News
NSCDC uncovers illegal refinery in Rivers
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has uncovered an illegal bunkering operation in a forested area of Umuedeokwara Community, Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State.
The discovery was made by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad during an operation aimed at curbing oil theft in the region.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Corps spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, on Tuesday.
The CG’s SIS Commander, Deputy Commandant, Appolos Dandaura, revealed that the operation was based on intelligence reports indicating the presence of an illegal refinery at the site.
According to Dandaura, the criminals were tapping into multinational oil pipelines, using fabricated and galvanized metallic pipes connected with inserted valves to siphon crude oil.
The stolen oil was then stored in large tarpaulin reservoirs and locally refined into automotive gas oil.
“Like we always reiterate that our operations are intelligence-based and we value every piece of information and preserve the integrity of our informants; we swung into action, combed the entire forest, and discovered where the suspects were refining crude oil locally after storage in large trampoline reservoirs and further packaged them in cellophane bags and sacks.
“The following exhibits were marked at the crime scene: about 20,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil stored in cellophane bags, large quantities of siphoned crude oil stored in tarpaulin reservoirs, different sizes of aluminium and plastic buckets, galvanized metallic fabricated pipes, heavy-duty industrial hoses and items of clothing belonging to the suspects,” Dandaura was quoted saying.
At the scene, the NSCDC squad also found various equipment used in the illegal operation, including aluminium and plastic buckets, heavy-duty industrial hoses, and clothing items believed to belong to the fleeing suspects.
Dandaura noted that the operation aligns with the directive of the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, to clamp down on illegal bunkering activities and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a fresh set of appointments across critical institutions in Nigeria’s education sector, reinforcing leadership in examination bodies, technical education, and national library services.
The appointments were confirmed in an official statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday.
New and Renewed Appointments
Among those appointed is Modupe Adeola Adelabu, who will serve as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council.
Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi has been retained as Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, ensuring continuity in the management of the national examination body.
In the technical education space, Babatunde Salako has been appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education.
Meanwhile, Idris Bugaje has been reappointed as Executive Secretary of NBTE for a second and final five-year term.
Polytechnic and Library Leadership
The President also approved the appointment of Bongfa Binfa as Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam in Plateau State, where he will serve a five-year tenure.
Additionally, Chinwe Veronica Anunobi has had her tenure renewed as Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Library of Nigeria for a final five-year term.
Focus on Continuity and Stability
The mix of fresh appointments and renewals suggests a strategy aimed at maintaining stability while strengthening leadership across key education agencies.
Observers say such decisions are critical to sustaining reforms, improving institutional performance, and ensuring continuity in policy implementation within the sector.
The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment regarding an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reinstate its national convention, which was previously nullified by the Court of Appeal.
The convention in question took place on November 15 and 16, 2025, at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A five-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Lawal Garba, announced that a date for the final ruling would be communicated to all parties involved.
This decision followed the adoption of written briefs by legal representatives for and against the appeal.
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP is urging the apex court to set aside the lower court’s decision, which invalidated the Ibadan convention.
The faction maintains that the dispute is an “internal party affair, which is not justiciable,” and argues that all necessary legal procedures were followed during the event.
However, previous rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal favored aggrieved members, barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the convention’s outcomes and restricting access to the party’s national secretariat.
The legal trouble began in October 2025, when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court stopped the convention from proceeding.
The judge ruled that the party had failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the PDP’s own constitution, stating that the party must comply with “relevant statutory provisions including the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022).”
A second major blow came from Justice Peter Lifu, who ordered the party to halt the convention after a suit was filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Lamido alleged he was unfairly excluded from the chairmanship race. Justice Lifu noted:“The evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.”
On November 14, 2025—just one day before the event—Justice Lifu issued a final order restraining the party from moving forward, holding that the PDP had failed to “afford a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido the opportunity to prepare and contest as a chairmanship candidate.”
With the Supreme Court now set to have the final say, the PDP remains in a state of legal uncertainty as it awaits the verdict that will determine the legitimacy of its current national leadership.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has alerted members of the public to the
circulation of fraudulent messages, emails, and online communications purporting to originate from or be associated with the Apex Bank.
CBN in a statement issued and signed by Hakama Sidi-Ali (Mrs.) Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, noted that such communications and messages are intended to misinform members of the public.
“These fraudulent messages, which prompt recipients to click links, peddle false
information about the Bank’s leadership, licensing, and policy issues, are intended to hack personal accounts”.
The Bank cautioned that the official website of the Central Bank of Nigeria remains www.cbn.gov.ng. and warned Members of the public to strongly: Refrain from clicking links or sharing personal information on suspicious
websites, should Verify the authenticity of all CBN communications through the official website and recognised media outlets and: Report any suspected fraudulent site, email, or message to law enforcement authorities.
The CBN stated that it remained fully committed to safeguarding the Nigerian financial system and continues to strengthen its cybersecurity frameworks in collaboration with relevant agencies
to protect the public against digital fraud.
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