News

Minister Meets Bayelsa Monarchs In moves To Tackle Oil Theft

Published

2 years ago

January 6, 2024

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has visited traditional rulers in Bayelsa State to seek their support to end pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Lokpobiri said the move aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to foster cooperation with key stakeholders in the oil industry and address the persistent challenges of pipeline vandalism, crude theft and security uncertainties in oil communities across the region.

The Federal Government and oil sector operators have repeatedly blamed the drop in Nigeria’s oil earnings on the incessant cases of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.

On December 25, 2023, The PUNCH exclusively reported that Nigeria lost about N289.6bn crude oil revenue in November 2023, following a plunge in the country’s oil output in that month, when compared to what it pumped in the preceding month of October.

The report stated that Nigeria produced 41,867,775 million barrels of crude (excluding condensates) in October, but this plunged to 37,508,971 barrels in November, representing a decline of 4,358,804.

The drop in output was attributed to oil theft, and in a bid to halt the menace, Lokpobiri, according to a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by his Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, had to visit various traditional rulers.

The statement read in part, “One of these meetings took place with the Pere of Ekpetiama clan and Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council of Bayelsa State, King Bubaraye Dakolo.

“In this engaging encounter, the minister stressed the imperative of collective efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism and oil theft. He called on His Royal Majesty to utilise his esteemed position to rally other traditional rulers in the state for a unified front in addressing these challenges.

“Recognising the crucial role traditional leaders play in the socio-economic fabric of the region, the minister emphasised the need for a joint commitment to securing the oil infrastructure.”

Lokpobiri extended his courtesy visit to the King of Nembe Kingdom and former Minister of Petroleum, Edmund Daukoru.

“The discussions during this meeting were focused on the importance of collaborative action in ensuring the security of pipelines and combating illicit activities in the oil sector,” the statement added.

In another engagement, Lokpobiri met with the Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom, Boloye Embareba.

The discussions with Embareba revolved around the need for collaboration between the government and traditional rulers to effectively address security challenges and enhance crude production.

This ministry stated that the visits underscored the Federal Government’s objective of increasing crude production by actively engaging with traditional rulers to build a strong and enduring alliance with local leaders and fostering a secure environment conducive to sustainable growth in the oil industry.

News

WAFCON Final: Super Falcons Coach, Madugu Gives Reason For Dropping Ex-Liverpool Forward Babajide

Published

54 minutes ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

Super Falcons coach, Justin Madugu, has given reasons for dropping former Liverpool attacker, Rinsola Babajide, to the bench.

The coach defended his team selection ahead of the Super Falcons’ final clash with Morocco in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Babajide, who impressed in her first outing, scoring one and providing an assist in Nigeria’s 3-0 win against Tunisia, has seen limited action since the group stage.

Her last game in the tournament was a brief cameo of just 13 minutes against Algeria.

However, addressing the press ahead of Saturday’s final, the coach explained his decision, insisting it should not be about a particular player.

“It’s a team thing, not about an individual; it’s about the team,” he said.

“The fact that she has not been on the field of play does not mean she has not been playing well.

“She has been instrumental in motivating the players, trying to get them to understand what is at stake.

“She has been fully supportive of everything that we do, and we are making our choices based on what we see and intend to do. She could have a role to play tomorrow.”

Madugu has preferred to use Folashade Ijamilusi, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Esther Okoronkwo upfront.

News

FULL LIST: 18 Nigerian States US Govt Warned Citizens Against Visiting

Published

5 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

The United States government has warned its citizens against travelling to 18 Nigerian states, citing the high risk of terrorism, kidnapping, armed gangs, violent crime, and unreliable healthcare services.

In a statement issued by the US Mission in Nigeria and published on its website, the US advised Americans to reconsider any planned trip to Nigeria, noting that all parts of the country carry “significant security risks.”

“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some places in Nigeria have an increased risk. Overall, all locations carry significant security risks. Read the entire Travel Advisory,” the statement read.

The advisory placed 18 states on Level 4 – the highest threat level – and urged Americans not to travel to those states for any reason.

States Americans are advised not to travel to:

Due to terrorism and kidnapping:

Borno
Yobe
Kogi
Northern Adamawa

Due to kidnapping:

5. Bauchi

6. Gombe

7. Kaduna

8. Kano

9. Katsina

10. Sokoto

11. Zamfara

Due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs:

12. Abia

13. Anambra

14. Bayelsa

15. Delta

16. Enugu

17. Imo

18. Rivers (except Port Harcourt)

The advisory also warned of the poor state of Nigeria’s healthcare system. “U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States,” it said, noting a shortage of common medicines, unreliable emergency services, and the risk of counterfeit drugs.

Travellers were advised to bring all necessary medications, update their vaccinations, purchase medical evacuation insurance, and prepare backup plans in case of emergency.

The advisory, however, urged those who choose to travel to stay alert, carry proper identification, avoid large gatherings, and enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates and enable their location to be tracked in emergencies.

News

Court Remands Tiktoker Who Claimed President Tinubu Died

Published

5 hours ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

A Chief magistrate court, on Friday, in Abuja, remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre, a social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, who posted online videos purporting that President Bola Tinubu died as a result of a serous illness.

Department of State Services (DSS) operatives arrested Isma’il days after he posted the fake videos on the TikTok handle @bola_asiwaju.

Count one of the two-count charge, titled “Publication of false news with intent to cause offence against public peace, ” read: “That you, Ghali Ismail, Male, twenty-nine (29) years of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th Day of July, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified Tiktok handle (“bola-asiwaju”) wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to cause public alarm and disturb public peace.

“You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count two, “Inciting Disaffection to the Government,” read: “That you, Ghali Ismail, Male, twenty-nine (29) years, of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th Day of July, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified Tiktok handle (“bola-asiwaju”) wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to bring contempt or incite feelings of disaffection against the person of the President. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 416 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

After taking arguments by both counsels to the DSS and that of the defendant, whose application for bail was denied, the presiding judge, Ekpeyong Iyang, ordered Ismail to be remanded in Keffi Correctional Centre. The matter was then adjourned till August 19.