Metro

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

Published

3 years ago

August 16, 2023

Editor

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

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.