Metro

JTF Destroys Stolen Crude Oil In Ondo

Published

2 years ago

November 19, 2023

A joint task force of Men of the Anti Crude Oil Theft, COT, and the patrol team of the Nigeria Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda, Ondo State, have arrested and destroyed about 16,000 litres of crude oil and illegally refined automotive gas oil worth over N13m.

The Commanding Officer, Captain Wasuku Alushi, said that based on credible intelligence, the Task Force moved to sustain the fight against illegal bunkering and in the process, tracked and intercepted a wooden boat popularly referred to as a cotonou boat laden with crude oil.

Speaking through the Executive Officer of the Base, Commander Humphrey Nnaji, Alushi, said the bunkers fled on sighting the men of the FOB who were patrolling the riverine areas.

Alushi said: “The wooden boat was intercepted about 12 Nautical Miles off the coast of adjoining Ojumole and Obe community in Ilaje Local government area of Ondo state. On sighting of the Naval personnel, the crew abandoned the boat and fled.”

He added that the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe
was established to serve as a force multiplier for the Western Naval Command, (WNC) in furtherance of its policing roles, especially the Anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) and illegal bunkering.

“FOB Igbokoda is operationally responsible to the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command under the leadership of Rear Admiral MB Hassan.”

He reiterated the commitment of the Base to stamp out the menace of COT and other crimes in Igbokoda and its environment.

Alushi promised that the Base would intensify her intelligence gathering, surveillance, robust and aggressive maritime, vehicular as well and static deployment of personnel at strategic locations especially choke points within the Base area of operation.

“So far, within six weeks of the CO’s assumption of command, the Base has made great strides in the arrest and destruction of illegally refined products all by OPDS directive/mandate.

“On 13 October 23, 2023, a wooden boat laden with about 2000 litres of suspected illegally refined crude products was intercepted and destroyed at Awoye.

” In another operation on 18 Oct 23, based on credible intelligence, the Base discovered an illegal storage site with approximately 5000 litres of illegal POL products at Ugbo-Nla, which was destroyed by OPDS directives.

“In furtherance of the Base operations against COT, on 27 Oct 23, the Base stormed an IRS at Obe- Akinboye in Obenla community which was observed to be under reactivation for illegal refining of illegally refined AGO which was also destroyed by the mandate.

“On 30 Oct, the Base also discovered a storage facility for illegally refined products at old market road Igbokoda with 11 x 25 litres containers of illegally refined products totalling 275 litres.

“Most recently, On 14 Nov 23, an illegal storage site at Mahin was discovered with 96 drums of 30 litres jerrican and 3 x 300 litres drums of illegally refined POL products approximately 3500 litres concealed in a storage facility.

“All discovered and destroyed illegal POL products totalling approximately 15,775 litres and valued at around #13,251,000
at current pump price.”

The commanding Officer assured that the Base would continue to carry out its operations in line with the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla.

According to him, the Commanding Officer under his watch is determined to take innovative steps in dealing with criminal activities.

He assured the people of the southern senatorial district that the Base was poised to stem the vicious cycle of criminality and provide a stable and peaceful environment for citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without fear or intimidation and for economic activities to thrive unabated.

Metro

EFCC Re-arraigns Ex-minister Over Alleged $6bn Mambilla Fraud

Published

21 minutes ago

September 18, 2025

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja.

Agunloye was accused in an amended seven-count charge over the alleged fraudulent award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract worth $6 billion.

EFCC disclosed this in a statement on its X handle on Thursday.

Count one reads: “That you, Olu Agunloye, whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel on or about the 2nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly disobeyed the directive of the President, made in the Federal Executive Council meeting of 21st May 2003, directed at you pursuant to the Presidents’ powers under Section 5(1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) when you signed a letter addressed to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, conveying the approval of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the construction of the 3,960 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law.”

Count Four reads: “That you, Olu Agunloye whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel and Leno Adesanya (at large) of Sunrise [Power and Transmission Company Limited, on or about the 22nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to cause the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) to enter into a contract with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) used as genuine, a false document titled, “Construction of 3,960mw Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis,” dated the 22nd of May, 2003, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.”

Agunloye pleaded not guilty to all counts.

EFCC counsel M.K. Hussein told the court he was ready to continue the testimony of the third prosecuting witness.

He asked for a date for the continuation of the trial.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to 9 October 2025 for the continuation of trial.

The PUNCH reports that a key witness in the case, Adewale Agunbiade, in September 2024, told the court that N5.2 million was wired into an account belonging to Agunloye, in connection with the Mambilla Power Project contract.

Agunbiade alleged that the transaction formed part of the purported corrupt dealings underlying the contract’s award.

Metro

NAF Airstrikes Kill Scores Of Terrorists, Destroy Hideout In Borno

Published

6 hours ago

September 18, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said air interdictions by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have killed scores of terrorists and destroyed their enclave in Borno.

This was contained in a statement released by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Thursday in Abuja.

Ejodame said the strikes were conducted on Wednesday at about 10:50 a.m. in Bula Madibale, Gezuwa general area of the state.

He said intelligence and surveillance had confirmed unusual movements at the location, where about 45 terrorists were observed converging, some arriving on motorcycles and bicycles from different directions.

According to him, reconnaissance also revealed two terrorist flags hoisted at the site, underscoring its use as a stronghold and rallying point for insurgents.

“Acting on this credible intelligence, the Air Component launched precision strikes, eliminating several terrorists, while the flagged structure and other hostile assets were destroyed,” he said.

Ejodame also said that the strikes denied the terrorists freedom to regroup, reinforce or mount further attacks on communities in the North East.

He assured that the Armed Forces remained committed to restoring peace and stability across the region.

NAN

Metro

Police Arrest Islamic Cleric With Human Flesh In Oyo

Published

6 hours ago

September 18, 2025

Editor

The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested an Islamic cleric, simply identified as Alfa Bashiru, in possession of suspected human flesh.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed this on Thursday in a post on the verified X handle of the Command.

He said that the Federal Highway Patrol team intercepted a white bus with registration number XA 551 IRG, which the suspect allegedly boarded, at the Toll Gate axis of the Ibadan Expressway at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday.

Oyefeso said that the suspect, when quizzed, claimed to have bought the suspected human flesh in Lagos.

The suspect, he said, had been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, for further investigation.

“The suspected item is undergoing forensic analysis to determine its authenticity and source,” Osifeso said.

In a separate development, operatives of the command during a Search and Stop Operation recovered an abandoned Toyota Camry car with Registration number LSD 957 JX.

Osifeso said that police operatives flagged down the Toyota Camry car during a routine search, and the driver of the car jumped down and took to his heels, abandoning the vehicle.

“The car has been taken into custody by the Command while members of the public with legitimate claims to the vehicle are urged to come forward with verifiable documents or contact the Police Command,” he said.

The police spokesman said that Stop and Search operations were not exaggerated security theatrics, but real and deliberate measures to maintain law and order and as well as ensuring the safety of residents and travellers within Oyo State.

Osifeso said that the command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, appreciated the public for their continued cooperation and understanding.

He assured them of sustained police efforts to combat crime and foster a more secure environment.

NAN