Metro

Navy Deploys Armed Drones In N’Delta To Combat Oil Theft

Published

1 year ago

December 30, 2024

The Nigerian Navy is set to deploy armed fighter drones to intensify efforts against illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

According to the Navy, these advanced drones will penetrate remote areas where illicit activities thrive, which conventional drones have struggled to access.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony of ‘Operation Delta Sanity 2’ at the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder Jetty in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Ogalla explained that Operation Delta Sanity 2 builds upon the initial Operation Delta Sanity launched in January 2024 to curb economic sabotage.

“In January 2024, the Nigerian Navy launched a Special Maritime Security Operation in the Niger Delta codenamed Operation DELTA SANITY.

“The special operation was designed to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other criminal activities to ensure a secure maritime domain for increased economic activities in line with the President, Commander-in-Chief’s agenda for national economic prosperity and poverty eradication in Nigeria,” Ogalla said.

He highlighted the operation’s achievements, including the arrest of numerous vessels and suspects involved in oil theft, as well as the deactivation of several illegal refining sites.

“These successes led to significant improvements in legitimate activities in the maritime environment and increased Nigeria’s daily crude oil production, with several oil companies reporting 100 per cent terminal factor.

“The operation also strengthened partnerships with law enforcement and oil regulating agencies, as well as other stakeholders operating under the framework of the Harmonised Standing Operating Procedure for Arrest, Detention, and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons.

“A whole-of-society approach is required to fight maritime crimes, especially oil theft, for increased oil production in Nigeria,” Ogalla stated.

Ogalla further announced plans to enhance the operation for greater efficiency.

“Notwithstanding the successes recorded, the Nigerian Navy intends to rejig Operation DELTA SANITY to achieve better results.

“Rejigging the operation will involve improved deployment of Maritime Domain Awareness infrastructure, increased aerial surveillance using our newly acquired air assets.

“It will also involve Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, increased intelligence gathering for enhanced situational awareness, and efficient maritime security operations. Armed drones, set to join the service soon, will be pivotal to this effort.

“Some areas are difficult to penetrate, even for our smallest drones. We require armed attack drones to reach and deactivate illegal operations in these locations.

“The operation will incorporate non-kinetic measures to consolidate previous successes and improve collaboration with stakeholders in line with enacted Standard Operating Procedures.

“The goal is to ensure sustained crude oil production exceeding two million barrels per day, in line with the President, Commander-in-Chief’s directives,” he added.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, who was the Special Guest of Honour, expressed concern over attacks on the Trans Niger Pipeline transporting crude to Bonny Export Terminal in Rivers State.

Lokpobiri commended the Navy and other security agencies for their efforts, which have led to increased oil production.

“When I became Minister, we were producing barely a million barrels per day. Today, we are producing 1.8 million barrels per day, and our target is to reach three million barrels by 2025.

“The Trans-Niger Pipeline presents significant challenges as it is a hotspot for crude oil theft and vandalism,” Lokpobiri said.

However, he expressed optimism about the new operation.

“I believe that with this development, we will address the problem, leading to increased oil production and revenue for the government at all levels.

“This will enable President Bola Tinubu’s administration to finance critical infrastructure projects across the country. It is fundamental to our economic growth,” Lokpobiri noted.

He emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration to sustain the fight and assured continued government support for security agencies.

“I see the target of three million barrels next year as achievable. The President has mandated us to make it happen,” Lokpobiri added.

Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, highlighted the operation’s achievements since January.

“Since its inception, a total of 215 suspects have been arrested, and approximately 468 illegal refinery sites were deactivated.

“Furthermore, 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and seven million litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were seized and appropriately handled.

“Additionally, 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks were deactivated, while 26 vessels were arrested,” Akinwande said.

Metro

18-year-old OAU Medical Student Dies While Sleeping

Published

32 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

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”.

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.”

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

Published

37 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

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.

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.

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.

Metro

Kwara Vigilante Men Arrested By Soldiers In Edo State Released

Published

3 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Six Kwara State vigilante men arrested by the Nigerian Army on December 31,2025, along Auchi-Ikpeshi highway in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, have been released after a thorough investigation by the authorities.

Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed the development in a statement in Ilorin on Tuesday.

The statement read in part; “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to confirm that on Wednesday, 31st December, 2025, it received six vigilante members who were earlier arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Army along the Auchi–Ikpeshi Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The Vigilantes, travelling in a vehicle belonging to Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, were formally handed over to the Kwara State Police Command by the Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Brigadier General N.N. Rume, for the purpose of investigation and profiling.

“Following a thorough investigation, it was established that the individuals are legitimate members of a vigilante group operating in collaboration with recognised security agencies in the ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other forms of criminality.

“Consequently, having been exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing, the vigilante members were released to their respective leaders,” the statement added.

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reiterated the command’s commitment to synergy among security agencies and community-based security outfits, while urging all groups to continually operate within the confines of the law.

He assured members of the public that the command remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure the safety and security of all residents of the state.