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Navy Recovers Arms, Destroys Boat Laden With Stolen Crude

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The Nigerian Navy, has deactivated a boat laden with suspected stolen crude oil products in Bayelsa.

The Commander of the NNS SOROH, Commodore Olushina Ojebode, stated this during a news conference in Yenagoa.

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Ojebode said troops of the Navy Ship SOROH (NNS SOROH) recovered two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

He added that troops of the NNS SOROH during a water patrol at Gbaram community of Agbadam-Foropa made contact with six armed men in a speedboat, who attempted to attack troops.

READ ALSO: Destruction Of Vessel With Stolen Crude Oil Barbaric, Unacceptable, Says CSO

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The troops, he said, overpowered the armed men in the fire fight that ensued, thus making them to flee.

He listed items recovered from the armed men to include two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one small techno phone, amongst others.

The Commander said the troops during an anti crude oil theft operation at Southern Ijaw discovered a wooden boat laden with illegal crude oil products.

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The boat, he said, had been deactivated in line with extant regulations and standard operating procedure.

READ ALSO: Military Blows Up Vessel Impounded With Illegal Crude In Delta

He said that with successful operations at Tebidaba, Furopa and Ezetu, combing the Bayelsa maritime environment for oil thieves, operators of illegal refineries and sundry-crimes was non-negotiable.

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Ojebode assured of the Navy commitment to provide security within Nigeria’s maritime domain, pursuant to the mandate of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukuwu Ogalla.

He warned those involved in illegal activities to have a rethink and seek legitimate source of livelihood or face the full weight of the force.

While commending the troops for their gallantry and professionalism, Ojebode urged residents of the state to provide credible information on the activities of criminal elements to security agencies.

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The Commander later took a five-minute boat ride through the Epie Creek to Famgbe in Yenagoa, where the troops destroyed the local boat used for oil theft.

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16 Escape Death In Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway Crash

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Sixteen people narrowly escaped death on Monday night in a crash involving a Camry car, a Suzuki bus, and a tricycle at Iron Market along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Ota Divisional Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Mr Salau Hammed, confirmed the incident to News Agency Nigeria on Tuesday, noting that the crash occurred around 8:20 p.m.

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He said the accident involved a Camry car, a tricycle, both with no registration, and a Suzuki bus marked KRD 246 YK.

READ ALSO: Ten Feared, Others Injured In Oyo Road Accident

He said that a total of 16 persons were involved in the accident; however, three persons, comprising two males and a female, sustained various degrees of injuries.

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Hammed explained that the Camry lost control due to speeding and rammed into two other vehicles.

Those who sustained injuries were immediately taken to Adetutu Hospital, Ilepa area for treatment,” he said.

READ ALSO:Seven Die, 23 Rescued In Greece Boat Accident

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Hammed advised motorists against speeding to prevent avoidable crashes.

He said that the vehicles had been removed from the road to ease free flow of traffic.

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High-tension Wire Electrocutes PoS Operator In Anambra

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A Point of Sales male operator in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been electrocuted by a fallen high tension line.

It was gathered that the victim got electrocuted after a high-tension wire was cut and fell on him, while standing in front of his shop located under the high-tension wire.

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According to eyewitnesses near the scene, the incident happened over the weekend, but the lifeless body of the victim, which was still lying on the ground, with the high-tension wire still lying on his body as of Tuesday, was still oozing out smoke, creating panic in the area.

This was corroborated by a video from the scene of the incident, currently trending on social media, showing the victim lying lifeless on the ground, with the high-tension wire still lying on his body, still oozing out smoke and sparks.

READ ALSO:LASU Shuts Hostels, Suspends Exams Amid Staff Union Strike

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Although the full identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained, sources from the area said he recently got married.

The Managing Director/CEO of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Ossy Onuko, who reacted to the development on Tuesday, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that such misfortunes are part of the reasons the agency carries out sensitisation and enforcement against building or trading under the high-tension wire.

Onuko also noted that during the sensitisation, people often criticise them for their enforcement against trading under the high tension wire.

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He said, “This is something we have been campaigning against from time to time, that it is very dangerous to build or trade under the high-tension wire.

READ ALSO:FEC Approves N145bn Electrification Projects For UNILAG, UI, Six Others

It is part of the reasons why most times, on social media, we are vilified as being inhumane for trying to let people know that they cannot either build or trade under the tension.

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“It is something very pathetic. It’s a suicide mission to have your shop or your kiosk or your roadside activities under the tension. The avoidable loss of life is unfortunate. It is sadly one example of many negative outcomes and resultant effects of such an act of negligence to safety.

“That should serve as a deterrent to others who still indulge in such prohibited acts. This should also make the public understand that the sensitisation and enforcement being carried out by ACTDA against such things are not to witch-hunt them, but for their safety.

“Unfortunately, we have lost a soul. I pray for the peaceful repose of this soul. But also, it should serve as a deterrent to others, that they shouldn’t just fold their arms and wait for us, when we come, they run away and return when we leave.

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“People should see it as a personal responsibility to be safety conscious, and also enlighten others, not just themselves. No precious life is worth being lost to such a careless and avoidable death. A stitch in time saves nine.”
(PUNCH)

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Cybercrime: Court Fines 21 Foreign Nationals N1m Each, Orders Deportation

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday convicted 21 foreign nationals over high-level cybercrime, fining each of them N1 million.

The trial judge, Justice Ekerete Akpan, while delivering judgment on the plea bargain reached between the convicts and the Nigeria Police Force, ordered the immediate departure of all 21 of them from Nigeria within six working days.

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The convicts are among 109 foreign nationals being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police over charges of cybercrime, money laundering, and actions deemed threats to Nigeria’s national security in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024.

The 21 convicted individuals are Yang Yang (33), Li Xiao Fen (41), Zheng Peng Zhan (28), Shu Huan (20), Jupanpan (25), Feng Guo (29), Zhao Yifan (31), Mahunan (26), Wang Yi Bo (24), Chen Yan Qi (26), and Shi Hao Jie (28), all represented in court by Linda Ikpeazu.

READ ALSO:Internet Fraud: Chinese Nationals Lose $222,729 In Digital Assets To FG

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Others are Xiejang Bing (29), Zheng Jian Feng, Zheng Peng Fei (32), Wei Tang (32), Wang Hao (27), Cheng Xing (30), Yang Xu Gung (27), Zhu Jiu Hui (28), Xhou Kia Lai (28), and Tue Xue Fie (21, female), represented by Julius Mba.

The 109 defendants, from countries including China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, were arraigned in 2024 on a six-count charge.

They initially pleaded not guilty and were remanded in Kuje and Keffi Correctional Centres, respectively, pending fulfilment of stringent bail conditions set on November 29, 2024, which included N1 billion bail and five sureties with N200 million worth of landed property each.

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The Police alleged that the accused operated out of Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja, where they were running a “fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform.”

READ ALSO:14 Chinese Jailed For Cyberterrorism, Internet Fraud In Lagos

One of the counts read that they “aided, abetted, conspired among themselves to commit an offence, to wit; cybercrime,” contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024).

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They were also charged with unlawful access to a computer network and input of inauthentic data, punishable under Section 13 of the Cybercrimes Act.

They were also accused of laundering proceeds generated from illegal platforms, including 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top, in violation of Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The final charge accused the defendants of overstaying their 30-day business permits — an offence punishable under Section 44 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act, 2015.

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READ ALSO:PICTORIAL: Lagos Court Jails Nine Chinese For Cybercrimes

Justice Akpan, in his judgment, held that the sentence was based on the agreed terms of the bargain.

After the defendants entered the plea bargain agreement without being forced, I hereby convict you as charged.

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“The sentence shall be based on the parties’ agreement of N1 million fine each, against each of the defendants which shall be paid before their release. They shall depart the country within six working days,” he said.

When asked if the fines had been paid, defence counsel, Linda Ikpeazu, told the court, “My lord, we are going to pay in the next five minutes.”

READ ALSO:Court Remands 13 Chinese Nationals Over Cybercrime, Security Breach

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Justice Akpan also ordered that all gadgets used in the commission of the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Lead prosecuting counsel, A.A. Egwu, appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Ikpeazu and Mba represented different subsets of the 21 convicts.

The matter was adjourned to October 22nd and 23rd for the continuation of the trial of the remaining 88 defendants.
(PUNCH)

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