Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have arrested six suspected oil bunkerers and recovered items linked to illegal bunkering during an operation in the Orile area of Lagos State.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by Musa Yahaya, the acting spokesperson for the operation, the raid was conducted on July 16 following credible intelligence about suspected economic saboteurs operating in the area.

“Acting swiftly on the information, the troops carried out a targeted raid on the suspected site and apprehended six individuals believed to be involved in the illegal bunkering operation,” he said.

Mr Yahaya said items recovered during the operation included four drums, two of which contained suspected illegally refined petroleum products.

He added that the troops also recovered a white Ford bus and a tanker suspected to have been used to support the illicit activity.

According to him, the suspects and the recovered items were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The general officer commanding (GOC) of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their swift response, professionalism and successful execution of the operation.

He said the operation reflected the division’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding critical national assets and denying criminals the freedom to operate within the 81 Division’s area of responsibility.