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NSCDC Parades 10 Oil Thieves, Impounds Nine Cars In Rivers

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Seizes wooden boat, 28,225 litres of diesel

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it took delivery of 10 suspects allegedly involved in illegal oil bunkering and vandalism in Kryo Community near Alakiri waterways in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Corps said of the ten suspects, five were arrested by the 29 Battalion Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt with 44 metal pipes, four cylinders, and exhibits and handed over to the Rivers State Command of the NSCDC Command in Port Harcourt

The other five suspects were arrested for alleged illegal bunkering by soldiers of the 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, and handed over to the NSCDC for further investigation.

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The NSCDC Commandant, Rivers State Command, Basil Igwebueze disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen at the Command’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Lost N2.3tn Revenue To Oil Theft in 12 Months — IOC

Igwebueze, also disclosed that NSCDC operatives on routine patrol impounded nine vehicles abandoned by suspects who are on the Command’s trail along the Trans-Amadi axis of Port Harcourt.

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He stated, “The following five suspects: Aniebiet Pascal, 22, Nnadi Ogbonna, 23, Ifeayin Delight, 25, Sunday Benjamin, 22, and Okechukwu Finbar, 20, were apprehended by 29 Battalion Nigerian Army port Harcourt with 44 metal pipes, four Cylinders containing Nitrogen Gas, one wooden boat with 25 horsepower engine along Kryo Community near Alakiri waterways in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“In another development, five other suspects were also arrested with three Motorcycles, two Wheelbarrows filled with Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel), and a 1,000-meter large Industrial Pumping Hose.

“They were arrested and handed over to NSCDC Rivers State Command by 6 military intelligence Headquarters, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

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READ ALSO: Ondo: NSCDC Arrests Pastor Over Alleged N1.6m Visa Scam

Continuing, Igwebueze said, “The Antivandal Unit of the Command while on routine patrol at Mother Cat roundabout, Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt also impounded the following vehicles being abandoned by suspects who are currently being trailed by our undercover personnel.”

He listed the vehicles as ‘a Gold Colour Toyota Camry with number plate Rivers AJ 770 DBU laden with illegally refined AGO concealed in cellophane bags, a White and Black Futon Bus Registered as EBONYI XA 637BKL laden with 8 plastic drums of illegally refined AGO. ‘

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The State NSCDC boss also said while on routine patrol its Antivandal Unit further impounded seven cars, including, a Gold Colour Toyota Avalon Camry with registration number ABIA 573 RA, a light Green Toyota Camry LAGOS LND 926 AP.

Others, Igwebueze, disclosed are, ‘a Black Toyota Avalon Camry LAGOS EKY 487 DA, an Ash colour Toyota Corolla with number plate RIVERS GGU 240 AA, a Toyota Avalon Camry LAGOS APP 330 DE, a Navy Blue Toyota Avalon Camry Car with registration number AKWA IBOM KET 62 AV, a Navy Blue Toyota Avalon Camry Car Lagos AKD 938 AV.

READ ALSO: UK Establishes Visa Centre In Enugu, Govt Reacts

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According to him, all the cars were laden with illegally refined Diesel concealed in cellophane bags.

He added, “We also impounded 15 drums of AGO, 26 concealed sacks filled with AGO, and 11 Kegs (25 litres each) of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).”

While noting that a thorough investigation has commenced, the State NSCDC helmsman said the suspects would be charged to Court, while the products and means of conveyance would be forfeited and proceeds remitted into the federal government coffer.

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The PUNCH reports that Igwebueze warned those he described as ‘unrepentant’ illegal oil thieves to turn over a new leaf or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.

Igwebueze reiterated the corps’ willingness to collaborate with sister security agencies, stressing that the NSCDC would not rest on its laurels in safeguarding all critical national assets and Infrastructures in the state.

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UNIMAID, Federal Polytechnic Matriculate 82 Degree Students

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University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in affiliation with the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi has matriculated 82 students into the degree programmes across five courses.

Speaking during the matriculation ceremony at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi on Tuesday, Professor Muhammad Laminu Mele, the Vice chancellor, University of Maiduguri, charged the matriculated students to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the two institutions to enable them achieve the set objectives.

The VC, who was represented by Professor Muhammad Ahmad Waziri, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Services, warned that any student or group of students trying to breach the peace of the two institutions would face the full wrath of the law.

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READ ALSO:NEDC Hands Over Mega School To Bauchi Govt

The Don further assured that the University and its affiliated institutions would continue to make easy access to higher quality education to the teeming population across the country.

In a remark, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Sani Usman, said they were affiliated with the university to pursue academic excellence, describing the affiliation as a huge pillar in the education reforms.

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READ ALSO:Bauchi Govt, UNICEF Strengthen Education Platforms To Improve Learning Outcomes

The Rector, who was also represented by Dr. Dalhatu Saidu, the Deputy Rector of the Polymeric, commended the university of Maiduguri for not only improving the UNIMAID’s conducive learning environment but expanding the horizon to different higher institutions of learning across Nigeria.

He therefore advised the newly matriculated students to pursue knowledge, to interact freely with the Polytechnic staff, be vigilant and be a brother’s keeper, adding that this would help to achieve the desired objectives.

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The affiliated courses included BSc Mass Communication, BSc Accountancy, BSc Public Administration, BSc Business Administration and BSc Banking and Finance respectively.

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Trouble Looms As Egbesu Group Drags FG To Court Over Resource Control, Others

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Group known as Supreme Egbesu Assembly (SEA) has dragged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to a Federal High Court, Yenagoa, over failure to create additional 24 Local government councils in Bayelsa State as the need for Ijaw to control natural resources in its territory.

The Originating Summons marked: FHC/YNA/CS/63/2026 was filed on Tuesday April 21, 2026 by the plaintiffs including; Felix Tuodolo, Weri Digifa, Ebi Waribigha, Kabowei Akamade, Rosebella Jackson, Thomas Jacklloyd, Primrose Kpokposei, David Imole and Welman Warri at the Federal High Court Yenagoa.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the National Assembly, the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation.

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In the court documents, the Egbesu Assembly premised their action on the alleged failure of the federal government particularly the National Assembly to deliberate, approve and amend the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

This, according to them, is to allow for resource control as well as the creation of additional LGAs in the state to fulfil the requirements in line with the Constitution.

READ ALSO:FG Bans Unauthorized Use Of Ambassador Title

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The group is therefore seeking, among others, the amendment of the constitution by the National Assembly to allow for the right to resource control.

The Supreme Egbesu Assembly described the suit action as a promise kept.

Mranwh, In a press statement announcing the institution of the lawsuit on Tuesday, the Egbesu Assembly recalled that, on 12th February 2026, it wrote to both the Federal Government and the National Assembly wherein its gave a 21-Day ultimatum for the duo to respond to the age-long demands for resource control and creation of additional LGAs or face a lawsuit.

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The statement partly reads: “Recall that on 12th February 2026, we did inform you that we have written to the National Assembly and the federal government on the need for the creation of an additional 24 Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State as well as the control of our God-given natural resources in Ijaw territory.

“We promised that if the National Assembly and or federal government did not respond to these age-long demands, we were going to seek legal actions to address our demands.

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We gave a time frame of twenty-one days for them to respond to us—we got no response!

“Today the Supreme Egbesu Assembly (SEA) has kept to its promise.

“We instituted an action at the Federal High Court Yenagoa against the National Assembly and the Federal Government after the expiration of the 21 days. Today we were in court for the first hearing of both cases.”

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According to the group, creation of additional local government areas for Bayelsa is as old as the creation of the State itself.

The SEA maintained that “there is nowhere in any democracy where a state is limited to just 8 LGAs: more pathetic is the fact that Bayelsa State is an oil bearing State.

“Bayelsa State presently has twenty four Rural Development Authorities (RDA) which can be easily converted to Local Government areas thereby making the State eligible to participate in the sharing of allocation and the development of their areas for the purpose of justice and equity.

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Gentlemen, we wish to inform you that our suit on Resource Control is a revival of our age long agitation.”

The group further stated that Nigeria can no longer operate a system where contributors to the national coffers are not in charge of their resources.

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The group added that the lawsuit is therefore for the Ijaw people.

The Ijaw Nation must be free from all economic strangulation carried out against them by successive Governments,” they added.

The SEA called on all Ijaws to be steadfast and resolute, and continue to support the process by attending all court sessions, stating that “your solidarity is very vital at this point of time in our history. “

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The group also called on other Ijaw organizations, communities, Niger Delta people, organizations and all people of goodwill “to join in the march to control and manage our despoiled and mismanaged natural resources.”

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BREAKING: Tinubu Sacks Wale Edun, Dangiwa As Ministers

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President Bola Tinubu has approved a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council, removing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, from their cabinet positions.

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, said the development was contained in a memo signed by the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

According to the memo, Taiwo Oyedele has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

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Also appointed is Dr. Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.

READ ALSO:VIDEO: I Took Over Leadership From Myself; The Late Buhari Is Me — Tinubu

The memo directed the outgoing ministers to complete handover processes to their respective successors or supervising officials.

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It stated that all handing over and taking over activities must be concluded on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.

Explaining the decision, Akume said the changes were aimed at improving coordination and strengthening delivery across key sectors of the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume stated.

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READ ALSO:VIDEO: Tinubu Till 2031, City Boy Movement Members Declare At Bayelsa Rally

He added that President Tinubu acted in line with his constitutional powers as provided under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The SGF also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours, noting that the process of cabinet reinvigoration would remain continuous.

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The statement further noted that Taiwo Oyedele was appointed as Minister of State for Finance in March 2026, while Edun was among the ministers appointed on August 16, 2023.

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