Metro

Army Destroys 34 Illegal Refineries In Niger Delta

Published

12 months ago

November 24, 2024

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.

Metro

JUST IN: Court Rules Judgment In Kanu’s Terrorism Trial

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has said that the judgment in the trial of the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will be delivered in the defendant’s absence.

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Omotoso gave the ruling during the resumed trial of Kanu on Thursday following what he described as Kanu’s unruly behavour in court.

The judge had earlier ordered the IPOB leader to be removed from the courtroom after he became unruly midway through proceedings on Thursday.

Omotoso had ruled and dismissed three fresh motions filed by Kanu after the case was adjourned for judgment and dismissed them for being unmeritorious.

As the judge moved to deliver the ruling earlier, scheduled for Thursday, November 20, Kanu argued that the court could not proceed because he had yet to file his final written address.

Raising his voice, Kanu accused Omotosho of being biased and claimed that the judge did not know the law.

Kanu was later moved out of the courtroom, while the judge proceeded to deliver the final judgment in his absence.

Metro

BREAKING: Judge Orders Kanu Out Of Court Over ‘Unruly’ Conduct

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Nnamdi Kanu of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to be removed from the courtroom following his “unruly” conduct before the judgement in the matter on Thursday.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, dismissed three fresh motions filed by Kanu after the case was adjourned for judgment and dismissed them for being unmeritorious.

The judge further ruled that because of his “unruly and violent behaviour”, the main judgement can be delivered in his absence.

When the judge moved to deliver the ruling earlier scheduled for Thursday, Kanu argued that the court could not proceed because he was yet to file his final written address.

Raising his voice, Kanu accused the judge of being biased and claimed that the judge did not know the law.

The judge subsequently proceeded to deliver the judgement.

Details shortly….

Metro

Ogun Motorcyclist Arrested For Killing Wife, Conveying Corps In Sack

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a motorcycle rider identified as Godonu Lowe, for allegedly killing his wife and transporting her corpse in an attempt to escape from the community in Ilaro area of the state.

Lowe, who had hidden the corpse of his wife in a sack tied to the back of his motorcycle, was intercepted during a stop-and-search operations on Wednesday.

The Command’s Spokesperson, Omolola Odutola in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Thursday, said the suspect was arrested at about 1:05 p.m. following a credible information.

Odutola revealed that the corpse had marks of violence, bleeding around the neck, adding that blood-stained cutlass was also recovered at the crime scene.

She said, “On Wednesday, 19th November 2025, at about 1305hrs, the Divisional Police Officer in Ilaro received credible information that a suspected felon, Godonu Lowe ‘m’ of Omolende Village via Idogo, was transporting the corpse of an unknown woman on a motorcycle in an attempt to escape from the community.

“Acting swiftly, police operatives intercepted the suspect and a sack tied to the back of his motorcycle was untied. The content was discovered to be the corpse of an adult female, later identified as his wife.

“The body bore marks of violence, bleeding around the neck, suggesting foul play. A blood-stained cutlass was recovered at the crime scene.”

Odutola noted that the suspect has been taken into custody and the remains of the victim deposited at the State Morgue in Ilaro for preservation and autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, while commending the anonymous informant, urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist the police in crime prevention and detection, stressing that even the slightest suspicion reported to the police could save lives.