Metro
We will destroy vessels caught stealing crude oil – Nigerian Army warns
The Nigerian Army has vowed to destroy an arrested vessel, Harbor Spirit, suspected of crude oil theft in line with laid down rules of engagement.
The Army added that all arrested crew members on board the vessel would be evacuated to Abuja for investigation by the Defense Intelligence.
Commander of the Nigerian Army, 63 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Ugochukwu Vitus Unachukwu said this when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Crude Oil theft visited and inspected two arrested vessels, MT Kali and Harbor Spirit allegedly with stolen crude.
Brig. Gen. Unachukwu said the federal government has resolved to stamp out oil theft, saying, “We will pursue it to a logical conclusion.”
He warned oil thieves to desist from the heinous crimes saying the nation needs the revenue coming from the sector.
He warned that anyone caught stealing a gallon of crude oil would be regarded as a “national Saboteur”
Brig. Gen. Unachukwu said the vessel and all crew members on board were arrested by Operatives of TANTITA Security Services in collaboration with the Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Crude oil theft urged the arrested crew members on board the Harbor Spirit, to cooperate with the relevant security agencies to prove their innocence.
Chairman of the Committee, Alhassan Ado Doguwa who led others on the visit to inspect the two vessels, said issues of oil theft, vandalisation of pipelines and other crises in the oil producing states poses serious concern to the National Assembly particularly and the House of Representatives Committee on Oil and Gas, particularly.
He said, “We represent all of you but there’s nothing we can do. You have to cooperate with security to prove your innocence.”
In a chat with newsmen, oil-producingDoguwa said members of the House of Representatives Committee on Crude Oil Theft embarked on the visit to the two vessels to have first-hand information of the happenings in the shores of the Oil and Gas industry in the Niger Delta region.
“So, we came to see for ourselves on behalf of the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives and Relevant Committee Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee, I want to tell you that we are all out to see the increased production of oil and gas in the Country.”
The lawmaker said the Committee on Crude Oil Theft will continue to do its best in terms of partnership and collaboration with TANTITA security and the Nigerian Security Agencies and others to see how they can promote the protection of the nation’s assets around the Country.
Troops of 22 Brigade under Operation Savannah Shield have repelled suspected terrorists, arrested two suspects, and recovered motorcycles during an offensive operation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 11:09 a.m. on April 14 by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babanna, in collaboration with Combat Support Infantry Battalion XVI and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
According to the sources, the troops carried out coordinated clearance operations across Dekara, Dongoru, Bakimba, Jigga, Gidan Kambarawa and Masaka villages.
During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists along the Masaka–Dekara road, forcing them to flee and abandon their motorcycles.
The sources added that the troops subsequently encountered an ambush but successfully fought through the attack, recovering additional motorcycles.
“In total, nine motorcycles were recovered during the operation, while two suspects were apprehended,” the sources said.
They noted that two tyres of a Combat Support Vehicle (CSK APC) were damaged during the encounter.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation, while operations are ongoing to track fleeing members of the group.
Troops conducting ongoing clearance operations under Operation Wutan Daji have rescued 12 kidnapped victims and arrested key associates of a fleeing bandit leader during coordinated offensives across forested areas linking Plateau and Taraba States.
A military source said the operations, carried out on April 15 and 16, involved troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with an Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) tactical team.
According to the source, the operations were conducted in the Dajin Madam and Kumbodoro forest axis, spanning parts of Plateau and Taraba States.
The source said the sustained offensive led to the recovery of 12 kidnapped victims who escaped from their captors during the pressure mounted by troops.
The victims were subsequently taken into custody for profiling before being moved to an Internally Displaced Persons facility in Fukuk.
Troops also recovered a Dane gun, a fabricated AK-47 rifle and a power bank during the operation.
The Bauchi State Government has dismissed a driver, Aminu Abdullahi, over a fatal road crash that claimed the lives of two journalists and left 11 others injured.
The crash involving a vehicle conveying 13 journalists occurred on February 6, 2026.
A cameraman with Channels Television, Kani Ben, d!ed from spinal cord injuries he sustained in the crash.
The dismissal was carried out by the Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (CSC) during its recent sitting.
The Commission disclosed that Abdullahi, a clerical assistant in the state civil service, was sacked for misconduct.
The CSC explained that the disciplinary action formed part of decisions taken during its 13th plenary session held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at its conference hall.
It added that Abdullahi’s termination was due to negligence while carrying out an assigned duty of driving.
According to the Commission, the misconduct contravened Rules 0312 and 0327 of the Bauchi State Public Service Regulations.
The CSC further stated that Abdullahi, a Grade Level 03 clerical assistant with the State Ministry of Higher Education, had been assigned “any other duty” and directed to drive a team of journalists covering activities of the North East Development Commission during the commissioning of projects in Alkaleri Local Government Area.“
“Aminu, who was accused of reckless driving, caused an accident involving more than 10 journalists. As a result, two persons lost their lives, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the statement said.
The Commission noted that the action followed recommendations from the Ministry of Higher Education and resolutions of the State Executive Council on the disciplinary case.
Meanwhile, the CSC queried the management of the Ministry of Higher Education to explain why a clerical assistant was assigned the duties of a driver.
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