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Troops demolish 18 illegal refining sites in Niger Delta

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The Nigerian Army says troops from its 6 division carried out crackdowns on oil theft in the Niger Delta region, dismantling 18 illegal refining sites and arresting 17 suspects.

The operation, conducted between February 17 and 23 in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, also resulted in the recovery of over 25,000 litres of stolen products and the decommissioning of 10 boats.

 

Danjuma Jonah, acting deputy director of 6 Division Army public relations, announced the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

 

He added that two active unauthorised refining sites were destroyed and three wooden boats carrying more than 9,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted at Akuku-Toru LGA in Rivers.

 

Jonah added that in a separate action, the troops seized a truck carrying over 3,000 litres of stolen crude at Ogale Junction on the Eket Port Harcourt expressway.

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He said the troops also uncovered an illicit oil bunkering site at Okwuzi in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, where more than 2,100 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) were stored in sacks.

 

A wooden boat loaded with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was also intercepted in a creek along the Ogaji-Ama axis in Bukuma.

During clearance operations in the Imo River, the soldiers dismantled two unauthorised refining sites, destroyed 23 drum pots and 14 drum receivers, and confiscated over 2,000 litres of stolen crude.

 

“In Bayelsa State, at Clough Creek in the Ekeremor LGA, three unauthorised refining sites were dismantled, a pumping machine was recovered, and more than 3,500 litres of crude were recovered, alongside the decommissioning of two wooden boats. An additional operation near Biseni in the Yenagoa LGA led to the deactivation of one unauthorised refining site and the recovery of over 2,000 litres of stolen crude,” the statement reads.

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“In related developments in Delta state, troops intercepted a Toyota Camry (registration number Anambra JJT 876 AE) carrying 16 cellophane bags containing an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO at Oton Village in the Sapele LGA.

 

“A subsequent operation led to the arrest of six suspects, and a tricycle transporting several sacks of illegally refined products was also intercepted along the Ughelli-Patani expressway.”

 

Emmanuel Emekah, general officer commanding the 6 division, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to maintain the operational tempo, emphasising that such vigour would “deny economic saboteurs the opportunity to continue their illicit activities in the Niger Delta”.

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EFCC uncovers illegal oil refinery in Ogun

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have uncovered an illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the facility was discovered on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence gathering and surveillance of the activities of illegal sludge oil refiners.

Oyewale said the facility was deserted when operatives stormed the premises, following an earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

The operatives discovered waste products from the refining process and underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

According to the statement, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission uncovered an illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

“The operation, conducted on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, followed credible intelligence and surveillance by the Commission on the activities of the illegal sludge oil refiners.

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“The refinery was found deserted when EFCC operatives stormed the premises, following the Commission’s earlier clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area. However, waste products from the refining process were discovered at the location.”

Oyewale said operatives also discovered underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

“Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the illegal facility in Ogere for processing,” Oyewale added.

He said the operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.

“Personnel at the facility told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility.

See also  Army arrests six suspects behind illegal oil refinery in Rivers

“Consequently, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC have since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage,” he added.

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Police bust high-tech indoor Cannabis farm in Lagos, arrest two suspects

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered a suspected high-tech indoor cannabis farm at a residential property in the  Apapa,l area of the state.

The suspects are a 49-year-old Polish national and a 36-year-old Nigerian.

According to the police, the suspects are Thomas Razvickas and James Chisome, both of whom reportedly reside at the property where the facility was discovered.

The operation was carried out on November 2 at about 8:15 a.m., following credible intelligence received by police operatives, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi.

A search of the premises led to the discovery of a sophisticated indoor farming facility reportedly equipped for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of substances suspected to be cannabis.

The police said the two suspects had been taken into custody, adding that they had made confessional statements and were providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations.

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The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, visited the scene to inspect the facility, assess the scale of the operation and receive a briefing on the investigation.

Fatai commended the operatives for their vigilance and intelligence-led policing, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling drug-related offences and dismantling criminal networks in the state.

He also appreciated members of the public for providing credible information and urged residents to sustain their cooperation with the police.

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Troops kill ISWAP commanders, two Arab fighters in Borno

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The gallant troops of the Nigerian Army have killed Abu Hajara, a high-profile member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Shura Council, and Abul Walid, a prominent commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, the group’s overall Wali (leader).

In astatement issued on Sunday, the acting media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, said that two other high-ranking Arab fighters were also killed during the engagement in Kukawa LGA of Borno state on October 31.

Goni said the attack came three days after troops killed 55 terrorists, including three key commanders.

“Combined troops of Joint Task Force deployed in Kukawa defeated massive ISWAP terrorists attack on their locations and troops utilised both ground and air assets from the air component,” the statement reads.

“Following the engagement, troops recovered scores of arms, ammunition and communication devices.

“The successful engagement further demonstrates the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of Operation HADIN KAI troops in sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.

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“The attack on troops location at Kukawa comes barely 3 days after Buni Yadi attack where as at date 55 terrorists were neutralised including key commanders such as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri (Munzir), Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore.”

Goni described the killing of the ISWAP fighters as a “significant blow to the leadership and operational capability” of the group.

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