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Nigeria: FG Renews War on Oil Bunkering, Commissions Eight Gunboats 

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Nigeria: FG Renews War on Oil Bunkering, Commissions Eight Gunboats 

Nigeria: FG Renews War on Oil Bunkering, Commissions Eight Gunboats 

By: Michael Mike

The federal government has commissioned eight gunboats to fight crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the country to a logical end.

A press statement by the spokesman of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Olusola Odumosu on Tuesday said “in her resolve to end the menace of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the nation, the Federal Government through the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commissioned eight NSCDC gunboats to wage a full scale war against the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”

He noted that the move became necessary to strengthen the combative capacity of NSCDC Anti Vandalism Squad in stemming the tide of huge revenue loss to the Federal Government in the oil sector.

Aregbesola, while performing the official inauguration of the gunboats in Port Harcourt, described the incidences of oil theft as an organized crime ridding the nation of accrued revenue running to million of dollars annually.

The Minister of Interior, said the country in recent past had recorded various occurrences of crude oil theft and reports has shown that the country loses million of dollars daily such that, of the 141 million barrels of oil produced in the 1st quarter of year 2022, only 132 million barrels of oil were received at export terminals; the aftermath results further reveal that over 9 million barrels of oil was lost to crude oil theft. 

He decried the negative impacts of crude oil theft and oil pipeline vandalism in the nation.

He however called on all security agencies to shun Inter-agency rivalries and synergize by supporting the fight against oil theft in order to salvage and rid the nation’s economy of saboteurs. 

The Minister further maintained that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as the lead agency in Safeguarding Critical National Assets and Infrastructure is mandated to use the available logistics provided by the Government to reduce crime rate and by extension take the war against crude oil theft to the camp of the enemies. 

The NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, while extolling the role of Government in the provision of necessary logistics to enhance the fight against oil pipeline vandalism across the nation, affirmed that the eight newly commissioned gunboats will boost the morale of the Corps in combating the menace of crude oil theft along the waterways. 

Also Read: Gov. Buni Assures Support to Nigeria Correctional Service

He said: “The NSCDC is generally expected to effectively safeguard Critical Infrastructure and oil installations which are very central and vital to the socio-economic development of the nation.

“The Corps is saddled with the mandate to guard against oil theft, illegal oil bunkering through the provision of physical security to oil pipelines against vandalism.

“Therefore, any threat to the oil and gas sector is automatically considered as a high security concern owing to the debilitating effects it has on national development.”

He added that: “It also constitute environmental degradation, pollution, destruction of land and aquatic life, loss of means of livehood and drastic reduction in the inflow of foreign exchange needed to bolster the economy of the nation.”

He affirmed that a marching order has been issued to all Zonal Commanders, State Commandants and Heads of Antivandal Unit across formations to be battle ready with a renewed vigour to stamp out oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the nation. 

The CG reiterated the Corps’ determination and unwavering commitment to the war against illegal oil bunkering and assured the Government and the entire nation that the Gunboats would be distributed to states in the coastal region as the corps continue to collaborate with the military and other security agencies.

He enjoined Nigerians to assist security agencies in winning the war against the enemies of the nation by volunteering credible Intelligence and Information that could lead to possible arrest and prosecution of oil pipeline vandals and saboteurs of the nation’s economy.

Nigeria: FG Renews War on Oil Bunkering, Commissions Eight Gunboats 

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Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

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Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

By: Zagazola Makama

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Usaini Usaini, for allegedly raping and killing a mentally ill woman in Kwasangwami village, Gezawa Local Government Area of the state.

Police sources in Kano told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 12:30 p.m. when the suspect allegedly trespassed into the residence of one Abdullahi Idris, 50, and attacked his 30-year-old daughter, Abula Idris, who was said to be mentally ill.

“The suspect forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim who later died as a result of the assault,” said the sources.

He said the village head of Kwasangwami reported the case to the police, and officers promptly visited the scene and evacuated the victim to Sir Sanusi General Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

Usaini was immediately arrested and taken into custody, while the case is under investigation.

The police assured members of the public that justice would be served.

Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

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Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

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Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

By: Zagazola Makama

The quiet morning calm of Unity Road in Trans Ekulu, Enugu, was shattered on Monday when neighbours made a harrowing discovery: two children, a four-year-old girl and her three-month-old baby brother, were found dead in their home, allegedly murdered by their own mother.

Zagazola report that the suspect, identified as Chidima Arinze, reportedly committed the act at her residence, No. 47 Unity Road, in what police sources describe as one of the most disturbing domestic incidents in recent memory.

According to a Police sources, the tragic event unfolded on July 21 at about 9:00 a.m. when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Trans Ekulu received a distress call. Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.

On arrival, the operatives met the lifeless bodies of Esther Arinze, aged 4, and Chibusoma Arinze, aged 3 months. Both victims reportedly bore marks of violence, suspected to have been inflicted with a sharp object. The scene was cordoned off, and forensic photographs were taken before the suspect was taken into custody.

The children’s remains were evacuated to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT), Parklane, where they were certified dead by a medical officer. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

The suspect, their mother, was arrested at the scene without resistance. Preliminary investigation is currently ongoing at the Trans Ekulu Division, while the case is being prepared for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more discreet and comprehensive probe.

While police have not disclosed a motive, early speculation from community members points to a possible case of postpartum mental health crisis, though this remains unconfirmed.

“This is not something we’ve seen before in our area,” said one resident, who asked not to be named. “She was quiet, kept to herself. No one suspected she was struggling with anything.”

The Enugu State Police Command assured the public that justice would be pursued with thoroughness and sensitivity.

“We understand the emotional weight of this case,” a senior police official said. “Investigators are looking at every angle, including psychological evaluation of the suspect.”

Meanwhile, the Trans Ekulu community remains in mourning, stunned by a crime that unfolded behind closed doors in one of its homes.

“We are devastated,” said a neighbour. “Two innocent lives gone, and a mother behind bars. No one wins in this situation.”

Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

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NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron on the Run for 7 Years

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NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron on the Run for 7 Years

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of a special operations unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted 60-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Okpara Chigozie, who had been on the run for seven years.

A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said Okpara was caught attempting to ship large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine to the Southeast and other parts of the country.

He disclosed that Okpara has been on the wanted list of NDLEA since 2019 and was eventually nabbed at his hideout at 72 Micheal Ojo Street, Isheri in Ojo area of Lagos state on Sunday 13th July 2025 following the interception of some of his consignments at 5:45am same day at Ilasamaja along Apapa-Oshodi expressway.

Babafemi said in the early morning operation, a team of NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence arrested one of Okpara’s couriers, 51-year-old Achebe Nnamdi while heading to Onitsha, Anambra state in a white Toyota Sienna vehicle.

He said the agency’s sniffer dogs were subsequently brought in to search the vehicle after which 7.6 kilogrammes of cocaine and 900 grammes of methamphetamine were found hidden in body compartments of the space bus, adding that a follow up operation was promptly carried out at Okpara’s hideout in Isheri where additional 1.8 kilogrammes cocaine and 1.3 kilogrammes methamphetamine were recovered from his residence.

Babafemi said at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos, NDLEA operatives in a joint operation with Aviation Security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) last Wednesday recovered 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from the luggage of an Italy-bound passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa. The suspect who was going to Italy via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight claimed he purchased the drugs himself, hoping to sell them in Italy at higher prices.

In another arrest at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives at the export shed last Thursday intercepted 17 parcels of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 1.7 kilogrammes concealed in packs of popular cereal, Golden Morn, going to Pakistan as part of a consolidated cargo. A suspect, Chioba Uchenna who presented the consignment for shipment was arrested.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Saturday raided Sarah Sam Hotels located at 115 Ogudu road in Kosofe where different party drugs are being distributed and sold. The raid followed credible intelligence and surveillance which confirmed a suspect Obayemi Oyetade as the arrowhead of the drug network.

Babafemi said at the time of the operation, 1.3 kilogrammes Chocolate Cannabis, 900 grammes of gummies and 22.9 grammes of skunk were recovered from Obayemi’s room in the hotel, which is a 20-room facility run as a family business, housing his mother and siblings. Other items recovered from the hotel include three vehicles.

He said three suspects: Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi and Emmanuel Madu were on Saturday arrested during an intelligence-led raid at Narayi High Cost area of Chikun local government area, Kaduna State, where 742.866 kilogrammes of skunk, and Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis were seized from them. In Kano, Lawan Rabiu was nabbed with 36,000 pills of tramadol along Danbatta-Kazaure road, last Wednesday.

He said while a total of 25,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from a suspect Aliyu Abubakar, at Gombe roundabout last Friday, the duo of Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were arrested same day with 49 blocks of compressed skunk that weighed 29 C180 at Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba local government area, Gombe state.

In Borno, NDLEA officers on patrol along Baga road, Maiduguri, on Saturday intercepted 74,360 pills of opioids in a Mercedes Benz C180 car marked GUB 409 AA and arrested Audu Modu, 44, in connection with the seizure, while in Bayelsa state, a 63-year-old grandma Akuna Nelson was last Thursday arrested at Osiri area of Yenagoa in connection with the seizure of 163 litres of skuchies.

He said four suspects: Ikechukwu Abugu, 42; Sunday Ani, 18; Chukwu Christian, 46; and Emmanuel Olisakwe, 55, were last Thursday arrested by NDLEA operatives along Okene-Lokoja highway, Kogi state in connection with the seizure of 2 kilogrammes methamphetamine recovered during a search of their vehicle coming from Onitsha, Anambra state to Minna, Niger state.

In Abia state, NDLEA officers last Monday raided the base of a notorious drug dealer, Nduka Obi, 39, at 4 Niger street, Ugwa road, Aba, where various quantities of tramadol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and a total of N736,000 monetary exhibit were recovered from him.


While a total of 45,000 pills of tramadol were seized from a suspect Chisom Okpalaeke, 30, by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Onitsha – Enugu expressway, Enugu state last Wednesday, officers of the Taraba state command of the agency same day apprehended the duo of Ngwokwoka Thomas, 44, and Mohammed Audu, 44 with 10,000 caps of tramadol and a gramme of cannabis at Dan Anacha, Gassol local government area.

The spokesman said the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued across the country in the past week.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Lagos, Kaduna, Osun, Bayelsa, Gombe, Borno, Abia, Kogi, Enugu, and Taraba commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron on the Run for 7 Years

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