Metro
JTF Destroys Stolen Crude Oil In Ondo

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.”
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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.
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“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.
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“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
JUST IN: Court Grants Malami, Wife, Son N500m Bail Each

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has admitted former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to bail in the sum of N500 million and two sureties in like sum pending his trial.
Malami, his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Hajia Asabe Bashir, who is an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering to the tune of N8.7 billion.
Ruling on the bail application filed by Malami and his codefendants on Wednesday, Justice Nwite also ordered that the two sureties must have landed properties in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarimpa districts of Abuja.
He ruled that the documents of the properties belonging to the sureties are to be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, while the sureties are also to depose to an affidavit of means.
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Malami is to deposit his travelling documents with the Court and must not travel out of the country without the express permission of the court.
Besides, the former AGF and his sureties were also ordered to deposit their two recent passport photograph with the court.
Meanwhile, Malami has been ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
After delivering ruling on the bail application, the trial judge, Justice Nwite, fixed February 17, 2026, for the commencement of the trial in the matter.
READ ALSO: EFCC Releases Malami After Interrogation, Gives Fresh Appointment For More Questioning
The same bail conditions were extended to Malami’s son, Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Hajia Asabe Bashir, who is an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.
The EFCC had slammed a 16-count charge against Malami, his son, and his wife.
In count one of the charge, the anti-graft agency alleged that, “You Abubakar Malami, SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, between July 2022 and June 2025, in Abuja, procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of the sum of N1,014,848,500.00 in a Sterling Bank Plc account, when they reasonably ought to have known that the sum constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act”.
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Count five reads: “That you Abubakar Malami, SAN, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, sometime in September 2024, in Abuja, conspired to disguise the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N1,049,173,926.13 paid through the Union Bank Plc account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, between November 2022 and September 2024, contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Sections 18(2)(a) and 18(3) of the same Act”.
Count six reads: “That you Abubakar Malami, SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, between November 2022 and October 2025, indirectly took control of the aggregate sum of N1,362,887,872.96 paid through the Union Bank Plc savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, when they reasonably ought to have known that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022”.
Metro
18-year-old OAU Medical Student Dies While Sleeping

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has announced the death of an 18-year-old part-three medical student of the institution.
The student, identified as Timilehin Adetoye Toromade, was a student of the College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery.
According to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, Timilehin with matriculation number CLI/2022/133, reportedly died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
The statement revealed that the “university received the news of the student’s passing with shock and deep sorrow”.
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It also described the incident as devastating to the academic community.
According to the statement, “preliminary information suggested that the student might have died shortly after 2 a.m., as one of his roommates reportedly said the deceased opened the door for another student around that time.
“The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed condolences on behalf of the Visitor, the University Council, Management, Senate, staff and students”.
The VC, Professor Bamire, described the incident as a painful loss, saying, “The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose, and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture.”
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He added that the university community was united in grief over the passing of a student who had embraced the rigours of medical training with the aim of serving humanity.
According to him, the death had left a void among the student’s peers and all those who knew him within the university community.
The university management stated that it was working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, in line with established medical and administrative procedures.
It also disclosed that appropriate support measures were being put in place to assist students and members of the university community who may have been emotionally affected by the loss.
The management called on students, staff, alumni and friends of the institution to remain calm and compassionate, while extending sympathy to the family of the deceased.
Metro
Panic As BRT Bus Catches Fire On Third Mainland Bridge

Panic gripped motorists on Tuesday afternoon following a fire outbreak involving a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, vehicle on the Third Mainland Bridge, leading to massive traffic disruption.
The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. near the Adekunle section of the bridge, heading towards Iyana Oworo.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, confirmed the development in a statement posted on its official X handle.
According to the agency, the high-capacity BRT bus suddenly went up in flames, prompting anxiety among road users in the area.
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Footage shared online showed the bus completely consumed by fire, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky as motorists slowed down or sought alternative routes to avoid the scene.
While no injuries or loss of life were reported, the incident caused a heavy traffic buildup extending from Adekunle towards Iyana Oworo.
“A high-capacity bus is currently on fire on the Third Mainland Bridge by Adekunle, inward Iyana Oworo, and this is impacting traffic flow,” LASTMA stated.
“Our personnel are on ground managing traffic, while efforts are ongoing to extinguish the fire,” the agency added.
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Subsequent updates indicated that officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene and worked to control the blaze to prevent further damage.
Traffic officers were also deployed to redirect vehicles away from the affected area as emergency responders tackled the situation.
As of the time this report was filed, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined.
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