Metro

I Receive N50k To Secure Vessel Used For Storing Stolen Crude Oil — Suspect

Published

2 years ago

August 16, 2023

Men of Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, have arrested three suspected crude oil thieve and seized a vessel and two tankers used in carrying out illegal activities in Rivers State.

The OPDS operatives seized the vessel used by oil thieves to store their products at the moment in Port Harcourt and arrested one suspected from the vessel, yesterday, but arrested the two tankers used in transporting illegally gotten petroleum products and two suspects, last week.

The suspect arrested from the vessel, Paul Obriku, who hails from Cross Rivers State, confessed that the oil thieves who use the vessel for their operations bring crude into the vessel with GeePee tanks and that he is paid N50,000 to secure the said vessel.

Obriku maintained that he is a civilian security personnel taking charge of the vessel, claiming that he did not know that the petroleum products loaded in the facility were stolen.

He said: “I am working in this vessel as security since there are no crew and the vessel is not working. I am here to secure the vessel for now. I know they use to bring crude oil to this place, but I do not know if it is illegal or not. They use to bring the products with Geepee tanks through fiber boats.

“There are people that are above me that authorize them to bring the products here. Sometimes I will be inside and they will be operating. I am being paid N50 thousand a month and I do not know it is an illegal vessel.

“I am only here to secure the boats. The people do bring products morning afternoon and night. There are two directors their names are Solo and Jasper. There are other people that are working here, but they are not always here.”

However, the OPDS Commander, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, said the seizures were made during covert operations based on credible intelligence over illegalities involving the vessels.

Ferreira, who was represented by the Marine Component Commander of OPDS, Commodore Adedokun Siyanbade, said the operation was conducted, Tuesday, and that the operation led to the arrest of MV Cecelia Imo, a vessel that ought to be a service boat, but has been converted to a storage tank for illegally refined products suspected to be AGO.

He said: “The vessel has a capacity of 350,000 litres, even the water tank has been converted into a fuel storage tank for this illegal product and the vessel hasn’t been to sea for the past 2years. It was expected to be under maintenance whereby illegal refiners bring their products for storage and sales.

“The vessel has been arrested and necessary procedures will be taken in line with extant regulations binding on OPDS operations.”

Ferreira noted that a suspect was arrested from the vessel, adding that there was no captain as the vessel has not been in its original use.

He said: “In Rivers State last Monday two tankers were also arrested with about 33,000 litres of crude oil by joint sector 3 of OPDS, made up of land component and marine component. They were caught siphoning oil from a dugout pit.

“For this vessel and those tankers, necessary action will be taken in line with extant regulation against them.

“On this vessel, a suspect was arrested and the engineer on board the vessel is still at large. Invariably the vessel has no captain since it has not been at sea for a long time, those on board are only the engineers and the deck hands, but we were only able to arrest the deck hands that was found on board late yesterday evening.”
VANGUARD

Metro

18-year-old Hangs Self, Police Launch Investigation

Published

5 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of an 18-year-old identified as Tersoo Veregh, who allegedly took his own life in Makurdi, the state capital.

According to Zagazola Makama, the deceased’s father, Mr. Veregh Nathaniel, of Iorkyaako Street, High Level area of Makurdi, made the tragic discovery around 2:00 a.m. on October 4, when he stepped out of his room to ease himself and found his son hanging from the ceiling.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of ‘B’ Division, Makurdi, led a team of detectives to the scene. The body was photographed and later taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary.

Police authorities said an investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Metro

Police Intercept Illicit Drugs, Recover Pistols In Delta

Published

5 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has intercepted a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected illicit drugs.

The truck, with registration number 3BGT 18LG, driven by one Dennis Uruma, a 52-year-old man from Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State, was intercepted by a patrol team of the Eagle Net Special Squad, Asaba, led by Commander SP Danyaya Yunusa.

The operation was conducted in synergy with the Office of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking.

The driver was arrested after the search, while the counting and measurement of the exhibits are ongoing.

In another development, on October 3, 2025, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, led by Commander CSP Nosa Alex, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal hideout around the Basket Market area of Asaba.

During the operation, three suspects, Rabbi Godwin, 25, Lucky Nanakumo, 20, and David Igwe, 19, were arrested.

A search of the location yielded one fabricated Beretta pistol, which was recovered and secured as evidence.

Again, on October 1, 2025, the DPO ‘B’ Division, Asaba, CSP Edewor Akponegware, led his surveillance team in a swift response to a distress report about a robbery incident around the BONSAAC axis of Asaba, where a female victim was dispossessed of her phone and other valuables at gunpoint by two male suspects.

Working with local vigilantes, the team established a discreet cordon and began a methodical sweep of adjoining streets.

The coordinated push paid off when officers intercepted one suspect, Amara Nwako, 21, a male indigene of Oko, while his accomplice fled into an uncompleted building.

A locally made pistol was recovered during a search of the immediate vicinity. Preliminary findings revealed a possible cult affiliation linking the suspect to a certain Arobaga secret cult.

According to Bright Edafe, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, all the suspects remain in custody, while a manhunt is underway for the fleeing accomplice.

(DAILY POST)

Metro

NDLEA Intercepts 174 Parcels Of Cocaine Hidden In Body Cream Containers

Published

5 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine concealed in body cream containers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

This operation, which was part of its efforts to dismantle two major drug cartels, led to six separate cocaine shipments destined for the UK. On September 16, NDLEA operatives seized 13.4 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in cocoa butter containers.

A cargo agent was arrested, directing investigators to 56-year-old Hammed Taofeek Ode, identified as the syndicate leader.

After weeks of intelligence gathering, the NDLEA coordinated with police to apprehend Ode, who had spent over 27 years in various European countries before returning to Nigeria in 2024.

“During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment, which he claimed he bought at over N150 million. He described himself as a businessman and real estate developer, ” the statement reads.

In another development, five attempts by a different cartel to export cocaine to the UK were thwarted between September 26 and October 2. On September 26, the NDLEA intercepted 2.1 kg of cocaine hidden in hair cream containers at MMIA, leading to the arrest of Smith David Korede. An additional 1.4 kg of cocaine was recovered from his location.

On October 2, two more suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were arrested after two UK-bound shipments were seized. In other states, including Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Edo, and Kogi, several suspects were also arrested with varying amounts of tramadol and cannabis.