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
News
VP’s Wife Consoles Maiduguri Bomb Blast Victims
VP’s Wife Consoles Maiduguri Bomb Blast Victims
Calls for united front against insurgency.
By: Our Reporter
Wife of the Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria Mrs Nana Shettima has stressed the need for all hands to be on desk to put an end to the more than a decade insurgency in the north east .
She made the appeal while speaking to journalists in Maiduguri shortly after she visited victims of gmboru market Mosque bomb blast in the Borno State capital.
In an emotional interview, Mrs Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice‑President, speaking on behalf of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu,described barbaric suicide bomb attack that struck the Gamboru market mosque after Maghrib prayer on Wednesday as unfortunate.
She prayed for the dead, called for unity, and vowed the support of the First Lady’s office for affected families.
Mrs Nana Shettima said she was in Maiduguri to offer condolences and relief to victims and families.
She visited the homes of the bereaved in Mashamari, Ummarari Millionaire’s Quarters and Gamboru Ward, where she prayed for the deceased, asked Allah to grant them eternal rest, and sought strength for families bearing these irreparable losses.
To cushion immediate hardship, Mrs Shettima presented financial support to affected families seven widows each received ₦1,000,000 (total ₦7,000,000).
She also visited the Maiduguri State Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where she was shown around by Dr. Baba Shehu, Medical Director of the State Specialist Hospital, and received by Professor B. Kagu, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council at UMTH, and Dr. Bunu Bukar.
After going round the patients beds at both hospitals Mrs Nana Shettima gave ₦500,000 to each of the 14 patients still on admission, offered words of consolation, and prayed for their speedy recovery.
The wife of the vice president reiterated her appeal for communal calm and solidarity in the face of tragedy.
The visit signals the First Lady’s office’s commitment to immediate humanitarian relief and moral support for affected families.
The visit underlines the first lady’s office commitment to spiritual consolation with practical assistance, targeting both households that lost breadwinners and those receiving medical care.
Mrs Nana Shettima confirmed she was in Maiduguri expressly on behalf of the first lady of the nation to sympathise with the victims.
Those who accompanied her includes the wife of the Borno State Governor Dr Falmata Babagana Umara Zullum,wife of the Deputy Governor Hajiya Maimuna Umar Kadafur, and the Borno State Apc women leader Hajiya Fati Alkali Kakinna among other top female government officials.
VP’s Wife Consoles Maiduguri Bomb Blast Victims
News
Police detain inspector, girlfriend over missing rifle in Taraba
Police detain inspector, girlfriend over missing rifle in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Taraba have detained an inspector and his girlfriend following the reported loss of an assault rifle along the Wukari–Jootar Federal Highway.
According to the source, the missing firearm belonged to Insp. Joshua Charles, aged 45, attached to the Safer Highway Patrol team.
The sources told Zagazola Makama that on Dec. 25, at about 3:00 p.m., the inspector reportedly left his duty post to Wukari town, leaving behind three other officers Insp. Haruna Galadima, Insp. Isah Waziri and Insp. Umar Mohammed who remained on duty.
“At about 8:30 p.m., the inspector’s girlfriend, one Ruth Alphancis of Sabon Gari area in Jalingo, who has been cohabiting with him since August 2025, returned from Jootar village in Benue and claimed to have seen an unidentified person breaking out of the house,” the source said.
He added that on the inspector’s return from Wukari town, allegedly in a drunken state, he discovered that his Type 06 assault rifle, loaded with 25 rounds of live ammunition, which he said he left inside the room, was missing.
The breach number of the rifle could not be immediately ascertained, the source said.
Following the report, the sources said operatives visited the scene, while efforts were intensified to recover the missing firearm and apprehend those responsible.
“The inspector and his girlfriend are currently in detention to aid investigation, while collaborative efforts involving local residents and hunters are ongoing to recover the rifle,” the source added.
End
News
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel Boko Haram attack in Adamawa
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel Boko Haram attack in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with other security elements, have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Mayo Ladde village in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa.
The attack occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday in Mayo Ladde, a border community linking Askira/Uba Local Government Area and the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that troops supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), swiftly responded to a distress call on the attempted incursion.
“The terrorists attempted to attack the village but were decisively engaged by the troops, who repelled them and forced them to retreat,” the source said.
According to the sources, no casualty was recorded during the incident, as residents of the village had fled the area before the arrival of the terrorists.
The source added that troops had intensified patrols and surveillance in the general area and along the border communities to forestall further attacks and deny the terrorists freedom of movement.
Operation Hadin Kai reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements to ensure the safety of lives and property in the North-East.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel Boko Haram attack in Adamawa
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