Troops deactivate illegal bunkering sites, arrest suspects, recover arms in Niger Delta

By: Michael Mike

• Army cracks down on oil theft and sabotage, seizes over 118,000 litres of stolen products

Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified operations against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
In a statement Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said over the past week, 11 suspects were arrested, more than 20 illegal bunkering sites were deactivated, and 22 boats used for criminal activities were intercepted.
He added that six firearms and cartridges were recovered, along with over 118,000 litres of stolen oil products.
He said in Rivers State, multiple operations were conducted, including the dismantling of four illegal refineries and the interception of 35,000 litres of stolen products in the Jigama-Bille area of Degema Local Government Area (LGA). Similarly, in Krakarma-Bille, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, seizing 14,000 litres of stolen automotive gas oil and 8,000 litres of crude oil. In the Orashi River area, 5,500 litres of condensate were recovered, and one suspect was arrested for pipeline vandalism near the Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA.

Danjuma said in Bayelsa State, troops deactivated an illegal refining site in Nembe LGA, confiscating over 30,000 litres of stolen oil. In Southern Ijaw LGA, two active illegal refining sites were dismantled, and 4,500 litres of stolen products were seized. Additional operations in the Tobo, Obotoro, and Arugba Creeks recovered over 15,000 litres of illegally refined products and identified illegal pipeline connections near Idu Wellhead 4.
He said in Delta State also saw significant actions as troops intercepted a Lexus RX 350 carrying three suspects and recovered five pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, and 51 cartridges. The suspects have been handed over to security authorities for further investigation. In Warri South LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat siphoning crude oil from an Opumami Oil Field wellhead. Several illegal refining sites were deactivated in Benneth Island, leading to the recovery of over 7,500 litres of stolen crude.
Danjuma said the troops also maintained heightened security patrols in Akwa Ibom State to prevent criminal activities in both hinterlands and waterways.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their efforts and vowed to sustain operations to safeguard national assets and infrastructure in the region.

Troops deactivate illegal bunkering sites, arrest suspects, recover arms in Niger Delta

Another Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Makore Killed by Security Forces

By: Zagazola Makama

In another major break through in the Northwest of Zamfara, by Nigerian security forces, notorious bandit leader Kachalla Makore has been killed along with several of his fighters.

The operation took place along the Kwankele road in the Magami area of Gusau Local Government Area on Sunday, September 23, 2024.

Kachalla Makore and his men were reportedly en route to recover the body of fellow bandit leader Kachalla Sani Black, who had been killed earlier in the Dan Sadau area of Maru Local Government Area. Sani Black was neutralized in Magama Mai Rake, another notorious hotspot for bandit activity.

Kachalla Makore rose to power after the death of his predecessor, Kachalla Damuna, and was known for his criminal operations around Kangon Garacci village in the Dan Gulbi area, also within Maru Local Government Area.

This victory by security forces comes as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate top bandit leaders as well as curb banditry and violent crime in the North West.

Another Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Makore Killed by Security Forces

NDLEA intercepts ex-convict with over N4.6 billion worth of cocaine at Lagos airport

By: Michael Mike

Barely 16 months after he was arrested and convicted for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine, a 48-year-old businessman Christian Ogbuji has been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for importing 817 wraps of the same Class A drug weighing 19.4 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of over N4.6 billion.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Ogbuji was first arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday 10th May 2023 upon arrival from Uganda via Addis Ababa, onboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 951 for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.986 kilogrammes. He was subsequently arraigned before Federal High Court 12 Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/192/2023 and convicted on 13th July 2023. Ogbuji was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of paying a fine of N3 million, which he paid and was set free.

Babafemi said Ogbuji on the court order also forfeited the seized 1.986 kilogrammes cocaine, his international passport, 14 US dollars and 9000 Uganda shillings found on him at the time of his arrest.

The spokesman said: “Not done with crime, Ogbuji was again arrested at the Lagos airport on Wednesday 18th September 2024 during an inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos. The suspect had approached the joint examination table with a black travelling bag which was searched by an NDLEA operative who cleared the luggage. In a dubious move, Ogbuji sneaked back to the carousel area to put inside the cleared bag a black backpack he left on the conveyor’s belt.
As he made his way out of the arrival hall, vigilant NDLEA officers intercepted him and subjected him to a second search. It was then large wraps of excreted cocaine were found concealed inside the backpack hidden in the black travelling bag that was earlier found with the suspect.

He said a total of 817 pellets of cocaine excreted by many traffickers in Addis Ababa weighing 19.4 kilogrammes belonging to different members of a drug cartel were recovered.

Babafemi said during interrogation of the suspect, he stated that he initially left the backpack containing the drug at the carousel area as a strategy to beat NDLEA operatives, adding that he never knew there could be a “secondary search” since he had presented his bag for search previously and nothing incriminating was found. He claimed he had to procure a new international passport to continue his criminal trade.

The spokesman said investigations revealed Ogbuji is an unrepentant kingpin within the network of drug cartels operating between Brazil, Ethiopia, Nigeria and others in the West African sub-region like Benin, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire.

In his reaction to the arrest of Ogbuji, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA Strategic Command for an excellent job done, adding that the seizure of such a large consignment of cocaine at the airport is a milestone that will send a strong message to the international drug cartels trying to find footholds in Nigeria.

He however assured that the agency will continue to work to disrupt the activities of drug cartels operating in the country.
Ends

NDLEA intercepts ex-convict with over N4.6 billion worth of cocaine at Lagos airport