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Army arrests six suspects behind illegal oil refinery in Rivers

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The Nigerian Army says its men arrested six labourers at an illegal oil refinery capable of producing about three million litres of adulterated petroleum products within weeks.

 

The artisanal refining site spans over 40 plots of land and is strategically concealed beneath dense forest cover to evade aerial surveillance

 

Maj.-Gen. Jamaal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, led journalists to the expansive site at Odagwa community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers.

 

He said that investigations revealed that operators of the illegal facility were stealing crude oil from a wellhead located at Imo River 2 Oil and Gas Oil Field in the community.

 

“The discovery is part of 6 Division efforts to ensure that the Federal Government receives what is rightfully due.

 

“The illegal refinery is totally forested that even a helicopter or drone cannot be able to see what we have seen on the ground.

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“This operation was carried out based on credible intelligence that led us to this location, where we uncovered numerous illegal activities,” he said.

 

Abdussalam stated that during the raid, troops found over 14 reservoirs, each with the capacity to store over 200,000 litres of crude oil at the illegal refinery.

 

“We also discovered about 49 boilers capable of processing crude oil, as well as cables, tools, and a network of pipes connected throughout the area.

 

“The crude oil we discovered at this site is in excess of daily crude exports of Nigeria, which is quite pathetic and very sad.

 

“On the other side of the bridge (near the refining site), we also found numerous wellheads, most of which are not in use.

 

“It is from these (functioning) wellheads that these individuals (oil thieves) install pipes to syphon crude oil from,” he added.

 

The GOC emphasised that the theft of crude oil in the country has had a detrimental impact on the nation’s economy and the living conditions of its people.

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He said that the nation’s budget heavily relied on proceeds from crude oil production and expressed bewilderment at the continued sabotage of oil installations to the detriment of fellow citizens.

 

“Consequently, the illegal site will be dismantled as we remain steadfast in our commitment to curbing illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.

 

“While a few arrests have been made, those apprehended are not the key players in this criminal enterprise. Those arrested are primarily labourers.

 

“The main players have not yet been caught, but now that we have uncovered this place, we will conduct proper intelligence and investigations to apprehend the operators,” Abdussalam assured.

 

The army chief cautioned those involved in illegal bunkering of petroleum products to cease such criminal activities immediately and embrace legitimate means of earning a living.

 

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After five days, body of missing Lagos drainage worker recovered

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After days of intensive search, the corpse of a drainage worker, who got trapped while clearing the debris that blocked a tunnel in the Onipanu area of Lagos State has been recovered.

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, while confirming this in a statement on Friday, identified the deceased as 59-year-old Tajudeen Amololo.

 

The LASEMA boss in the statement said, “The victim identified as Mr. Tajudeen Amololo (age-59) has been recovered dead from the drainage and bagged by cobra team subsequently handed him over to LAMATA (Drainducks) with the Nigeria Police Force Ilupeju Division officials for adequate action.

“Recovery operation concluded while cobra team with the agency’s paramedic heading back to base.”

 

The sad incident happened on Monday while the victim was de-silting drainage in the community.

 

Oke-Osanyintolu noted that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority employed a male adult who works for Drain Ducks.

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Depraved: Man arrested for raping four-year-old girl in Ekiti

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The Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has apprehended one Afolabi Ojo for allegedly raping a four-year-old pupil.

It was gathered that the mother of the young girl reported the incident at the NSCDC Command in Ado-Ekiti, where she informed officials that the assault took place on Olujoda Street. Subsequently, the suspect was arrested.

 

During questioning, the girl disclosed that the suspect had removed her underwear and sexually assaulted her late in April.

Additionally, the girl’s mother stated that her daughter had confided in her about the incident.

 

However, the suspect denied all allegations, claiming he was falsely accused.

 

The Public Relations Officer of NSCDC in the state, Tolu Afolabi, confirmed that a medical examination had been conducted on the girl.

Afolabi revealed that the medical report confirmed the rupture of the hymen of the young girl.

 

Furthermore, Afolabi stated that the command had initiated an investigation into the matter.

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Customs intercepts cryptocurrency machines, $1.2 million, 148 drones in Lagos

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The Murtala Muhammed International Airport command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its officers intercepted fake $1.2 million notes, 148 drones, and five cryptocurrency machines in Lagos.

Speaking on Thursday during the hand over of the seized items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Charles Orbih, customs area commander, said the items were confiscated between January and April.

 

Orbih said the intercepted items were handed over to the appropriate authorities in Lagos as directed by Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs.

 

“The command also handed over 148 pieces of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also known as drones, 112 military hardware and accessories, two bulletproof helmets and two military vests to the 81 division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos,” NAN quoted Orbih as saying.

 

“The counterfeited foreign currencies were handed over to the EFCC’s assistant commander, Oguzi Moses.

 

“Also, the UAVs and other military hardware were handed over to the General Officer commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammad Usman.”

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He said the importers of the UAVs were unable to present an end-user certificate (EUC) from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA).

 

“Virtually all the drones were abandoned, while drones above 250 grams are to come with EUCs and whenever we ask for the certificate, they abandon the UAVs,” he added.

The area commander said the NCS generated N19 billion in revenue between January and April this year, adding that there was a 67 percent increase in collection when juxtaposed with 2023.

“In line with the NCS mandate of revenue collection, revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation and national security, the officers and men of the command under my watch remained resolute and dedicated in ensuring the blockage of revenue leakages,” he added.

“The command also ensured facilitation of legitimate trade through a combined effort, in compliance with the policy thrust of the comptroller-general of customs.

 

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“The command generated N19 billion between January and April 2024. This represents 42 percent collection of the annual revenue target given to the command for the year 2024 and 67 percent increase in collection against the preceding year of 2023.

 

“In our continued effort to block revenue leakages, the command made some seizures and detention of the following items — precious stones such as zinc, lithium, copper stones/sand, 120 pieces of SIM cards.

 

“The command seized four drones with a duty paid value of N7.8 million; one wooden giraffe statue and five bulletproof jackets with a DPV of N1.25 million.”

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