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

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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.

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO: Navy Promotes 146 Senior Officers

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.

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“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.

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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.

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READ ALSO: Navy Uncovers Illegal Refinery In Rivers

“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.

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“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.

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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.

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READ ALSO: Court Bars Navy From Encroaching Lekki Communities

“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.

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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.

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“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.

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Metro

Gov Kefas Shuts Down Disputed Mosque In Taraba After Deadly Clash

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Taraba state Governor, Agbu Kefas has ordered the temporary closure of the disputed Jumma’at Mosque in Donga Local Government Area, following a violent clash that claimed two lives and left several others injured.

The governor gave the directive during a peace meeting held over the weekend at the Palace of the Gara Donga. The meeting brought together traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, community leaders, youth groups, and representatives from various Muslim sects.

Governor Kefas, who was away on official duties when the incident occurred, said his administration remains committed to promoting unity, fairness, and peaceful coexistence among all religious groups in the state.

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READ ALSO:16 Inmates Escape In Keffi Jail Break

He explained that the Traditional Council’s Mosque would remain closed temporarily until the government constructs three new mosques, one each for the Izala-Jos, Izala-Kaduna, and Darika sects.

“This is to ensure fairness, peace, and freedom of worship for all groups. And let me assure you that our Christian brothers under CAN will not be forgotten in the spirit of balance and mutual respect,” Kefas stated.

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The governor expressed concern over the divisions that had emerged within the Muslim community in Donga and urged all parties to forgive one another and work toward peace.

READ ALSO:Bandits Abduct Kebbi Deputy Speaker

No faith teaches hatred. Religion is meant to draw us closer to God and to one another, not to divide us. As your governor, I am committed to justice, and justice is what gives peace its foundation,” he said.

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He emphasized that his administration would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the peace and development of the state, adding that peace is essential for progress and unity.

Speaking on behalf of the Muslim Council, Malam Musa praised the governor for what he described as a wise and fair decision.

 

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PHOTOS: NDLEA Dismantles Colos Factory In Lagos, Seizes 16kg Synthetic Cannabis

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a clandestine laboratory producing synthetic cannabis, known as Colos, in a residential building at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

According to the agency, the raid followed months of surveillance and intelligence gathering on the dometic production of synthetic drugs previously imported into the country. The operation led to the arrest of 30-year-old Stephen Kelechi Imoh, identified as the owner of the laboratory.

Recovered items included 16.2 kilogrammes of freshly produced Colos, 1.7 kilogrammes of ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol, 4.5 kilogrammes of potassium carbonate, and 91 litres of dibromobutane.

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In a separate operation, NDLEA officers raided a suspected drug dealer’s hideout in Mushin, Lagos, where 16 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud and bottles of Colorado were seized. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Afeez Salisu, was arrested at the scene.

READ ALSO:‘Bribe-for-Bills’ Scandal: SERAP Drags Akpabio, Abbas To Court For Failure To Probe

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The agency also apprehended a 20-year-old music artist, Godspower George Osahenrumwen, known by his stage name Steady Boy, after he attempted to collect a shipment of cannabis hidden inside three cartons of bathtubs imported from New York. The consignment, weighing 77.2 kilogrammes, had arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a DHL flight. NDLEA said the artist was acting on behalf of a syndicate led by his manager, Zion Osazee Omigie, who remains at large.

Similar operations were conducted across several states. In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives intercepted over 84,000 capsules of tramadol and arrested a suspect linked to the consignment. Separate arrests were made in Bauchi, Kwara, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, and Taraba States, with seizures including skunk, tramadol, and methamphetamine.

In Ogun State, three suspects were arrested in Abeokuta with 1,779 kilogrammes of skunk after being tracked from the Benin Republic. In Edo, officers intercepted two vehicles conveying 1,455 kilogrammes of the same substance.

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READ ALSO:Bandits Abduct Kebbi Deputy Speaker

In Ondo, nearly three tonnes of skunk were recovered from locations in Ogbese and Akure, while another operation in Badagry, Lagos, led to the seizure of 76.5 litres of skuchies, a cocktail of drugs mixed with blackcurrant.

NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers for their coordination and commitment. He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s resolve to “dismantle every identified drug syndicate” and ensure that offenders forfeit their assets to the Federal Government.

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The agency added that its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign continued across the country, with recent outreach programmes held in schools, religious institutions, and communities to discourage substance abuse among young Nigerians.

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NDLEA Arrests 3 Suspects With 1,779kg Of Cannabis In Ogun

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun State Command, has arrested three suspects for allegedly transporting a large consignment of cannabis sativa weighing 1,779 kilogrammes from the Imeko axis to Abeokuta, the state capital.

The suspects are Rauf Asogba, 28; Seun Olaniyi, 24; and Ayinla Adeniyi, 50.

The NDLEA spokesperson in Ogun State, ASN Harris Musa, confirmed this to newsmen in Abeokuta in a statement on Sunday.

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Musa said that the three suspects were intercepted through intelligence-based information and operations in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, 2025, while attempting to transport the illicit drugs from the Imeko axis en route Abeokuta.

READ ALSO:Rumours Of Trump’s Ill Health Spread Online Despite Denial

He said that the illicit consignment, concealed in a J5 vehicle, was uncovered following sustained surveillance and tactical manoeuvring by operatives of the Command.

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The anti-narcotic agency’s Public Relations Officer said that the seizure represents one of the Command’s most remarkable operations in recent times, further demonstrating the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and curbing the circulation of illicit substances in the state.

He said, “In the early hours of Saturday, 1st November 2025, operatives of the Command carried out a well-coordinated, intelligence-led operation which resulted in a major interception. Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the operatives arrested three suspects: Rauf Asogba (Male, 28 years); Seun Olaniyi (Male, 24 years); and Ayinla Adeniyi (Male, 50 years).

READ ALSO:NDLEA Files Forfeiture Case Against Lagos Socialite’s Club Over Drug Party

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“The suspects were apprehended while transporting a large consignment (1.77 tonnes = 1,779 kilogrammes) of cannabis sativa from the Imeko axis en route Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital,” he added.

State Commander, CN Tijjani Rabe, commended the officers involved in the operation for the professionalism, courage, and dedication displayed by them in intercepting the vehicle and arresting the suspects.

Rabe reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain the momentum in the ongoing war against drug abuse and illicit trafficking across the state.

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He also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the agency by providing credible and timely information that would aid the NDLEA in achieving its vision of a drug-free Ogun State and, by extension, a drug-free Nigeria.

 

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