News
Shutdown Benue ethanol company appeals for reopening
Shutdown Benue ethanol company appeals for reopening
By: Michael
Shut ethanol- producing company, Pure Biotech Company Limited has appealed to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to reopen its premise for operation after it installed a state-of-the-art Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), to prevent the reoccurrence of wastewater contamination, which was the reason for its shutdown.
The NESREA and the Nigeria Police Force had sealed off the company on 17th April, 2023 for contravening environmental law by discharging pollutants into public water system.
In an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, the Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Relations of the company, Mr Stephen Numbeve,, said his organisation has taken the necessary step to get reopened and thereby appealing to NESREA to give the go ahead to resume operations.
He admitted the accidental discharge of untreated effluent (wastewater) into the Benue River in Bezu Village where the factory is located, has led to severe pollution, and could not blame the environmental right groups and other stakeholders call for the shut down of the Chinese factory.
Numbeve said the organisation have learnt a big lesson, which made it to take the decision to optimise its Environmental Management System (EMS) by completing its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
This, he said has been approved and awaiting EIS certification by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
He said: “It is important to make it clear that the said discharge was not a continuous one as being widely reported. It occurred just that moment while the facility’s Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) then was under a test run. We erred, we were sanctioned according to the environmental laws, our facility was sealed off by NESREA on 17th April for almost two (2) weeks, but most importantly, we have learnt our lessons!
“After complying with stipulated conditions for unsealing in line NESREA’s enforcement procedures, including conducting independent physicochemical analysis, ascertaining the functionality of ETP, payment of fines, our company was unsealed on 29th April, 2023, we have resumed operations”.
Numbeve said the company had equipped its laboratory to ensure that product, effluent and air quality analysis were carried out to ensure that all parameters meet standards and regulations of relevant bodies.
“We are adopting circular economy approach to waste management. Now, all solid and liquid wastes are converted into bio-gas, fertiliser, and even the treated wastewater now being recycled.
“Nothing is to be discharged into the environment or river, anymore! We encourage the general public to take a tour to the company and see things for yourselves,” he said.
He said Pure Biotech Company Limited was law abiding and would continually improve on its systems and programs toward protecting the environment and human health.
“Pure Biotech Company Limited has invested a fortune to optimize her waste management mechanisms. Our vision is to become a leading environmental friendly company in Benue State and the North Central Nigeria.
“Pure Biotech Company Limited, beside the incident, is not discharging any effluent into the environment, river or any water body whatsoever.
The PR manager said the company was embarking on several Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, such as the provision of clean water, education, healthcare, farm support, employment opportunities for the indigenes.
Shutdown Benue ethanol company appeals for reopening
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have arrested 58 suspected illegal miners at an illegal gold mining site in Ososo general area, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
A security source disclosed that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on March 28 during a fighting patrol conducted by troops of 195 Battalion (Rear).
According to the source, the troops stormed the mining site and arrested the suspects without resistance.
“The suspects are currently in troops’ custody for further action,” the source said.
He noted that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities and other criminal enterprises within Edo State and its environs.
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with operatives of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC), have arrested two suspected logistics suppliers to Boko Haram terrorists in Gubio town, Borno State.
A military source disclosed that the suspects, identified as Mal Bunu Gojemi and Zanna Alhaji Mallam, were apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday during a joint logistics strangulation operation conducted by troops in the area.
According to the source, the suspects confessed during preliminary interrogation to being long-time suppliers of logistics to the Boko Haram.
Items recovered from them include three mobile phones, a traditional cap, and the sum of N40,000.
“The suspects have since been handed over to operatives of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre for further investigation,” the source said.
He added that the operation was carried out without any incident.
The Nigerian Army and other security agencies have continued to intensify operations aimed at cutting off logistics supply chains to insurgents as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East.
Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno
News
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in imported dry stockfish heads and arrested a key member of an international drug trafficking syndicate operating across several countries, including India.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Babafemi said the seizure followed credible intelligence on trans-border criminal activities, which led to a coordinated sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command at Ojo area of Lagos on March 19.
He said the operatives recovered 237 wraps of cocaine, weighing 5.80 kilograms, concealed inside stockfish heads locally known as “okporoko,” in three jumbo bags allegedly in possession of a 36-year-old suspect identified as Akputa Dickson Ejike.
According to him, the consignment was destined for Delhi, India.
Babafemi further stated that in a separate operation on March 25, NDLEA operatives at a courier company in Lagos intercepted two illicit consignments heading to the United Kingdom.
He said one of the consignments contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, while the second contained 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl.
The NDLEA spokesperson added that operatives of the agency also arrested a suspected female drug baron, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, 46, popularly known as “Iya Ghana,” during a raid at her residence in Yaba, Lagos, where 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, weighing 76.30 kilograms, were recovered.
He said another suspect, Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, 39, was arrested in Surulere, Lagos, with 78 blocks of the same substance weighing 41 kilograms.
Babafemi disclosed that in Ekiti State, an 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, was arrested during a special raid at Erinmo road, Efon-Alaaye, with 2.2 kilograms of skunk and methamphetamine, while another suspect was arrested in Ondo State with 894.72 kilograms of skunk recovered from an uncompleted building.
He said further operations in Benue, Edo and Taraba States led to multiple seizures, including skunk, codeine-based syrup, and cannabis concealed in animal feed, with several suspects arrested.
Babafemi added that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign also continued nationwide with sensitisation lectures in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano and Lagos States.
He commended NDLEA officers across the affected commands for the successful operations, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to balancing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction efforts.
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
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