Metro

Army Seizes 5m Litres Of Stolen Crude Oil In Rivers

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2024

Editor

The Nigerian Army has seized about 5 million litres of stolen crude oil, worth billions of naira, a senior army official has revealed.

Maj.-Gen. Jamaal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, led newsmen to the location of the seized petroleum product in Oyibo, Rivers, on Wednesday.

He said troops discovered an intelligence report that uncovered a massive illegal refining site in a dense forest at the Kom-Kom community in Oyibo.

“In continuation of our ongoing operations to dismantle all illegal refineries and illegal pipeline connections, on January 31, we received credible intelligence about the activities of oil thieves in Oyibo.

“Upon receiving the intelligence report, troops were deployed, and they raided the location (illegal refinery).

“At first, I thought we would not find anything considering the last raid we carried out in Odagwa, but we discovered massive illegal bunkering activities taking place there.”

Abdussalam emphasised that the discovery of the illegal bunkering site was a significant breakthrough in the Federal Government’s efforts to rid the country of oil thieves and economic saboteurs.

“During the raid on the illegal facility, we discovered over 15 boilers and nine reservoirs containing over 5 million litres of stolen crude oil reserved for processing.

“On our way here, we also found five large foreign (Cotonou) boats filled with 200 to 300 litres of crude oil each along the Imo River leading to the forest.

“It is sad that these illegal activities have continued despite efforts to curb them. However, we will persist until we bring an end to the menace,” he added.

The senior officer stated that intelligence reports revealed the involvement of oil thieves and pipeline vandals who were supported by individuals who are bent on undermining government’s efforts.

He said that the Nigerian Army had already initiated actionable steps to curb illegal bunkering and pledged the division’s dedication to ending the menace.

“Illegal refineries are not established by ordinary individuals on the roadside. It requires expertise and meticulous setup—beyond the capabilities of the labourers we arrested the last time.

“Therefore, we call on the criminals involved in this illicit enterprise to engage in legitimate businesses and allow the government to do what it is supposed to do,” he cautioned.
(NAN)

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

20 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

21 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.