News

Destruction Of Vessel With Stolen Crude Oil Barbaric, Unacceptable, Says CSO

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2023

A civil society organisation, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has described as barbaric the recent destruction of of a vessel containing stolen crude oil, lamenting that it has contributed more to the ongoing pollution of our waters in the Niger Delta region.

The Executive Director, HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, while reacting to the development in a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead, said with the destruction, it’s apparent “the continuous cry of pollution made by Nigerians have evaded the attention of the leadership of the Joint Task Force of the Nigerian Military and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.”

Raising concerns over the
“disregard for the environment and human lives considering the manner the vessel was destroyed with no attempt to comply with international best practice,” Bassey said “the incident also confirmed the fact that Nigeria does not know the amount of crude oil that leaves the shores of the country on a daily basis.”

“HOMEF believes the significance of the bombing of the vessel is the indication to the people that authorities care little about their safety and that
of the environment,” the statement added.

According to him, while the Niger Delta burns on account of gas flaring, oil spills and other forms of pollution, the burning of the seized oil vessel is adding salt to injury.

He said: “The drama that unfolded
regarding the seized and bombed vessel is extremely disturbing.
Destroying a vessel loaded with 800,000 barrels of crude oil should be taken as a new low in the demonstration of wastefulness on the part of those who should be watching over the nation’s resources.

“The entire episode requires urgent investigation. Why would anyone blow up a vessel and dump 800,000 barrels of oil into the environment? If that volume of crude is correct, this must be one of the largest volumes of crude oil spilled in one incident.

“Our security men are often seen protecting pollution such as gas flares and rotten pipelines and stripping
communities of their dignity. In this incident they have demonstrated
utter disregard to our constitutional right to a safe environment”.

Bassey further noted that “One drop of crude oil contaminates 25 litres
of water. Imagine what 800,000 barrels of crude oil would do. It means destruction of fisheries and of livelihoods.

“It also means directly poisoning our people. It is shocking and unacceptable.

“The entire thing seems to have been staged for some unknown purposes. How can security agents bomb a crude oil loaded vessel with Nigerians watching and filming as if they were being entertained. Oil theft is a crime.

“Blowing up a vessel loaded with crude oil is a higher order of malfeasance. The
security forces need some trainings on environmental and climate crises.

“What has played out is sickening on many levels. Economic waste. Ecological assault. Security cannot be a valid reason for blowing up the
vessel. We need to know why this was done. And urgently too”.

He said: “Considering the impact that the destruction will have on the marine ecosystem and the contribution to the pollution that has plagued the region, government agencies must adopt safe ways of handling rogue vessels, including ways of putting them out of commission. Outright
destruction of vessels on the high sea is not environmentally
acceptable. It is time for the Joint Task Force to begin to work with
environmental experts and those who are genuinely concerned about the environment to protect lives and livelihoods.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

17 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

17 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

17 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.