News
Army destroys 15 illegal refineries, arrests 10 suspects
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.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocations.
According to a statement on Friday, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read: “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas has declared that he is not owing FCTA a dime as alleged in a section of the media.
The speaker who made this declaration via a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Musa Abdullahi Kirishi stated that:
“The attention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, has been drawn to reports in both the print and electronic media to the effect that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) revoked land titles in the FCT, belonging to certain individuals, including the Speaker, due to non-settlement of outstanding payments.
“For the record, His Excellency, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, has only one land allocated to him in the FCT, and has since settled his outstanding payment in October 2024, following the FCTA’s newspapers’ publications to that effect.
“It is, therefore, an error for the FCTA to include his name among those having outstanding payments, leading to the revocation of the land titles. The FCTA is advised to be more circumspect in handling such issues.
The Speaker cautions the media to always verify their facts before going to press with such issues.
The media are, therefore, urged to desist from further publishing or spreading such misleading information about the person of the Speaker.
The Army Council on Thursday approved the promotion of 35 Brigadier Generals and 73 colonels.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu on Friday said the Brigadier Generals were promoted to the rank of Major General, while the colonels were promoted to Brigadier General accordingly.
Those promoted to the rank of Major General include, Brig Gen A Garba Acting Provost Marshal Nigerian Army, Brig Gen UM Alkali Deputy Chief of Administration, Directorate of Veteran Affairs (Army), Brig Gen AGL Haruna, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 North East Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen IA Ajose Acting General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 North West Operation FANSAN YAMA, Brig General NB Ebulue Headquarters Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Brig Gen LG Lepdung Commander Operation WHIRL STROKE, Brig Gen OA Awolo Director Military Training Nigerian Defence Academy, Brig Gen UG Ogeleka Commander Nigerian Army Space Command, Brig Gen OA Fadairo Commander 12 Brigade, Brig Gen OD Williams Commander 22 Brigade , Brig Gen JR Lar Commander 32 Brigade, Brig Gen AG Mahmuda Commandant Warrant Officer Academy, Brig Gen VD Beryo Commander Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brig Gen AOD Okoro Director Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes, Brig Gen SO Adejimi Director Movement Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics, Brig Gen TT Sidick Director of Finance Nigerian Defence Academy, Brig Gen MCE Ejike Commander Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen MF Babayo Commander Sector 3 North East Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen H Yanet Commander 51 Signal Brigade and Brig Gen MK Gara Army Headquarters Department of Training.
Also promoted to the rank of Major General are Brig Gen BP Koughna Deputy Chief of Military Affairs, Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs, Brig Gen I Otu Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Brig Gen AO Adegbite Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Brig Gen IE Ekpeyong Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers, Brig Gen AA Idris Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, Brig Gen SA Gumel Nigerian Army Resource Centre Strategic Management and Policy Studies, Brig Gen MT Jinadu Commander 82 Division Ordnance Services, Brig Gen SA Jimoh Deputy Director Tender Board Department of Procurement, and Brig Gen UT Opuene Deputy Director Policy and Plans Defence Intelligence Agency, among others.
Officers promoted from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier General are Col SM Iliya Commander 43 Engineers Brigade, Col O Igwe Commander 78 Supply and Transport, Col NE Udofia Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical Mechanical Engineers, Col UR Okoroji Commander 404 Engineers Brigade, Col GS Oyinwola Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Col S Ahmadu Defence Intelligence Agency, Col CI Nwonyi Commander 81 Division Provost Group, Col AS Aliyu Commander 1 Division Military Intelligence, Col T Garba Commander 77 Supply and Transport Brigade, Col K Imam Commander Army Headquarters Garrison Ordinance Services, Col NS Onuchukwu Chief Medical Director 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Col A Musa Commander 108 Division Equipment Support, Col DM Baba Office of the National Security Adviser, Col OA Obochi Defence Headquarters, Col PAJ Ebuk Commander 1 Division Supply and Transport, Col IP Omoke Office of the COAS Directorate of Procurement and Col P Elayo Headquarers Department of Space Administration.
Others elevated to the rank of Brigadier General are Col NI Abdullahi Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Col JC Mbanefo Army War College Nigeria, Col IO Amah Department of Operations Defence Headquarters, Col M Jimoh Defence Headquarters Garrison, Col TA Ayoola Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations, Col SA Jimoh Office of the Chief of Army Staff Department of Procurement, Col OC Ameni 103 Division Equipment Support, Col OU Okwuosa 2 Division Medical Hospital and Services, Col AO Odubiyi Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Col NE Udofia Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, among others.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, while congratulating the newly promoted senior officers and their families, also charged them to redouble their efforts to justify their elevation and the confidence reposed in them.
He further tasked the newly promoted officers to lead their subordinates by example and evolve “out of the box” ideas and innovations to speedily tackle contemporary security challenges bedeviling the nation. He added that they must remain committed to their oath of allegiance to defend the nation at all times and maintain unalloyed loyalty to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Wike gives final ultimatum to land owners to pay for C-of-O
Land Title:Speaker Abbas insists he’s not owing FCTA
Army Council elevates 35 Brigadier Generals, 73 Colonels
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