News

Indigenous Oil Facility Security Company clears air on discovery of 9 illegal refineries in Bayelsa

Published

2 years ago

July 4, 2023

Editor

The management of an indigenous oil and gas facility security company, Pipeline Infrastructure, has cleared the air on an online report earlier Monday with headline ‘9 illegal refineries with 1m/bpd production capacity uncovered in Bayelsa’, saying the discoveries were uncovered by operatives of Pipeline Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Joint Task Force, JTF as well as personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, not the name of any purported company, which the report was wrongly ascribed to.

The Coordinator of Operations, Pipeline Infrastructure, Ikurite B. David, who made the clarification, in a statement this evening, emphasized that no fewer than nine illegal refinery sites, with a combined total daily production estimated to be more than one million barrels, were uncovered in three communities across Bayelsa State.

According to David, the discovery of the sites, aimed at eradicating the region of illegal oil bunkering activities, was carried out under “Operation No More Smoke” by operatives of Pipeline Infrastructure, including community guards of the company.

He explained that the illegal refineries commonly called kpofire in local parlance were uncovered in Okordia/Zarama/Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area and the boundary communities of Ibelebiri and Otuege (Agba) in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

David noted: “One of the busted illegal refinery sites, was located 8 kilometres inside the swamp forest of Zarama Clan. The discovery was based on local intelligence and routine operations from officials of our company. We were able to uncover sites with about 15 ovens (tanks) with a capacity of 450,000 litres daily production in Okordia/Zarama/Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

“We had difficulty accessing the sites, because they are tucked away about eight kilometers across the Taylor Creek in the swamp forest. Our community guards, trekked for more than three hours, before they got to the locations. We also discovered that the operators were tapping (sourcing) their production from Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, pipelines in the area.

“We also visited sites in Ibelebiri and Agba communities in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where we uncovered many tanks being constructed by illegal refineries operators with a production capacity of more than 500,000 barrels per day. One of the standouts of that operation was the visible environmental impact. We saw a two-hectare of land totally destroyed by activities of artisanal crude oil refining.

“Pipeline Infrastructure will continue to uncover more and fetch them out from the roots. Our mandate is to protect the environment and oil facilities to boost oil production and the Nigerian economy, that is the task given to us and we will continue to collaborate and sensitize the communities and work with the leaders of the community.”

VANGUARD

News

Tinubu Unveils Plan To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland

Published

11 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has moved to restart oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers State.

The president disclosed this on Wednesday when he conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on the late Ogoni four; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage.

Conferring the honours at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of division.

He assured them of his administration’s support for peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in the land.

“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production.

“The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” he said.

The president directed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagements between Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting operations.

Earlier in his report, the NSA stated that the consultations engaged all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, capturing demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup, and sustainable development.

News

Former Oyo Police Commissioner Is Dead

Published

13 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

A Former Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abiodun Odude is dead.

The shocking news of his death was shared by the Chairman, Ibadan branch of Government College, GCI Old Boys Association, Akin Orowale on the Association’s platform.

Abiodun Odude, an old boy of GCI, served as Oyo CP between 2017 and 2019.

In the meantime, reactions have continued to trail the death of Odude.

A former Director General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), and GCI OBA stalwart, Dr Yinka Adepoju posted this on platform.

“Hmmm, another deep cut in the GCI Old Boys Association and Boys of 71 Set in particular!

“May the Soul of Biodun rest in peace as l pray that the Lord comforts all members of this Great 71Set and his entire family members, ‘Yinka Adepoju @71, 2356# Grierson”

“So sad to lose such a personality NOW. But what can we do? Nothing absolutely than to wish him eternal rest and divine consolation to the loved ones left behind, particularly his immediate family and GCIOBA,” another old boy, who is an Ibadan based politician, Mr Adeniyi Adeoti said.

The late Odude served in the Intelligence Department, Zone 2, Lagos State as Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID, Panti, Yaba; he was Commissioner of Police, Administration; Department of Finance and Admin., Force Headquarters, Abuja.

News

Lagos Govt Gives Computer Village Traders Ultimatum To Relocate To Katangowa

Published

17 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has given traders at the popular Computer Village in Ikeja an 18-month deadline to move to a new permanent site at Katangowa, in the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement with market leaders and traders on Tuesday.

According to him, the state government has provided the necessary infrastructure and facilities at the Katangowa site to ensure a conducive business environment once the relocation takes effect.

“The government wants your cooperation to ensure the relocation comes to pass. The time is now. We have to make the project a reality. The relocation period is 18 months,” Oki said.

He explained that Computer Village currently sits on land originally designated as a residential area, which over time was converted into a bustling commercial hub without formal approval from the government.

Oki also revealed that plans to move traders from Ikeja to Katangowa have been in the works since 2006 but were stalled due to delays in completing the new site.

Emphasizing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to inclusive governance, he noted that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to carry traders along in the government’s plans.

“The governor is passionate about infrastructure development and the welfare of Lagosians. Katangowa has been designated as the permanent site for this market. It sits on 15 hectares of land, well-planned and strategically located near essential resources for your businesses.

“The present location in Ikeja was never meant to serve as a trading hub. What we are offering at Katangowa is a structured market environment that supports growth while addressing environmental and urban planning concerns. We want to work with you and jointly plan this relocation,” Oki said.