Metro
Army uncovers 20 illegal refineries, arrests 11 operators in four states
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The Nigerian Army has uncovered 20 illegal refining sites and apprehended 11 suspected operators of the facilities during ongoing raids in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States.
Danjuma Danjuma, the Nigerian Army 6 Division spokesperson in Port Harcourt, announced Monday that troops had also dismantled the illegal refineries.
He said that soldiers also confiscated 31 boats, seven vehicles, and 190,000 litres of petroleum products and arrested 11 suspected oil thieves between 30 December 2024 and 5 January.
“At Oando Wellhead in Benkrukru, within the Okordia general area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, troops discovered four oil sewage tanks containing over 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
“We also recovered 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil packed in sacks, along with a suction machine.”
Mr Danjuma, a lieutenant colonel, said that troops subsequently advanced to the Amalaghakiri community in the Nembe area of Bayelsa, where two additional illegal refining sites were destroyed, and 15,000 litres of unidentified petroleum products were seized.
He said soldiers dismantled an illegal artisanal refinery and confiscated 1,500 litres of stolen products in Oyeregbene, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
“In Omoku, Rivers, troops interrupted oil thieves siphoning petroleum products. The suspects fled before we arrived.
“At the scene, we discovered an illegal connection point on the Oando Pipeline in Ebocha and seized four boats carrying over 22,000 litres of stolen products.
“In the Obiafu oil field and Mbgede in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, troops dismantled four illegal refineries and confiscated five wooden boats, 108 locally made ovens, and 38,000 litres of petroleum products,” he added.
The army spokesperson stated that further operations in the Ozaa West, Obuzor, and Okoloma communities dismantled two illegal refineries.
“Other seized items included 32 drum pots, 21 drum receivers, two pumping machines, and 13,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.”
He added that soldiers on routine patrol along the Pan Ocean Nigeria Ltd pipeline in Ivada, Ethiope West, Delta State, intercepted vehicles engaged in illegal activities.
“Two J5 Boxer vehicles were found transporting 15 cellophane bags containing 7,500 litres of stolen products.
“Additionally, 2,500 litres of crude oil were seized at Ikengbensi waterways in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta.
“Eight drums, holding approximately 2,240 litres of petrol, were intercepted at Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, awaiting smuggling to a neighbouring country,” Mr Danjuma said.
He said that the suspects would be charged in court.
“The General Officer Commanding the division, Major-General Jamal Abdussalam, has urged troops to intensify their efforts to eradicate all illegal refining sites across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States in 2025.”
(NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday opened its case against former Chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, by presenting its first prosecution witness in the alleged N15.6 billion fraud trial before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja.
High Court, Apo, Abuja, in the trial of the former Chairman, Board of Directors, defunct Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank Limited), Tunde Ayeni.
EFCC is prosecuting Ayeni on an 18-count amended charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of funds totaling N15.6 billion.
The defendant was first arraigned on May 4, 2026, on a 17-count charge and was subsequently re-arraigned on June 22, 2026, after the Commission filed an amended charge supported by additional proof of evidence.
At Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed SAN, presented PW1, who briefly identified himself as Remigus Ugwu, a staff member of Zenith Bank.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till July 16, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
At least 202 suspects have been arrested during an intelligence-led raid on identified criminal hideouts across Asaba metropolis in Delta State.
The suspects, comprising 102 males and 100 females, were arrested for offences bordering on operating brothels, possession and sale of suspected illicit drugs, and other related crimes.
During the operation, police also impounded five vehicles, 10 tricycles and 10 motorcycles for violating traffic regulations, the state government’s restriction on tricycle operations and the ban on motorcycles in designated areas.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the operation was carried out on Saturday, July 4, 2026, under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, alongside other officers of the command.
Edafe said the operation followed credible intelligence generated by the State Intelligence Department (SID), leading operatives to raid identified black spots, brothels and suspected illicit drug dens within the state capital.
Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained enforcement operations against all forms of criminality.
He assured residents that the command would continue to deny criminal elements the space to operate while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible and timely information.
Passengers aboard a commercial bus narrowly escaped death after the driver reportedly suffered a seizure while driving along the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, triggering a frightening mid-transit emergency.
The incident, captured in a video that surfaced on Facebook on Sunday, occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Witnesses said the driver suddenly lost control after suffering the medical episode, causing the bus to veer dangerously before a passenger seated beside him swiftly grabbed the steering wheel and applied the brakes.
The passenger’s quick intervention brought the vehicle to a halt, averting what could have ended in a fatal crash.
Recounting the terrifying ordeal in the viral video, one of the passengers expressed gratitude for surviving the incident.
“See me, see Third Mainland Bridge. Thank God, it’d have been RIP for my enemy. In the course of looking for what’s to eat, may we not encounter what will eat us. I never heard of a driver having a seizure while driving,” she said.
The incident has since sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians commending the passenger for the swift action that reportedly saved the lives of everyone on board.
Others called for compulsory and regular medical examinations for commercial drivers, stressing that sudden health emergencies while driving pose serious risks to passengers and other road users.
EFCC Opens N15.6 Billion Fraud Case Against Ex-Skye Bank Chairman, Ayeni
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