Metro

Army Destroys 34 Illegal Refineries In Niger Delta

Published

1 year 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

18-year-old OAU Medical Student Dies While Sleeping

Published

6 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has announced the death of an 18-year-old part-three medical student of the institution.

The student, identified as Timilehin Adetoye Toromade, was a student of the College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery.

According to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, Timilehin with matriculation number CLI/2022/133, reportedly died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

The statement revealed that the “university received the news of the student’s passing with shock and deep sorrow”.

It also described the incident as devastating to the academic community.

According to the statement, “preliminary information suggested that the student might have died shortly after 2 a.m., as one of his roommates reportedly said the deceased opened the door for another student around that time.

“The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed condolences on behalf of the Visitor, the University Council, Management, Senate, staff and students”.

The VC, Professor Bamire, described the incident as a painful loss, saying, “The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose, and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture.”

He added that the university community was united in grief over the passing of a student who had embraced the rigours of medical training with the aim of serving humanity.

According to him, the death had left a void among the student’s peers and all those who knew him within the university community.

The university management stated that it was working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, in line with established medical and administrative procedures.

It also disclosed that appropriate support measures were being put in place to assist students and members of the university community who may have been emotionally affected by the loss.

The management called on students, staff, alumni and friends of the institution to remain calm and compassionate, while extending sympathy to the family of the deceased.

Metro

Panic As BRT Bus Catches Fire On Third Mainland Bridge

Published

6 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Panic gripped motorists on Tuesday afternoon following a fire outbreak involving a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, vehicle on the Third Mainland Bridge, leading to massive traffic disruption.

The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. near the Adekunle section of the bridge, heading towards Iyana Oworo.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, confirmed the development in a statement posted on its official X handle.

According to the agency, the high-capacity BRT bus suddenly went up in flames, prompting anxiety among road users in the area.

Footage shared online showed the bus completely consumed by fire, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky as motorists slowed down or sought alternative routes to avoid the scene.

While no injuries or loss of life were reported, the incident caused a heavy traffic buildup extending from Adekunle towards Iyana Oworo.

“A high-capacity bus is currently on fire on the Third Mainland Bridge by Adekunle, inward Iyana Oworo, and this is impacting traffic flow,” LASTMA stated.

“Our personnel are on ground managing traffic, while efforts are ongoing to extinguish the fire,” the agency added.

Subsequent updates indicated that officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene and worked to control the blaze to prevent further damage.

Traffic officers were also deployed to redirect vehicles away from the affected area as emergency responders tackled the situation.

As of the time this report was filed, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined.

Metro

Kwara Vigilante Men Arrested By Soldiers In Edo State Released

Published

9 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Six Kwara State vigilante men arrested by the Nigerian Army on December 31,2025, along Auchi-Ikpeshi highway in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, have been released after a thorough investigation by the authorities.

Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed the development in a statement in Ilorin on Tuesday.

The statement read in part; “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to confirm that on Wednesday, 31st December, 2025, it received six vigilante members who were earlier arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Army along the Auchi–Ikpeshi Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The Vigilantes, travelling in a vehicle belonging to Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, were formally handed over to the Kwara State Police Command by the Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Brigadier General N.N. Rume, for the purpose of investigation and profiling.

“Following a thorough investigation, it was established that the individuals are legitimate members of a vigilante group operating in collaboration with recognised security agencies in the ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other forms of criminality.

“Consequently, having been exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing, the vigilante members were released to their respective leaders,” the statement added.

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reiterated the command’s commitment to synergy among security agencies and community-based security outfits, while urging all groups to continually operate within the confines of the law.

He assured members of the public that the command remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure the safety and security of all residents of the state.