Army Busts Illegal Bunkering Ring in Lagos, Arrests Six Suspects

By Opeyemi Adelakun

Troops of the Nigerian Army have dismantled a suspected illegal oil bunkering operation in the Orile General Area of Lagos State, arresting six suspected oil bunkerers and recovering equipment believed to have been used for the illicit activity.

The operation, carried out by troops of the 65 Battalion under the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, followed credible intelligence on illegal petroleum-related activities within the area. The raid was led by the Commanding Officer of the battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo.

Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Musa Yahaya, said the intelligence-driven operation led to the recovery of four trucks, a pumping machine, as well as assorted pipes and drums allegedly used for siphoning and transporting petroleum products.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the troops raided the site and arrested six suspected oil bunkerers. The operation also led to the recovery of four trucks, one pumping machine, and assorted pipes and drums allegedly used for illegal bunkering activities,” Yahaya said.

He disclosed that the suspects, alongside the recovered exhibits, had been handed over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Commending the troops for the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, charged personnel to sustain the ongoing offensive against economic sabotage and other criminal activities within the division’s area of responsibility.

He said, “I commend the troops for this successful operation and urge them to sustain the offensive against economic sabotage and other criminal activities within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.”

The Army noted that the operation forms part of its sustained efforts to curb illegal oil bunkering, protect critical national assets and strengthen internal security across the country. It added that security operations against economic saboteurs would continue as part of ongoing measures to safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and deter criminal networks operating in the sector.