The Abia State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, said it has discovered an illegal refinery being operated inside a bush in Isiala Ihie community of Ugwunagbo LGA of Abia State.

The command also arrested two suspects in the area and discovered large quantities of petroleum products suspected to have been tapped from a nearby vandalised petroleum pipeline.

The arrest was made by the Crack Squad when it uncovered an illegal refinery cleverly hidden in the forest of Isiala Ihie community, according to a press statement by Doreen Udugwu, the Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Command of NSCDC.

According to the statement, during the sting operation, large quantities of petroleum products at various stages of processing were seized by the crack squad.

While addressing journalists on Wednesday in his office, the commandant of NSCDC in Abia State, Akinsola Aderemi, disclosed that further investigations would be carried out to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the dastardly act.

He noted that the busting of the illegal refinery and arrest of the suspects were in line with the directive of the Commandant General of NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to fight against illegal bunkering.

Akinsola said the Abia State Command will spare no effort in ensuring that the state remains safe and secure for all law-abiding citizens.

He further called upon the public to collaborate with NSCDC by providing credible intelligence that would aid the arrest of criminal-minded persons.

The military in a statement on Wednesday said that the attackers attempted to breach the camp using a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) from the Gudumbali axis.

The Nigerian Army has stated that an unconfirmed number of terrorists, mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles, launched an attack on troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in Kukawa Town, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing three soldiers.

The military in a statement on Wednesday said that the attackers attempted to breach the camp using a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) from the Gudumbali axis.

But the troops, in a coordinated response, engaged the terrorists in a gun battle in the early hours of Monday, bolstered by support from the Air Component and the Nigerian Army’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command.

The statement noted, “This resolute defense forced the terrorists into a disorganised retreat, leaving behind heavy casualties.

During the confrontation, 12 terrorists were neutralised, while many others fled with gunshot wounds.

“The troops recovered five AK-47 rifles; one RPG bomb; one RPG tube; two Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns; one QJC gun; one NSV heavy machine gun; 40 motorcycles; 152 rounds of Shilka ammunition, among other items from the terrorists.

“Additionally, four out of seven VBIEDs deployed by the terrorists were destroyed.

“Regrettably, three brave soldiers paid the ultimate price during the attack. Efforts to clear and exploit the area are ongoing, with house-to-house searches being conducted to ensure the area iss secure.”

The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen O. O. Oluyede, who commended the troops for their courage, urged them to sustain their momentum with ongoing clearance operations and fighting patrols.

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed a gunmen attack and abdvction of three persons at the motorcycle showroom of the popular Nigerian vehicle producer, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who made this known in a statement issued in Awka, the state capital, said that the incident occurred at the company’s showroom located along Owerri Road, Nnewi at 6:45 pm on Tuesday.

Ikenga said that the police had launched a joint security forces off€*$!ve operation for possible rescue of the abductees and arrest of the abductors.

He said, “The Police Command is determined and is already working with information obtained from the scene for the ongoing rescue operations.

“The Command also urges residents or anyone with useful information that will aid the investigation to come forward to the Command headquarters, Awka, or the nearest police station.”