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Army destroys 15 illegal refineries, arrests 10 suspects

Published

2 weeks ago

October 7, 2024

The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has reported that its troops have destroyed no fewer than 15 illegal crude oil refining sites and arrested 10 suspects across various locations in the Niger Delta region.

The Army stated that the sites destroyed were located in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.

Additionally, the Army disclosed that about 115,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered during the operation carried out by troops of the 6 Division.

The acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Danjuma said the achievement was a result of the Army’s resolute stance in its ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations and expressed satisfaction with the tremendous successes recorded across the operational landscape.

He said, “In the latest push, troops have effectively deactivated over 15 illegal refining sites, arrested 10 suspects, dismantled over 30 cooking pots, intercepted eleven vehicles, several boats, and confiscated over 115,000 litres of stolen products in various operations conducted in the region.”

The 6 Division spokesman noted that the operations also resulted in the recovery of several other items used for economic sabotage in the joint operational area.

“In Rivers State, following a tip-off on oil theft around SIAT Farm, Elele in the Ikwerre Local Government Area, troops mobilised to the scene and intercepted a truck with registration number GDD 831 ZN Anambra, loaded with about 40,000 litres of stolen crude.

“Similarly, at Sankri in Okrika LGA, the operations led to the deactivation of three illegal refining sites and the destruction of two wooden boats, with over 26,500 litres of stolen products recovered.

“This success was also recorded at Dapama in Bille general area, Degema LGA, where four illegal refining sites were taken down, and two wooden boats stocked with over 10,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 6,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.

“At the stretch of the Imo Riverside, troops identified and destroyed several illegal refining sites and makeshift structures in camps, including one big pot and over 30 cooking drum pots. They also destroyed four wooden boats, one fibre boat, and over 15,000 litres of stolen crude around Okoloma, Obuzor, and Ukwa Creeks, in accordance with the existing mandate.

“Additionally, at Freedom Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered a pipeline vandalism site where three gas cylinders were recovered. Further exploitation of the area led to the arrest of one suspect.

“At Ebocha, OB II, and Obiafu Ndoni, four suspects were arrested with over 4,000 litres of stolen condensates in a Toyota Camry with registration number ZKW 648 AA Kaduna, and a tricycle at Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA. Meanwhile, at Omoku, five inactive illegal refining sites with several empty metal drums were destroyed, and two suspects were arrested at Orashi River with significant quantities of stolen condensates.

“The reinvigorated clampdown also yielded results in Bayelsa State. This was evident around Sabasuo general area in Nembe LGA, where active illegal refining sites were deactivated, and over 2,800 litres of stolen products were recovered.”

Furthermore, he said at Amalakiri in Southern Ijaw, one active illegal refining site was dismantled, with over 2,500 litres of stolen products recovered.

“Troops also intercepted a wooden boat laden with over 1,800 litres of stolen AGO in sacks around Idewa/Waribokiri general area in Ogbia LGA.

“In Delta State, a trailer with registration number JJN 167 ZU Plateau was intercepted siphoning crude from a Nigerian Petroleum Development Company oil pipeline at Ozoro in Isioko North LGA.

“Two persons have been arrested in connection to the crime. Several other vehicles loaded with stolen products were intercepted at Obi Anyima Community in Ika South LGA and Ugo Community in Orhiomwon, Edo State, during follow-up operations.

“The situation in Akwa Ibom State also recorded some measure of success, as troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted three drums of Premium Motor Spirit at the fringes of Oron waterways.”

“The products were suspected to have been prepared for smuggling to a neighboring country. Troops have continued to maintain vigilance in the ongoing anti-bunkering operations in the state to deny economic saboteurs and their collaborators the freedom of action.”

News

Just in :INEC announces date for Anambra governorship election

Published

2 mins ago

October 17, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the date for the Anambra governorship election.

Addressing representatives of political parties at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, October 17, INEC national chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu said the election will be held on Saturday 8th November 2025.

Hear him: “As you are aware, the last governorship election in Anambra State was held on 6th November 2021. By the effluxion of time, the governorship election is due next year.

In compliance with the mandatory requirement of 360 days, the formal notice for the election will be published on 13th November 2024. Party primaries will be held from 20th March 2025 to 10th April 2025.

“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.

“Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th June 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 6th November 2025. Voting will take place in all the 5,720 Polling Units across the State on Saturday 8th November 2025.

“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.

The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.

“In the coming weeks, the Commission will provide details of other electoral activities, including the registration of new voters, transfer of voters and the replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.

“The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms before the end of this meeting.”

News

Despite heavy hunger, World Bank Tells Nigerians Not To Oppose, Reverse Tinubu’s Economic Reforms

Published

1 hour ago

October 17, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Despite hunger, World Bank has urged Nigerians to support the ongoing economic reforms, warning that opposing or reversing them could have serious negative consequences for the country.

Speaking at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) report in Abuja, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, emphasized that while the reforms may be challenging, they are crucial for the nation’s long-term stability.

Dr. Diop cautioned that rolling back these reforms would be detrimental, saying, “Reversing the reforms would spell doom for Nigeria.”

In the same vein, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, reiterated the importance of staying committed to the reforms. He stated, “Any effort that is not sustained will be a waste. Together with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, we’ve been discussing how to stay on course.”

Edun further explained that the government’s focus is on reducing inflation while ensuring investments flow into critical sectors such as industry, where jobs can be created. “We are prioritizing market pricing and sat down with labor unions to explain why we cannot afford to let this opportunity slip.”

On the removal of subsidies, Edun noted, “Every day without subsidies means more funds available for education, healthcare, and other essential expenditures.”

Also speaking, Central Bank Governor Mr. Olayemi Cardoso highlighted the importance of promoting exports in light of the exchange rate adjustments. “The moderation in the FX rate should make our goods more competitive for export and discourage the importation of unnecessary goods,” he said

News

Delta Police PRO Warns POS Operators, says transactions above N500k can put you in trouble

Published

1 hour ago

October 17, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, has warned Point of Sale (POS) operators to desist from receiving large sums of money on behalf of anyone as they run the risk of being held as accomplices to kidnappers.

The PPRO gave the warning in a post on Thursday, October 17, 2024, when he paraded a female POS operator who allegedly received N4m ransom for kidnappers.

“My message to POS operators, transactions above 500k can get you into trouble. Don’t be a tool for kidnappers to collect ransom. It must be traced to you. She received #4,000,000 ransom from kidnappers and her profit was just #40,000. Can you imagine? Be wise, you may argue that you are doing business, but before your lawyer will get you out, you may spend some time cooling off in prison,” he wrote.