Troops neutralize two vandals, recover arms, arrest 18 in Niger Delta bunkering bust

By: Michael Mike

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have continued to achieve significant operational successes in their anti-illegal bunkering efforts across the Niger Delta Region. In their latest operation, troops neutralized two armed vandals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves, and destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites.

The troops also dismantled seven boats, uncovered eight illegal connection points, and seized over 60,000 litters of stolen petroleum products.

In a statement, Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said the operation commenced after credible intelligence revealed an attempt to vandalize a Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline in Upatabo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA). On arrival, troops engaged the vandals in a firefight, neutralizing two while others fled. Recovered at the scene were two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. Efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are ongoing.

In Degema LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, seized over 6,000 liters of stolen products, and destroyed two wooden boats. At Odagba village, near the Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats containing more than 5,000 liters of stolen products and dismantled refining equipment. Elsewhere along the Ndoni-Obiafu road, suspected oil thieves abandoned two vehicles, a KIA and a Toyota Avalon, loaded with 28 sacks of stolen petroleum products. Four motorcycles were also left behind by the fleeing criminals.

Further operations in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA led to the arrest of two oil thieves near an illegal connection point. Troops also deactivated illegal refining sites around the Owaza Odogwa Creeks, confiscated over 6,000 liters of stolen products, and destroyed multiple boats and equipment.

In Delta State, at Okpoko in Warri South LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat siphoning crude oil from Well 8 at Okpoko Oil Field. The suspects escaped into the bush, but 2,000 liters of stolen crude were recovered.

Additional operations at Ndemili Community and Oleh led to the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of two vehicles loaded with stolen products. In Bomadi LGA, a Toyota bus containing 20 cellophane bags of stolen petroleum products was intercepted, resulting in one arrest.

In Bayelsa State, seven suspects were intercepted along the Nun River in Southern Ijaw LGA with over 1,000 litters of stolen products. Troops also dismantled illegal refining sites in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw LGAs, confiscating thousands of litters of stolen products. At Clough Creek, a suspect was caught with vandalized NAOC armoured cables.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted six drums of premium motor spirit (PMS), estimated at 1,500 litters, at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA. The products were allegedly being prepared for smuggling to a neighbouring country.

Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their success and reaffirmed the division’s commitment to safeguarding the region’s critical infrastructure. All arrested suspects have been handed over to prosecuting agencies, while confiscated products are being managed in accordance with regulations.

Troops neutralize two vandals, recover arms, arrest 18 in Niger Delta bunkering bust

Bego calls for rejuvenated action in the information ministry

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State Commissioner of Home Affairs, Information, and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, has said that the present administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni CON remained committed to rejuvenating the information sector, hence the need for the staff of the ministry to rededicate themselves to service for effective information dissemination as well as keeping people abreast of the government policies and programs.

Bego disclosed this when he visited the zonal office of the ministry in Potiskum, the headquarters of the Potiskum local government area.

While addressing the staff of the zonal office, the commissioner said he decided to visit the office with a view to interacting with them and assessing their condition of service as well as mode of operations for improvement.

He commended the staff of the zonal office for their resilience and perseverance despite challenges, assuring that the ministry will work towards addressing some of their challenges, adding that the visit has given him the opportunity to not only interact with the staff but to also understand their challenges for a way forward.

“His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON Chiroman Gujba, is always ready to support us with a view to making the people of the state abreast of government policies and programs at all levels,” Bego said.

The commissioner assured that the ministry will continue to prioritize the training and retraining of the staff for efficient service delivery.

Earlier briefing the Commissioner, the zonal information officer, Malam Ishaku Mamman Gurara, described the visit as a clear indication of his passion and concern toward making information management effective across the state.

“The zonal information office Potiskum produced many information commissioners, most of whom are bona fide indigines of the town, but officially only two visited this office in 1994 and 1997, respectively, and that was Alhaji Dauda Fika and Alhaji Goni Fika, all of blessed memories.” Gurara added.

According to him, “since then, never at all has any commissioner visited us until your visit now, sir. Your visit, sir, has proven to us that we now have a strong and vibrant leader ready to regain and reinvigorate the lost glory of the office.

“Once more, honorable sir, we are sincerely speechless by seeing you, the permanent secretary as well as the Director of Information Service, in our midst just to interact with us and hear our problems with a view to solving them, he said.

The Commissioner was accompanied by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Mohammed Bala, and the Director of Information Services, Alhaji Ali Musa Yawale, and after interactions with the staff, the Commissioner took time to inspect the office structure, among others.

Bego calls for rejuvenated action in the information ministry

Korean Film Festival Returns to Nigeria After COVID-19 Break

By: Michael Mike

The Korean Embassy in Nigeria has commenced the Korean Film Festival in Nigeria after it went on break during the CIVID-19 pandemic.

The latest edition is the 12th Edition of the festival and was hosted at the Silverbird Cinema, in Abuja between 19th September to 21st September 2024 with several movies screened.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Korean ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Pankyu, expressed delight with the return of the festival after it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

He said: “I have come to deeply feel that South Korea and Nigeria share a strong cultural affinity, especially in their love for music and dance.

“Due to this cultural affinity, various elements, such as fashion and cuisine, along with music, are resonating in Nigeria.

“Particularly, there has been a significant surge in the spread of dramas and films.”

He added that: “Along with the global hit ‘Squid Game’ in 2021, the most-watched drama series on Netflix Nigeria in 2022 was ‘Alchemy of souls’.

“Thus, I have come to realise the importance of introducing Korean films to Nigeria, one of the world’s top 3 film-producing countries.”

Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Obi Asika, said millions of Nigerians had fallen in love with K-pop [Korean music] and K-drama [Korean drama].

He said Nigeria would continue to learn from the Koreans to improve its entertainment industry.

Korean Film Festival Returns to Nigeria After COVID-19 Break