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Operation Delta Safe: Major General Abdussalam urges abandonment of illegal bunkering for legitimate livelihood
Operation Delta Safe: Major General Abdussalam urges abandonment of illegal bunkering for legitimate livelihood
• Troops clampdown on illegal bunkering sites
By: Michael Mike
In a relentless effort to curb illegal activities in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, has issued a stern warning to vandals and economic saboteurs involved in illegal oil bunkering.
According to Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the GOC emphasized the need for individuals to pursue legitimate means of livelihood instead.
This cautionary statement comes in the wake of an intensified crackdown on criminal activities within the waterways, creeks, and rivulets of the Niger Delta Region.
Major General Abdussalam personally led an operation against vandals and economic saboteurs, resulting in the raid of several illegal oil bunkering sites in Obama and Uzoma, located in Kom-Kom Community at Oyingbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, on January 31, 2024.
During the operation, the GOC highlighted the commitment of troops under the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, to restrict the freedom of action for criminals in the region. Substantial evidence of organized large-scale criminality was uncovered during the raid, including over 15 boilers, 9 reservoirs, extensive interconnected pipes, and other paraphernalia used in the illegal activities. The seized crude oil amounted to over 5 million liters, and numerous large Cotonou Boats, capable of transporting more than 200,000 liters of crude oil, were intercepted en route to the location.
Major General Abdussalam urged those involved in these criminal acts to abandon illegal oil bunkering, emphasizing its illegality and the environmental degradation it causes. He implored them to embrace legitimate business ventures, stating that the facilities used in these illegal operations required significant financial investment, expertise, and careful planning.
Addressing the press, the GOC emphasized that the ongoing crackdown was not solely aimed at those apprehended but extended to identifying and holding accountable those responsible for orchestrating such illegal activities. He reiterated the criminal nature of the enterprise and urged individuals to contribute to the region’s development by engaging in lawful businesses.
This operation against economic vandals aligns with the commitment of the Land Component of Operation DELTA SAFE to dismantle illegal economic hubs and target their associated merchants in the Niger Delta Region. The recent operation follows closely on the heels of the destruction of large-scale illegal bunkering sites at Odogwa in Etche LGA, underscoring the military’s unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order in the region.
Operation Delta Safe: Major General Abdussalam urges abandonment of illegal bunkering for legitimate livelihood
Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Zamfara says its operatives have recovered 15 cows rustled by armed bandits during an attack on Gidan Kwagiri village in Damba District of Gusau Local Government Area.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 when the bandits invaded the community and carted away cows and sheep belonging to residents.
According to the sources, upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Damba Division mobilised personnel alongside patrol teams from the Department of Operations to pursue the attackers.
The team was said to have successfully recovered 15 cows, which were subsequently handed over to their owners.
Efforts, however, are ongoing to track down the suspects and recover the remaining rustled animals, while security patrols have been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks.
Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
Operation Whirl Stroke arrests cow rustling suspects fuelling violence in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation WHIRL STROKE have arrested suspects linked to cattle rustling in Benue State, following two separate security incidents in Guma Local Government Area.
Security sources said that on Feb. 15, troops responded to an attack on herders at Amua Village, located between Daudu and Umenger/Ukpiam. The attack left one herder dead, while another sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical attention. The remains of the deceased were handed over to community representatives for burial according to local customs.
In a related operation on the same day, troops stationed at Ukpiam acted on intelligence provided by vigilant youths concerning suspected cattle rustling. The troops arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Terngu Aondohemba, who reportedly confessed to killing two cattle belonging to Fulani herders. He also implicated two accomplices, Akpehe and Ashinge, who are still at large.
Further investigation led security operatives to Korje Village in Daudu, where Mrs. Mercy Onban, wife of the alleged buyer of the stolen meat, was apprehended along with the recovered meat exhibits. Both suspects remain in custody pending further investigation.
The Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, Major General Moses Gara, condemned the attacks and criminality, affirming the commitment of Operation WHIRL STROKE to halting killings and cattle rustling in the Joint Operations Area.
He urged community leaders to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, stressing that timely intelligence sharing is critical to restoring lasting peace. Major General Gara also reassured law-abiding residents of the strong resolve of the Joint Task Force to protect lives and property across the region.
Operation Whirl Stroke arrests cow rustling suspects fuelling violence in Benue
Federal Government arraigns Nasir El-Rufai over alleged phone interception
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Government has charged former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Court documents showed that El-Rufai, 65, appeared as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on Feb. 13, 2026, where he reportedly admitted to involvement in the interception and to knowing individuals who carried out the act without reporting them to security agencies.
The charges, filed under TABU DET CR/99/2026, include: Count One, Allegedly admitting during the television interview that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, contrary to Section 12 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two, Allegedly stating that he knew individuals who unlawfully intercepted the same communications but failed to report them, in violation of Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. Count Three, Allegedly using technical systems to compromise public safety and national security, and instilling apprehension among Nigerians, in breach of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The case, filed by a team of Federal Government lawyers led by ME Ernest, OM Owan, UM Bulla, CS Eze, and VE G. Orubor, is set to proceed with investigations and trial proceedings.
Authorities said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, where the accused will be required to respond to the charges.
The trial is expected to attract significant public attention given the high-profile nature of the accused and the sensitive security issues involved.
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