerers have been arrested by troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army during an intelligence-led operation in the Orile General Area of Lagos State, with four trucks and other equipment allegedly linked to illegal bunkering recovered.

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The operation was carried out under the leadership of the battalion’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, as part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army to tackle economic sabotage and protect critical national assets.

The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Musa Yahaya, disclosed the development in a statement posted on X on Wednesday.

According to Yahaya, the troops acted on credible intelligence before raiding the suspected illegal bunkering site, where they apprehended the six suspects.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the troops raided the site and arrested six suspected oil bunkerers,” the statement said.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of four trucks, one pumping machine and assorted pipes and drums allegedly used in illegal oil bunkering activities.

The recovered items and the suspects have since been handed over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and necessary action.

The latest arrests highlight the continued security challenges surrounding illegal oil activities in parts of the country, where criminal networks often target petroleum infrastructure and crude oil resources for illicit profit.

Illegal bunkering has remained a persistent concern for Nigeria, with security agencies regularly conducting operations aimed at disrupting activities that can cause environmental damage, deprive the government of revenue and undermine legitimate oil production.

Commending the troops for the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, urged personnel to maintain the momentum against economic sabotage and other criminal activities within the division’s area of responsibility.

Babalola charged the troops “to sustain the offensive against economic sabotage and other criminal activities within the 81 Division Area of responsibility.”

The Army said the operation formed part of its broader efforts to combat illegal oil bunkering, secure critical national assets and strengthen public safety across its area of responsibility.

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The handover of the suspects and recovered materials to the NSCDC is expected to pave the way for further investigation into the alleged activities and the identities of other individuals who may be connected to the operation.