News
NESREA Seals Off Ethanol Plant for Discharging Pollutants into Water System
NESREA Seals Off Ethanol Plant for Discharging Pollutants into Water System
By: Michael Mike
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA and the Nigeria Police Force have sealed off Pure Bio-Tech Company Limited for contravening environmental law by discharging pollutants into public water system.
A statement on Tuesday by the spokesperson of NESREA, Amaka Ejiofor said: “On Monday, 17th April, 2023 at about 12.30 pm, the combined team of officials of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA and Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Benue State Command Headquarters sealed off a facility belonging to Pure Bio-Tech Company Limited situated along Gboko Road, Makurdi, the Benue State Capital, for discharging untreated effluent into water bodies thereby endangering human lives and the environment, and also flouting extant environmental laws and standards.”
Ejiofor said the company, an ethanol production plant, which belongs to the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sector, uses cassava as its raw material, noting that the production of ethanol using cassava is a wet process that requires the installation of a functional Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) which would ensure that waste from these processes is well treated before being discharged into the environment, insisting that the non-availability of the ETP is in clear violations of the provisions of the National Environmental (Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Industries) Regulations 2009 S.I No.36 and National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulations 2009 S.I No.28.
She disclosed that In March 2023 the Facility Consultant (NESREA Accredited) carried out an Environmental Compliance Monitoring (ECM), and the Report of the Effluent analyzed by the Consultant was submitted to the NESREA Field Office Makurdi on the 16th April, 2023. The Report revealed that most of the parameters analyzed from the Effluent were above NESREA Permissible level as provided under the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulations 2009 S.I N0.28, adding that the facility had earlier been issued notices of compliance concerns to halt production until a functional ETP is fully installed but it failed to comply.
She said NESREA subsequently moved in to avoid further endangering of lives of residents who use water from the river for their basic household needs. This is in conformity with the provisions of the NESREA Act 2007 (as Amended), which allows the agency to carry out such enforcement activity in situations where it becomes expedient and necessary to halt an action posing imminent danger to human life, animal the environment.
She alleged that in addition to not having an ETP, the facility was also found to be operating without an Environmental Impact Statement, and did not complete the process of conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before commencement of its operation which contravenes the EIA Act CAP. E12 of LFN, 2004, also accusing the Facility for operating without relevant Environmental Permits contrary to the National Environmental (Permitting and Licensing System) Regulations 2009 S.I N0.29.
She said the facility therefore remains sealed while investigations continue, stating that at the conclusion of investigations, the appropriate sanctions will be meted out on the company.
Meanwhile, the Director General of NESREA, Prof Aliyu Jauro has reminded facilities that compliance with laid down environmental laws is a must for any company operating in the country, warning that the agency is fully determined to ensure that non-compliant facilities are made to face the full wrath of the law.
NESREA Seals Off Ethanol Plant for Discharging Pollutants into Water System
Soldier Wife Arrested in Abuja vehicle theft case
By: Zagazola Makama
A notorious female suspect, Blessing Yusuf, aged 29, was arrested on April 25, 2025, by operatives of the Scorpion Squad, following a successful investigation into a vehicle theft case.
Sources disclosed that Yusuf, a resident of Kwali Area Council and wife of a serving Nigerian Army soldier, L/CPL Yusuf Yunnusa, who was arrested on April 19, 2025, was tracked down through digital forensic intelligence after fleeing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) upon learning of her husband’s arrest.
Sources said during preliminary investigations, Yusuf confessed during interrogation that she had initiated the idea of stealing a vehicle to cover her medical expenses.
She admitted to ordering a set of Toyota Corolla keys online via Jumia and later using them to steal a car at the Federal Secretariat. While her husband moved the vehicle, she provided cover and distracted passersby. After the theft, they transported the stolen car to Kwali.
Both suspects are currently in custody undergoing further interrogation.
Crime
FCT Police arrest woman for suspected child trafficking in Abuja as she claims she Purchase the Child from her father for N500K
FCT Police arrest woman for suspected child trafficking in Abuja as she claims she Purchase the Child from her father for N500K
By; Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a woman, Vera Onyebigwa, in connection with a suspected child trafficking case.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that On April 25, 2025, at about 2:00 p.m., a distress call was received at G/Lada Division regarding a suspected child trafficking incident near the timber shed area.
The sources said Police operatives were quickly deployed to the scene, where they apprehended Onyebigwa, a resident of No. 38 Murtala Mohammed Way, Benin City, Edo State, who was found in possession of a 6-year-old female child, whose identity remains unknown.
According to the sources, Preliminary investigations revealed that Onyebigwa had allegedly purchased the child from her father for ₦500,000 and was planning to transport her to Benin City.
The child’s cries attracted the attention of a Good Samaritan, who immediately notified the police, leading to the child’s rescue.
The sources added that the child is currently in protective care, and an investigation into the matter is ongoing.
FCT Police arrest woman for suspected child trafficking in Abuja as she claims she Purchase the Child from her father for N500K
EFCC operative allegedly linked to accident in Cross River
By: Zagazola Makama
Two persons sustained injuries following a serious lone accident allegedly caused by suspected operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) along Abakpa/Igoli Road in Ogoja, Cross River State.
Zagazola Makama gathered from police sources that the accident, which occurred at about 10:45 a.m. on Friday, involved a BMW car with driven by one Bassey Precious, aged 27, with a passenger identified as Caleb Fidelis Okem, aged 24.
The sources said that a white Toyota Hiace bus, occupied by armed men suspected to be EFCC operatives carrying AK-47 rifles, intercepted the BMW and attempted to force it to a stop. One of the operatives reportedly entered the vehicle and tried to take control, leading to a scuffle with the driver.
During the struggle, Precious allegedly refused to yield, causing the vehicle to lose control, somersault, and crash. The EFCC operatives immediately fled the scene, abandoning the injured occupants.
The victims were promptly rushed to the General Hospital in Ogoja, where they are currently receiving treatment and are reported to be responding well.
The police source said that the Cross River Police Command confirmed the incident and efforts were ongoing to identify and locate the operatives involved for further investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
The EFCC is yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
VP Shettima Extols UBA’s Dedication To Innovation, Emerging Markets At 75
Harnessing Solar Power: Patient care improved as hospital switches to renewable energy in northern Nigeria
Soldier Wife Arrested in Abuja vehicle theft case
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics8 months agoKashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident
