News
NAF carry out airstrike in Rivers

*Destroys illegal refining sites, berges
By Francesca Hangeior
The Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has destroyed several illegal refining sites and barges used for illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.
Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, said the air strikes are in continuation of offensive against illegal oil refining sites and barges ladened with stolen crude oil products in the Niger Delta Region.
He said, “The sites and barges destroyed were “discovered between 25 and 26 March 2024 at Bille, Dariama, Elem Bekinkiri, Temakiri, Opumakiri, and Degema in Rivers State.
“At Bille, a barge filled with illegal refined products was observed meandering through the creeks and subsequently struck.
“At Dariama and Tumakiri, active illegal refining sites with reservoirs and cooking pots were identified to be active and subsequently engaged and destroyed.
“Illegal oil refining sites at Elem Bekinkiri and Opumakiri were, however, observed to consist of abandoned IRS.
“At Degema, several active illegal refining sites with reservoirs filled with illegally refined products were observed and engaged accordingly, setting them ablaze.
“It is pertinent to note that some of the illegal refining sites at Bille and Dariama have been destroyed in the past but have been reactivated.
“Accordingly, the NAF and other security agencies will continue to intensify efforts at discovering and disrupting the activities of the oil thieves operating in the region and beyond.”
News
NDLEA nabs 112 suspects, seizes 55.947kg of illicit drugs

The Ebonyi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said that the Command has arrested 112 suspects on drugs-related offences and seized 55.947 kilogrammes of various illicit drugs in the first quarter of the year.
This is contained in a statement signed by the State Commander, Mr Peter Ogar, who noted that the command arrested 112 suspects, comprising 85 males and 27 females within the age range of 16 to 76 years.
He added that the figure represents both drug dealers, drug users, and traffickers explaining that the arrests and seizures were made in different locations in the state between January and March this year.
Ogar further stated that during the period under review, four persons were convicted revealing that the Command within the period counselled 59 suspects, comprising 45 males and 14 females within the age bracket of 21 to 76.
He said the command arrested one suspect with a locally fabricated pistol.
The commander reiterated the command’s commitment to the fight against drug abuse and called for more stakeholders’ support to curtail the unlawful act.
He said they had organised a series of workshops and sensitisation campaigns against drug abuses across Ebonyi 13 local government, especially for the youths and secondary school students.
According to the state commander, the drugs seized include monkey tail, 11.2 litres/11.2kg, methamphetamine, 0.054kg, bromazepam, 46 tablets, 0.020kg, pentazocine in 84 amps 0.244kg, heroin, 0.014.
Others were Cannabis Sativa, 43.582kg, Tramadol tablets, 0.004kg, tramadol 100mg (1189 capsules), 0.400kg, diazepam 988 tablets, 0.207 and other psychotropic substances grossly weighing 55.947 kgs in all.
News
PAINFUL! Six Persons Perish In Helicopter Crash

No fewer than six people have been confirmed dead after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River off Manhattan, the United States, on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
The crash occurred around 3:17 p.m., when the New York City Fire Department received reports of a helicopter in the water.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and launched rescue operations.
Videos from the incident reportedly showed the aircraft upside down and partially submerged, with multiple rescue boats circling the wreckage.
The crash site was near the Manhattan waterfront, close to the end of a maintenance pier used by one of the ventilation towers for the Holland Tunnel.
Emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances, lined the nearby streets with lights flashing as first responders worked to secure the area.
Helicopter traffic is common over Manhattan, with several helipads serving business executives, tourists, and other travelers.
Thursday’s tragedy adds to a string of previous aviation accidents in the city, including a 2009 midair collision over the Hudson River that killed nine people, and a 2018 East River crash that claimed five lives during an “open door” photography flight.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, and investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.
News
Suit Seeking To Sack Ibas As Administrator Suffers Heavy Setback

A lawsuit aiming to remove Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State faced a setback on Thursday when the court proceedings were delayed.
The case, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, was postponed after the plaintiff’s representative, Chimezie Enuka, informed the court that some defendants had not been served with the necessary legal notice.
These defendants included officials from Zamfara and Bauchi states, who had not received their hearing notices in time.
During the hearing, the only attorneys present were those representing Lagos, Bayelsa, Taraba, and Edo states, as the other 32 state attorneys general listed as defendants were absent.
Enuka assured the court that all defendants would be served by April 13, leading to the court’s decision to adjourn the case until June 11.
In the lawsuit, which is registered under the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, Jideobi has named President Bola Tinubu as the first defendant, followed by Vice Admiral Ibas and the attorneys general from the 36 states of Nigeria.
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