Metro

Military Aircraft Bomb Illegal Refining Sites In Rivers

Published

1 year ago

April 14, 2024

Editor

Photo: file copy

The air component of Operation Delta Safe has destroyed seven illegal refining sites at different locations in Rivers State.

Equally, a total of four boats loaded with illegally refined products heading southwards were bombed by military aircraft deployed for the operations.

The Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Sunday stated that the operations were conducted on April 12 and 13, 2024, in Idama, Ogbomkiri, Arugbana, Ivy Island, and Samkiri communities in River State.

The PUNCH reports that a strike conducted by the air component of Operation Delta Safe in December 2023 destroyed six illegal oil refining sites at Opu Arugbana in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.

Also in March 2024, two illegal oil refining sites were destroyed at Krakama and Temakiri in the Degema local government area of Rivers State.

Gabkwet said, “Air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe have continued to record tremendous successes against the activities of economic saboteurs operating in the Niger Delta Region. Specifically, air strikes carried out from April 12 to 13, 2024 at some locations in Rivers State have significantly diminished the capabilities of oil thieves to continue in their nefarious efforts at bursting and siphoning crude oil.

“In the Idama community, for instance, an active illegal refining site was observed and engaged. Also, armed reconnaissance undertaken over Yellow Island and Cawthorne Channel revealed four boats loaded with illegally refined products heading southwards. The boats were subsequently engaged and destroyed.”

Gabkwet noted that at Arugbana, oil thieves were attempting to establish an illegal refining site, adding that upon spotting the approaching aircraft, they quickly fled for safety.

He said, “Similar reconnaissance missions were conducted over Ogbomkiri, Arugbana, Ivy Island, and Samkiri. While over Ogbomkiri, an active illegal refining site was identified and engaged accordingly.

“At Arugbana, oil thieves were seen trying to set up an illegal refining site and, on sighting the approaching aircraft, scampered for safety. Several illegal sites were also observed at SAMKIRI and were engaged and destroyed.

“In all, about 7 illegal refining sites and 4 boats were discovered and destroyed within the two-day operation. ”

Related Topics:illegal refineries Rivers

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Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.