Metro

Oil Theft: Navy Destroys Arrested Bunkering Vessel

Published

3 years ago

October 10, 2022

Editor

Officers of the Nigerian Navy in Delta State on Monday destroyed an illegal oil bunkering vessel arrested with stolen crude oil aboard Niger Delta creeks.

It was gathered that operatives of the newly-contracted private oil pipeline surveillance team, Tantita Security Services, effected the vessel’s arrest alongside its seven-member crew, on October 6, 2022, on the creeks of Escravos, whilst crude oil was being loaded illegally into the ship.

About 600 to 650 cubic metres of illegally lifted crude oil in five compartments was said to be on board the vessel with registration number L85 B9.50 as at the time it was arrested.

The Nigerian Navy personnel set the ill-fated vessel on fire on Warri River at about 3 o’clock on Monday afternoon following confession of the Captain of the ship, Temple Manasseh, that the vessel was actually crude-laden.

Manasseh, in his confession, stated that operatives of Tantita Security Services actually arrested him and his crew members.

He, however, alleged that his vessel was hijacked by some gunmen who diverted it on the creeks and forcefully loaded crude oil into it.

He said, “I was arrested in Escravos by Tompolo boys but the alleged stolen crude oil was not loaded by me. My vessel was hijacked by some boys who forced the loaded crude into my ship. I don’t know the hijackers at all. But when Tompolo security operatives stormed the scene, they all ran away and abandoned their loading operation which had lasted about two and a half hours.”

Although the Nigerian Navy officials who destroyed the illicit oil vessel would not talk to journalists on the incident, the Marine Intelligence Consultant for Tantita Security Services, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, affirmed that the arrest was as a result of intelligence gathering, explaining that the security men “monitored the space via satellite.”

Captain Enisuoh stated that records showed that the Dutch vessel sold to a Nigerian had been variously “used for moving crude oil illegally for years,” adding that the arrested vessel had scheduled to take the stolen crude to Tema in Ghana.

He expressed delight that “the operation of Tantita Security Services in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe, which is a government and private sector initiative, has yielded positive result leading to the arrest.”

Enisuoh further told journalists that, “Tantita actually has intelligence on five vessels. It was the only one (the destroyed vessel) that came in since the security operations started. And the identities of the vessel’s owners have been established.

“Our advice is that the rest should not come near Nigerian waters because if you think Nigeria is not serious, today’s revelation is their answer.”
PUNCH

Metro

Four Die, Three Injured In Delta Crash

Published

2 days ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Four persons have lost their lives while three others sustained injuries following a road accident that occurred at the Second Niger bridge in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

According to The PUNCH, the victims were rushed to St. Rebecca’s hospital on Monday.

Eyewitnesses said that the accident involved a truck and two other vehicles along the Second Niger Bridge.

“We saw a truck carrying cement and was at it speed trying to navigate through the bridge but couldn’t control it and it eventually fell.

“The truck crushed two other vehicles and many people died, others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to St Rebecca’s hospital along Nnebisi road,” an eyewitness narrated

Confirming the crash, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp, Delta State Command, Frederick Ogidan, blamed the truck driver for being overly speedy.

Ogidan said, “They were trapped in the vehicle because the vehicle broke down, so our toll truck was there to rescue them.

“Four persons confirmed dead, the vehicle involved is not Dangote but a Bua truck that carried cement.

“It’s unfortunate that a crash will happen on that very good road, it shows that the driver was probably over speedy and lost control.”

Ogidan called on drivers to be more careful, especially during the ‘Ember months’.

He also urged them to obey simple traffic rules.

Metro

Youths Uncover Man Chained By Father For Five Years In Anambra

Published

3 days ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

There was panic in Igboukwu community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, when members of the community discovered a young man who was chained and locked up for about five years by his father.

According to eyewitnesses near the scene, the man in his mid-20s, identified as Chogbo, popularly called “Agudo,” believed to have travelled to Europe, was found chained and locked up in a hut since 2021 after a search by some youths of the community on Saturday.

One of the eyewitnesses, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “We were passing by near the hut yesterday (Saturday), when we started hearing some strange sounds coming out from the direction of the hut.

“A search was conducted, and when we got there, we found our brother with both hands and legs tied in chains.

“On interrogation, he told us that he had been chained and locked up in that place since 2021. We ordered for the keys to open the chains, and when they brought them, the keys could not open anymore because they have become rusted. We had to forcefully break the keys.

“The victim has been rescued and is receiving necessary medical care. The father told us he travelled to Europe, not knowing that our brother was locked up in a hut for five years without taking his bath. This is barbaric.”

A video currently circulating on social media also corroborates the claims. The viral video showed when the victim was discovered in a hut and being interrogated by the angry youths.

Confirming the development in a press statement on Sunday, the Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the victim has been rescued and is receiving necessary medical attention at the hospital.

Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has commended the youths of the community for the proactive role they played in uncovering the incident, describing their action as a clear example of community partnership in policing.

The statement read in part, “Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has directed Police operatives to immediately investigate a disturbing report circulating in the media regarding a young man identified as Chogbo (popularly known as Agudo) from Igboukwu, who was allegedly kept in chains for five years by his father with claims that he had travelled abroad.

“Preliminary inquiries are ongoing to establish the facts, safeguard the victim’s well-being, and the Command assures that where culpability is established, those responsible will be held accountable in accordance with the law.

“Meanwhile, the victim has been rescued and is receiving necessary care.

“The Command commends the youths of the community for the proactive role they played in uncovering the incident, describing their action as a clear example of community partnership in policing.

“Further development shall be communicated, please.”

Metro

UNIZIK Suspends Doctors, Nurses, Security Personnel Over 100-level Student’s Death

Published

3 days ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The authorities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, have suspended doctors, nurses and the security personnel on duty at the university’s medical centre following the death of a 100-level Law student of the institution, Miss Isabella Ajana.

The suspension was communicated to them in a statement signed by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi and made available to journalists on Sunday.

Recall that Isabella, reportedly died on July 8, after being denied urgent access to her insulin medication due to an alleged demand for payment by her hostel manager.

The deceased, who was diabetic and a resident of Elmada Hostel, was said to have suffered a medical crisis after she and her roommates lost their room key, which contained her life-saving insulin.

In a desperate attempt to retrieve her medication, the students approached the hostel mistress, identified as “Madam Bright”, and requested the spare key.

However, according to multiple student accounts, “Madam Bright” allegedly refused to release the key unless the three roommates paid ₦120,000 — ₦40,000 each — in line with a purported hostel policy.

Despite explaining the urgency of Isabella’s health condition and their inability to raise the money immediately, their pleas were reportedly ignored.

Her condition quickly worsened, and she was rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

The development triggered a series of reactions, public condemnation and online buzz that compelled the University authorities to constitute a committee to investigate the incident and the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.

The Committee, chaired by Prof. Mike Oddih, was mandated to thoroughly conduct their investigations and submit its report within one week.

However, giving an update on the incident about six weeks after, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, in the statement released on Sunday, announced the immediate suspension of the doctors, nurses, and security personnel on duty at the University’s Medical Centre on the day Isabella died.

Arinze-Umobi said the suspension will last for three months in the first instance, pending the conclusion and the outcome of the ongoing investigations.

The Vice-Chancellor further directed the Management of Elmada Hostel, which is a jointly owned, but privately-managed facility located within the university premises where the Isabella resided, to immediately sack the Supervisor on duty at the time of the incident.

The statement read in part, “Following the submission of the investigation committee’s report into the unfortunate death of Miss Isabella Chioma Ajana, a 100-level student in the Faculty of Law, I have taken decisive action to address the matter.

“Arising from the report of the panel, I hereby suspend the doctors, nurses and the security personnel on duty at the University’s Medical Centre on the day the student was rushed there, for three-months in the first instance, during which all investigations would have been completed.

“The University demands the management of Elmada Hostel which is jointly owned, but privately managed, as a matter of urgency, to sack the Supervisar on duty who was in custody of the spare key and could not return it after repented calls on her.

“UNIZIK will re-evaluate relationship with the Elmada hostel, demanding International best practices in students accommodation facilities.

“I wish to assure the University Community and general public that we are committed to upholding the highest standard of care and safety for our students in line with my vision, ‘feeling the pulse of the students, staff and finding solutions’.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and assure them that we will do everything possible to prevent such incidents in the future.”
(PUNCH)