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Crude oil theft: Military destroy 18 illegal refineries, nabs 17 suspects in Niger Delta

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In a relentless assault against economic sabotage, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have delivered a crippling blow to illegal oil refining operations across the Niger Delta.

A week-long offensive, spanning February 17-23, 2025, saw the dismantling of 18 clandestine refineries, the apprehension of 17 suspected oil thieves, and the seizure of over 25,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army, revealed the operation’s sweeping success, citing significant breakthroughs in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States. Rivers State, particularly the Kilometre 45 and Idama areas of Akuku-Toru Local Council, bore witness to the destruction of two active refining sites and the interception of three crude-laden wooden boats.

A daring highway seizure at Ogale Junction saw a truck carrying over 3,000 litres of stolen crude impounded, while a hidden oil bunkering dump at Okwuzi yielded over 2,100 litres of illegally refined AGO.

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The offensive continued unabated in Bayelsa State, with the obliteration of three refining sites at Clough Creek and another in Biseni, resulting in the recovery of thousands of litres of stolen crude and vital refining equipment.

In Delta State, a dramatic interception of a Toyota Camry carrying illicit AGO at Oton Village led to the arrest of six suspects, further disrupting the intricate web of illegal operations.

Major General Emmanuel Emekah, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, lauded the troops’ unwavering commitment and urged them to maintain the operational momentum. “Continued pressure will deny economic saboteurs the freedom to perpetrate their activities in the region,” he declared, underscoring the army’s resolve to safeguard the nation’s resources.

This decisive operation signals a powerful deterrent to those profiting from the illicit trade, reinforcing the Nigerian Army’s commitment to securing the Niger Delta and protecting the country’s economic lifeline.

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Man commits suicide after wife’s death in Niger

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A young man identified as Stephen Moses has reportedly committed suicide after the death of his youngest wife in Ikumi Village, Shako District, Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State,

Sources told Daily Trust that Stephen, 30, had battled mental and emotional health challenges since the death of his second wife in March this year.

Sources said he had constantly stated that he could not have a comfortable life without his late wife.

Daily Trust gathered that he used his dane gun with which he hunted to kill himself on his farm.

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One of the sources said he left behind his first wife and two children.

Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust.

He said the incident happened on April 24, 2025.

According to him “On 24th April, 2025 at about 8pm, report received that one Stephen Moses 30yrs of Ikumi village via Shako District of Gawu-Babangida, Gurara LGA earlier around afternoon period shot himself on the chest with a Dane gun in his farm.

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“Police operatives of Gawu-Babangida Div visited the scene, found a Dane gun and the body on the ground, corpse was taken to the hospital while preliminary findings revealed that the deceased was mourning the death of his wife who recently passed on, and has been threatening to commit suicide, and his relatives didn’t inform the Police for preventive measure”.

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Wanted CBEX promoter surrenders to EFCC

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One of the suspected promoters of the cryptocurrency trading platform, Crypto Bridge Exchange, Adefowora Abiodun, who was recently declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, voluntarily surrendered himself to the anti-graft agency on Monday.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had, in a ruling on Thursday last week, approved the EFCC’s request to arrest and detain six promoters of CBEX pending the conclusion of investigations into the alleged offences and possible prosecution.

Abiodun, alongside five others – Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim – was declared wanted by the EFCC following submissions made by the commission’s counsel, Fadila Yusuf.

After hearing the EFCC’s application, Justice Nwite ruled, “I have listened to the submission of learned counsel for the applicant. I have also reviewed the affidavit evidence and exhibits, along with the written address. I am satisfied that the application is meritorious and hereby grant it as prayed.”

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All six promoters were declared wanted by the EFCC for their alleged involvement in a fraudulent investment scheme valued at over $1bn.

Following the declaration, Abiodun, accompanied by his lawyers, turned himself in at the EFCC headquarters at around 4:00 p.m. on Monday.

Abiodun expressed his willingness to cooperate with the EFCC.

Counsel for the suspect, Babatunde Busari, stated that his client decided to submit himself for investigation to clear his name and correct the false narrative being widely circulated in the media.

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Boko Haram kills 17, displaces farmers in Adamawa village

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The Chairman of Hong Local Government Area in Adamawa State, Usman Wa’anganda, has cried out in anguish following another deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Kopre village, where at least 17 hunters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) were killed on Saturday.

The fresh attack, which occurred around 4:00 p.m. on April 26, 2025, saw armed insurgents storm the border community on motorcycles, overpowering local defenders with superior firepower.
The onslaught left many houses burnt and deepened fears among residents already living under the shadow of repeated assaults.

Wa’anganda, speaking exclusively to The Guardian in an interview, lamented the worsening security situation in Kopre, a village sharing a porous border with the notorious Sambisa forest, a stronghold of the Boko Haram terror group.

“You know Kopre is one of the villages that shares a border with Sambisa forest, so Boko Haram frequently enters and attacks,” he said. “We only have hunters there. There are no soldiers or any security presence. Even when we call them, they don’t come.”

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According to him, 17 people have been killed in Kopre and other nearby villages in the last two weeks alone, with many others fleeing their homes to escape further attacks.
Wa’anganda warned that the continued displacement of farmers could devastate food production as the rainy season approaches.

He acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Adamawa State Government to empower local vigilantes but insisted that more must be done.

“The security situation here is disappointing. I advise the government to send a battalion here so that our people can return to their homes and farms,” he pleaded.

Sources revealed that the hunters and Civilian JTF members killed on Saturday had been deployed from Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State and other parts of Adamawa to reinforce security in Kopre. However, they were overwhelmed by the insurgents’ sophisticated weaponry.

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Since 2024, Kopre has suffered repeated terrorist attacks, with at least 40 villagers abducted by insurgents still languishing in captivity.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Police Command has deployed additional personnel to the area to strengthen security.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahya Nguroje, said the officers were tasked with improving surveillance, protecting lives and property, and recovering illegal arms.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, urged the deployed personnel to act professionally and respond promptly to distress calls, emphasizing the force’s commitment to safeguarding residents.

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