By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos
Troops of the Nigerian Army have dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile area of Lagos State, arresting six suspects and recovering suspected illegally refined petroleum products, a tanker and a bus allegedly used for the illicit operation.
The operation, carried out by troops of the 65 Battalion on July 16, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected economic saboteurs operating in the area.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the troops conducted a targeted raid on the site, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
According to the statement, four drums were recovered during the operation, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products. A white Ford bus and a tanker suspected to have been used in the bunkering operation were also recovered.
It added that the suspects and the recovered exhibits had been handed over by the Commanding Officer, 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The General Officer Commanding, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism, describing the operation as a reflection of the Division’s commitment to protecting critical national assets.
“The achievement reflects the Division’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding critical national assets and denying criminal elements the freedom to operate within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility,” Babalola said.
He urged the troops to sustain the momentum in ongoing operations and called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts to curb economic sabotage and other criminal activities.
