Oil theft: Troops dismantle 37 illegal refining sites, confiscate over 130,000 stolen products in Niger Delta

Troops of the Nigerian Army have dismantled 37 illegal refining sites, arrested ten suspected oil thieves and recovered over 130,000 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta region.

 

Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, December 22, 2024. 

 

“Troops of 6 Division, working closely with other security agencies have continued to sustain the operational gains recorded against oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region (NDR),” the statement read. 

 

In separate operations conducted from 16 - 22 December 2024, across the region, several gains were recorded. These include the dismantling of 37 illegal refining sites, six boats, arrest of ten suspected oil thieves, recovery of over 130,000 litres of stolen products amongst others.

 

In Rivers State, around Obiafu, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) LGA, a cluster of 9 illegal refining sites with 176 cooking drums and several pumping machines were destroyed. 

 

Additionally, two mobile phones, several locally constructed dumps, stocked with over 60,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated. These include about 50,000 litres of stolen crude, 5,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 6,250 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and the arrest of four suspected oil thieves.

 

In Buguma general area in Asari-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites, a large boat was also deactivated with over 24,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Meanwhile, around Bille and Bakana general areas in Degema LGA, three illegal refining sites, two wooden and one fibre boats, were intercepted with over 6,000 and 5,000 litres of stolen crude respectfully, as well as 5,000 litres of illegally refined DPK recovered. At Ozorchi Forest in Abua/Odual, four illegal refining sites with over 10,000 litres of stolen products were handled. While, clearance operations conducted along Imo River, led to the deactivation of 8 illegal refining sites, 50 drum pots, 65 metal container receivers as well as over 5,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

 

In separate operations conducted in Bayelsa State, around Kunsho Creek in Southern Ijaw, one illegal refining site with 2,000 litres of stolen crude were handled appropriately. At Kumbo 4 Flow line in Ekeremor LGA, troops thwarted an attempt to compromise Shell Petroleum Development Company pipeline. The vandals fled and abandoned 18 inches pipes and three gas cylinders at the site.

 

Meanwhile, in Delta State, troops intercepted a tanker truck positioned to siphon crude oil from Platform Petroleum Limited Pipeline at Obiukwole Community in Ethiope East LGA. A blue hose laid into the bush linking the pipeline to the tanker truck in preparation to steal was discovered by troops. 

 

In addition, four suspected oil thieves were arrested at the scene. In Akwa Ibom, troops have continued to dominate both the hinterland and waterways to ward off criminal activities in the state.

 

The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam while commending troops for the feat achieved, charged them to sustain the tempo against oil thieves. He also reassured that criminals will not be allowed freedom of action to have any foothold in the region.

 

 

Yorubas express outrage over inauguration of Sharia Court in Oyo

 

Yoruba youths are expressing their displeasure over the inauguration of a Sharia Court in Oyo State. 

A circular announcing the inauguration went viral on X and the youths made it clear that they don't want Sharia Court, which is quite common in Northern Nigeria, to be inaugurated in the South West region of Nigeria.

Muslim supporters disagreed with them and told them their fears are unfounded because sharia law does not apply to non-Muslims. 

However, the youths were not convinced.

See tweets below.

 

"Spare me landed property in Maitama for bail" Yahaya Bello begs court

 

Former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has appealed to Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to spare him the possession of a landed property in the Maitama district as one of the conditions for bail. 

Bello made the plea on Thursday, December 19, 2024, through his counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN. 

He argued that obtaining Certificates of Occupancy and other title documents for properties in Maitama is challenging due to the peculiarities of the area. 

"My Lord, most people who may be willing to stand as sureties are reluctant to part with their original title documents. Moreover, many buildings in Maitama are corporate establishments like Transcorp Hilton, NCC among others. Therefore, we are pleading with this honourable court to consider other highbrow areas such as Asokoro, Wuse 2, Guzape, and others when granting bail to our client," he said. 

Earlier, Daudu informed the court that the matter was slated for the hearing of Bello's bail application.  Explaining, he told the court, "We filed our application yesterday, December 18, 2024, and the prosecution served a counter-affidavit the same day.  "We intend to focus on the trial, and for that, we need unrestricted access to the defendant to ensure he is fully prepared. The charges against him are bailable. Moreover, there are critical documents that only he can access. My Lord, the second and third defendants have already been granted bail, and if not for procedural delays, my client would have been granted bail as well," he said.  

In response, counsel for the prosecution, Olukayode Eniton SAN, did not oppose the bail application. 

"I confirm that the learned senior counsel, Daudu, has been in communication with the prosecution team. Based on the assurance that the defendant will stand trial, barring unforeseen circumstances, we are willing to defer to your lordship's discretion regarding the terms and conditions of bail," he said. 

In her ruling, Justice Anenih granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum. The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro. 

The judge also ordered Bello to deposit his passport and other travel documents with the court registrar. She further directed that he remain in  the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre, Kuje, until his bail conditions are met. 

Two other defendants standing trial alongside Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu had their bail conditions varied.  The judge reduced their bail sum from N300m to N200m and further ordered that they could get landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court that had the same values as the bail sum. 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside  Oricha and Hudu on a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of  N110.4 billion. 

Justice Anenih adjourned hearing on the substantive suit till January 29, 2024.

Nigerian man found d3ad in a river three weeks after going missing in UK

 

The family of a 27-year-old dad-of-two, Nathaniel Favour Enemona, who was found dead in the River Roch in Greater Manchester almost three weeks after going missing, have paid tribute to him. 

He was reported missing from the Roch Valley area at around 9am on Sunday, November 24.

Members of the community in Heywood pulled together in efforts to help find Nathaniel, while police searched the River Roch on a number of occasions. 

Tragically, his body was pulled from the water on Saturday, December 14, before he was identified on Sunday.

In a statement issued through Greater Manchester Police, Nathaniel's family said: “Nathaniel was a loving man and daddy, he was the most loving and caring husband and dad who always put his family first.

"A good friend to all and a keen singer song writer. Favour will be eternally missed and will never leave our hearts.

"We ask for time and peace to process the tragic loss we feel as a family. We want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Heywood for the outpouring of love and support they have shown.

Police said at the weekend that Nathaniel's death was not being treated as suspicious. 

An inquest is expected to take place at a later date.

Speaking previously to the Manchester Evening News, Nathaniel's wife Eunice said he had left his phone at home when he told her he was going to the shops on November 24. 

He left their home in Heywood at around 8.30am, before a dog walker said they saw him in a 'sleepy state' a short time later, sitting on a wall beside the river - which was fast-flowing following Storm Bert. 

When she returned, Nathaniel had vanished, but his slider-style footwear had been left behind. 

The walker recognised Nathaniel, who regularly visited the beauty spot near the Heywood Waterfall, and immediately rang the police.

 

 

42-year-old man d!es after collapsing at work in Lagos

A 42-year-old man, Kareem Hammed has d!ed after collapsing while on duty at his workplace in Lagos State.

 

Hammed, who worked for Fortune Security Company in Onipanu, Lagos State, was rushed to the General Hospital in Odeda in Ogun State for urgent medical care where he was later confirmed d3ad.

The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said that the incident occurred on December 18, 2024, around 5:30 PM. 

 

The PPRO explained that the incident was reported by one Adejumobi Adetunji, a co-worker of the deceased, at the Odeda division of the command.

 

She said that the Divisional Police Officer in Odeda received information about his death at approximately 6:20 AM on Thursday. 

 

“A 52-year-old man named Adejumobi Adetunji, who works for Fortune Security Company in Onipanu, Lagos State, reported at the station that a 42-year-old man named Kareem Hammed, who lived in Alagbado, Lagos State, collapsed while on duty," she stated. 

 

"They both worked for the same security company. This incident happened on December 18, 2024, around 5:30 PM, after Kareem had been treated for malaria fever and discharged from the hospital just a week prior. 

 

“He was rushed to the General Hospital in Odeda for urgent care, but unfortunately, the doctor on duty confirmed his death in the early hours of the following day.”

 

Odutola noted that the body has been deposited at the Odeda General Hospital morgue for an autopsy, and the Odeda Division Police Officer has begun a preliminary investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death.  

Defamation case: If dem no release Dele on bail Tomorrow, we are going to go Ballistic with the information we have on Afe Babalola- Charley Boy warns

Veteran entertainer, Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy has warned that if activist, Dele Farotimi, is not granted bail by tomorrow, December 20, informations about Are Afe Babalola will be released.

It was reported that Farotimi was arraigned on December 4 for allegedly publishing a book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System' where he alleged that Babalola corrupted the Judiciary and procured judgements in the Supreme Court. 

Farotimi pleaded not guilty to all the sixteen count charges and was then remanded in prison custody and has been in prison since then.

Apparently upset by the Farotimi's continuous detention, Charly Boy, wrote

‘’WARNING:

If dem no release Dele on bail Tomorrow, we are going to go Ballistic with the information we have on Are Babalola.

We won't be playing dis time. Enough of dis Nonsense.

Dia Father's.''

South African man brutally k!lls his girlfriend, posts photo of her lifeless body on Facebook and video justifying the m8rder

A South African man, Sbusiso Lawrence has sparked outrage after k!lling his ex-girlfriend, Nontobeko Cele and sharing a photo of her lifeless body riddled with stab wounds on Facebook.

He filmed himself with his face covered in blood, confessing to the m8rder. 

The disturbing material went viral late on Tuesday night, 17 December 2024.

The incident reportedly happened in Durban on the same day. 

The photo shows her lying on her back and facing up, with what appears to be stab wounds on her neck. Her clothing is soaked in blood.

In his confession, the killer seemingly justifies his actions, saying the woman had toyed with him and got pregnant for another man while they were still involved. 

He claims he accepted her child as if it were his own, taking care of them. But, in a twist, the woman ended their relationship.

Watch the video below 

 

 

Truck suffers brake failure and k!lls female pedestrian in Lagos

A yet-to-be-identified woman has been confirmed de@d after a fully loaded Howo tipper truck lost control and rammed into her while she stood by the road at the Iyana Ishasi U-turn inward Mile 2 today December 17.

Preliminary investigations by the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency shows that the Howo truck, in an ill-fated attempt to navigate through traffic at an excessive speed, suffered a catastrophic brake failure, resulting in a complete loss of vehicular control. The out-of-control vehicle tragically veered off its path and struck an innocent pedestrian walking along the roadside, causing instantaneous fatality.

Swift intervention from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials, in collaboration with LASTMA operatives, ensured effective management of the incident. Security reinforcement was promptly provided by officers from the Ishasi Police Division to facilitate the ongoing rescue operation.

Expressing deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, praying for divine fortitude to withstand this irreplaceable loss.

In his admonition, Mr. Bakare-Oki reiterated the imperative for all motorists to uphold safety-consciousness at all times. He underscored the critical need for meticulous vehicle maintenance and strict adherence to traffic regulations to avert such avoidable tragedies.

 

FG announces free train rides for Nigerians from Dec 20 to Jan 5

The Federal Government has announced a free train ride for any Nigerian citizen wishing to travel to celebrate the Christmas festivities.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement on Monday, December 16, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting.

He noted that the free train ride will commence from 20th December, 2024, and end on 5th January, 2025.

According to Idris, Nigerians can access the train rides on all the routes where train services are currently being rendered.

Man be@ts Toyota Corolla driver for bashing his G-Wagon in Lagos

 

A man was caught on video assaulting a Toyota Corolla driver in Lagos after his G-Wagon was bashed while in traffic.

In the viral video, the enraged man was seen punching the driver and attempting to drag him out of his car.

The incident, which highlights Lagos' notorious traffic altercations, sparked reactions online after being shared by an X user, @chude__.

“De guy jam this man G-Wagon... the man begin lace am some punches, Lagos is wild!” the caption read.

Watch the video below…