Metro
Army destroys 34 illegal refineries in Niger Delta
The six Division of the Nigerian Army said its troops have destroyed 34 illegal refining sites, arrested eleven suspected oil thieves, and seized over 80,650 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta.
The Army said this followed several clearance operations conducted alongside other sister agencies in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and Akwa Ibom states respectively from November 18 and 24. 2024.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Giving account of the operations in Rivers State, Danuma said in Buguma Creeks in Asari-Toru Local Government, over eight illegal refining sites were deactivated, with dugout pits containing over 25,000 litres of stolen products handled.
Furthermore, at Iyalama/Bakana, also in Buguma, a Wellhead used as a loading point by the criminals was discovered, several cooking pots of different sizes, receivers as well as four wooden boats were taken out with over 8, 000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
The statement read further, “Troops, also intercepted a wooden boat stocked with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same area. Similarly, around Ogaji – Ama, in Buguma South East River, two wooden boats loaded with over 3, 000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.
“In a related development, operations were conducted, around Asaramatoro Creek in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude housed in a local reservoir was discovered. Relatedly, along Idu Ekpeye in Ahoada West LGA, a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted. At the Obiafu general area in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered.
“Also, at Oboburu in ONELGA, troops had an encounter with an armed vandal who opened fire on them. They responded, and he was neutralised. One pump action gun and 5 cartridges were recovered at the scene.
“While, around the Ke Community in Degema LG, a large wooden boat hidden inside the creek suspected to be used by the oil thieves was intercepted. Further combing of the general area led to the confiscation of a fibre boat laden with over 1,500 litres of stolen products. A clearance operation was also conducted along the Imo River, particularly around Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa, and environs, with remarkable successes recorded.”
“These included the dismantling of over 20 illegal refining sites, 169 cooking drums, 29 metal container receivers, as well as the recovery of over 15,000 litres of stolen products.”
In Bayelsa State, the Army 6 Division spokesman said several operations were conducted with successes recorded. At Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted. Likewise, around the Sangakubu general area in Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
Danjuma disclosed that the operation was also extended to Southern Ijaw LGA, along Tebidaba Creek, where illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with an unquantified quantity of stolen products handled appropriately.
“While, in Delta State, troops on routine patrol, along Ekpan in Uvwie LGA, intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a tank within the premises of Lamiel Hotel and Suites.
“Additionally, troops in pursuit, intercepted two vehicles stocked with stolen products at Abe Community in Orhiomwon LGA of Edo State. In Akwa State, troops have continued to dominate land and waterways to ward off criminal activities.
“During the operations conducted within the period under review, several achievements were recorded across the joint operations area.”
The statement summarises the achievements as follows,These included the dismantling of 34 illegal refining sites, arrest of eleven suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 19 boats, and over 80,650 litres of stolen products recovered.
“Others include the deactivation of 180 cooking drum pots, 29 metal container receivers, several vehicles, and motorcycles. Those arrested have been profiled and handed over to the relevant authority, while products were handled appropriately.”
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended troops for their resilience and assured that the Division under his watch would continue to sustain the ongoing operations to ensure an increase in oil and gas production.
Abdussalam stated that the efforts would be sustained to effectively thwart the intentions of the criminal elements and economic saboteurs operating in the region.
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Theophilus Osazuwa for allegedly killing his four-year-old son.
The command said Osazuwa was suspected to have committed the act while under the influence of hard drugs.
The spokesperson for the command, Moses Yamu, revealed in a statement on Wednesday night that the incident, which resulted in the death of the four-year-old boy, occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
He stated that Osazuwa had just returned to his apartment at Ogbeson Quarters, off Benin-Agbor Road in Benin City, when he suddenly fell into a trance.
While in a trance, the suspect reportedly screamed, “Holy Ghost fire,” grabbed the four-year-old boy, and slammed him against the wall, resulting in the child’s death.
Yamu stated, “Edo Police Command has arrested one Theophilus Osazuwa of Ogbeson Quarters off Benin-Agbor Road, Benin City, for the murder of his four-year-old son named Testimony Osazuwa.
“The suspect was said to have arrived at his home on 24/12/2024 at about 1230 hrs, went berserk screaming ‘Holy Ghost fire,’ then reached for the four-year-old boy and slammed him to the wall. The child was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the young man who is known for the consumption of illicit (colloquial, ice, etc.) substances must have acted under the influence of the same.”
He stated that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umoru Ozigi, cautioned youths against the dangers of consuming illicit substances and drugs, emphasising their harmful effects on health and the potential risks they pose to both their lives and the safety of others.
The presiding Pastor of the Tree of Life Bible Church, Irete, Owerri West LGA, Ebere Emmanuel Amadi, has been arraigned in court after many weeks of hiding from the police.
He was arrested by the Ogbaku Police Station, following a report leveled against him by his mother, Mrs. Nelly Chidinma Amadi for assault, molestation and threat to her life, over family property.
DAILY POST gathered that pastor Amadi had earlier jumped administrative bail from the Scorpion Squad Office a few weeks ago, which warranted the police to launch for his rearrest.
Following his apprehension, the State Police command instituted a court action against him for allegedly molesting and threatening the life of Mrs. Nelly Amadi who was said to be his mother.
In the suit, MID/31C/ 2024, between Commissioner of Police Vs Ebere Emmanuel Amadi, 47, the charges read, “That you Ebere Emmanuel Amadi “M” On or before September 6,2024 at Irete Owerri, Imo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did steal property documents belonging to one Nelly Amadi and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 390 (9) of the criminal code Cap “C38” of the laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Imo State.
“COUNT II: That you Ebere Emmanuel Amadi “M” on about the same date and place did with intent maliciously damaged the medicated eye glass worth Sixty Thousand Naira (N60,000) property of Nelly Amadi and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap “C38” Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Imo State.
“COUNT III: that you Ebere Emmanuel Amadi on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, by forcibly entering into the compound of one Nelly Amadi and wrote “This House is Not For Sale”, “Beware of 419” and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249 ( d) of the Criminal Code, Cap “C38″ Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable to Imo State.”
Counsel to defendant, Barr. Osuocha, pleaded with the court to grant him bail on the ground that the case is a family matter and may be settled out of court.
After his submissions, the Magistrate, His Worship Alamezie asked the Prosecutor, Maria Gorretti Nosiri, if she was objecting to the request to grant the defendant bail, she said, “No objection”.
The court granted the Defendant bail of N500, 000, and a surety, who must be a Level 10 Officer with the Imo State Civil Service, in like sum, alongside means of identification documents.
Due to unavailability of a surety for the defendant, the Prosecuting officer, Nosiri took him to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Owerri.
The court adjourned till January 24, 2025 for hearing as the defendant pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him.
Fatiha Abdulhakeem, the 18-year-old suspect accused of murdering Adamu Jagaba, a retired Permanent Secretary in Niger State, has died in police custody in Minna.
The police have yet to disclose the cause of death.
Abdulhakeem was recently paraded at the Police Headquarters in Minna by Commissioner of Police Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman as the principal suspect in the murder of Jagaba at his block industry near the PDP secretariat in Minna.
In a chilling confession during an earlier interview, Abdulhakeem revealed that he was hired by a group of individuals, along with members of his gang, to kill the retired permanent secretary. He claimed that the act was carried out with the assistance of the victim’s staff.
The suspect admitted to receiving N100,000 from his accomplices as part of the payment for the murder and said he was promised additional compensation after selling the victim’s stolen Toyota Camry.
In a graphic description of the crime, Abdulhakeem recounted stabbing the victim twice in the neck, sitting on his chest, and repeatedly striking his head with a stapler until he succumbed to his injuries.
When asked about his emotions during the act, the suspect callously stated: “I felt nothing for him. The permanent secretary begged me to spare his life, but I had no compassion for him because I was already high on drugs.”
Confirming the suspect’s death, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that Abdulhakeem died after complaining of severe stomach pain. He was taken to the General Hospital in Minna for medical attention but passed away while receiving treatment.
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