The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Delta Safe, have in the last one week apprehended 49 perpetrators of oil theft and destroyed 22 illegal refining sites.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known in a weekly report of ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, on Friday in Abuja.

Kangye said the troops had during the week foiled oil theft worth an estimated sum of N869.2m.

The breakdown, according to him, indicates 325,990 litres of stolen crude oil, 24,645 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 19,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 1,600 litres of engine oil were recovered.

“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 86 crude oil cooking ovens, 181 dugout pits, 25 boats, a speedboat, 18 storage tanks, 316 drums and 22 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include generator set, jack, galvanised pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 18 vehicles,” he said.

Kangye said the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, had continued to demonstrate bravery, discipline, and professionalism in the face of evolving security threats.

He said the troops neutralised several insurgents, rescued hostages, apprehended suspects, and recovered arms and ammunition during the week.

He added, “Our operations have continued across various theatres of operations comprising the North East, North West, North Central South-South and other regions where criminals seek to disrupt peace and stability.

“Troops remain committed to their constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Nigeria, as well as ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

“Between April 3 and April 10, troops recovered huge quantities of assorted arms including various kinds of machine guns, RPG tubes, automatic weapons as well as locally fabricated guns and Improvised Explosive Devices.

“Additionally, a huge cache of assorted 7.62mm and 9mm ammunition, as well as live cartridges were also recovered.”

NAN

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has officially announced July 12, 2025, as the date for the much-anticipated local government election across the state.

The announcement, made by LASIEC’s Head of Public Affairs, Tope Ojo, on Friday, signals the formal commencement of the electoral process for the 57 council chairmanship seats and 376 councillorship positions spread across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

According to Ojo, should there be a need for a rerun in any of the wards or councils, the supplementary election has been scheduled for July 19.

This development comes as the tenure of the current local council officials nears its constitutional end, prompting LASIEC to swing into full election preparation mode to avoid any governance vacuum at the third tier of government.

“The commission has released the official Notice of Election, marking the beginning of electoral activities. Political parties are now expected to visit the LASIEC headquarters to obtain nomination forms for their candidates,” Ojo said.

As part of its engagements with stakeholders, LASIEC has slated a meeting with all registered political parties for Tuesday.

The commission also disclosed that the detailed Election Guidelines will be published on April 17, providing a framework for the conduct of the elections, including timelines for candidate nominations and campaign activities.

Campaigns and political rallies are permitted to begin from April 18 and will run through to July 9, giving political parties nearly three months to present their platforms and candidates to the electorate.

The nomination process for “substituted” and “only candidate” entries must be completed between June 18 and June 25, according to LASIEC’s electoral timetable.

Chairman of LASIEC, Justice Ayotunde Phillips (rtd), has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring a free, fair, transparent, and inclusive election.

She emphasised that LASIEC is working to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties, regardless of their size or influence.

“We are dedicated to strengthening grassroots democracy through a credible electoral process. The integrity of this election is paramount, and we are engaging all stakeholders to ensure trust in the outcome,” she stated.

She, therefore, urged political actors, civil society organizations, security agencies, and citizens to play their part in ensuring peaceful and orderly elections.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has consistently emphasised the importance of local governance in achieving development goals across Lagos.

With more than 90% of public services and community development activities rooted in the local council structure, credible elections at that level are seen as fundamental to sustaining Lagos’ reputation as a pacesetter in governance and urban administration.

The upcoming elections are expected to be a litmus test for Lagos’ political structure, especially as political parties jostle for relevance and increased grassroots penetration.

Observers say the exercise will serve as a prelude to larger political realignments ahead of the next general elections in 2027.

NAN

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has warned of severe heat stress in Gombe State and 17 other Northern states.

The other states are Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory.

This is contained in its weather outlook released on Friday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Gombe on Saturday by the Meteorological Manager for Gombe State, Gayus Musa.

The agency said temperatures were expected to rise up to 40 degrees Celsius from Saturday, causing thermal discomfort in the affected states.

“After three days of rainfall, discomfort levels are set to rise from April 12 due to high temperatures and clear skies.

“Maximum temperatures in the north are reaching up to 40°C; with clear skies and moisture in the air, heat and discomfort will be more intense,” it said.

Musa urged Gombe residents to take proactive measures as extreme heat had significant health implications.

He warned that the rising temperatures and high humidity levels could cause thermal discomfort.

He advised residents to, therefore, avoid excessive sun exposure and seek cooler environments while recommending drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day.

“I advise residents to stay in well-ventilated areas, wear breathable clothing, drink plenty of water, avoid peak sun hours between 12 pm to 3 pm, and use sun protection.

“Also, let’s always check up on vulnerable persons like our children and the elderly in our communities,” he said.

He urged stakeholders to create more awareness about heat stress risks and preventive measures essential for healthy living.

NAN