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
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
By: Zagazola Makama
Two men claiming to be members of the Nigeria Forest Security Services (NFSS) have been arrested in Sagamu, Ogun State, for illegal possession of firearms and extortion of motorists.
Zagazola Makama report that the arrest was made on Dec. 28, 2025, at about 8:32 p.m. following a report that three men dressed in security uniforms were sighted along Ikenne Road, near the NYSC Orientation Camp, collecting money from motorists while visibly armed with hunter-style guns.
Upon receiving the information, operatives from the Sagamu Division raced to the scene and apprehended two suspects: Emmanuel Idu, 55, and Sunday Moses, 35. A third suspect, identified as Oyilo David, 35, fled the scene and is currently at large.
During preliminary interrogation, the arrested men claimed to be attached to the Sagamu NFSS unit operating along Agbele Road by Otunba Gbenga Daniel Market. They also stated that the locally fabricated guns recovered from them were issued by a Commander Kehinde Joseph, allegedly supervising their operations.
In addition to the firearms, security operatives recovered one unexpended cartridge and the sum of ₦1,000 in ₦200 denominations from the suspects.
Authorities disclosed that one of the suspects had previously been implicated in a motorcycle theft case in Abeokuta, where the stolen motorcycle was recovered, and charges were filed in court.
The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Abeokuta, for further investigation.
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
Troops neutralise key Boko Haram commanders in Bama airstrikes
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force platforms, have neutralised several key Boko Haram terrorist commanders during coordinated airstrikes in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the airstrikes were conducted on Dec. 25, 2025, following actionable human intelligence on terrorist movements in the area.
According to the sources, no fewer than 10 Boko Haram terrorists were killed in the initial airstrike. Those neutralised included Abul Kaka, Ibn Mu’azu, Abu Muhammad, Ba Alhaji, Bakura, Modu, Abu Hassan, Kaka Alai, Abba Yakariye and Bamusa.
The sources further disclosed that another terrorist, identified as Ubaida, sustained serious injuries during the strike.
The sources added that a subsequent follow-up strike by Nigerian Air Force assets led to the instant killing of three additional terrorists.
Security sources confirmed that the majority of the neutralised fighters were loyal to Bafu, a notorious Boko Haram commander operating in the Bama axis.
An assessment of the operation indicated a significant degradation of Boko Haram’s fighting capability in Bama, particularly among elements under Bafu’s command, as a direct outcome of the sustained air campaign.
The sources noted that while the general security situation in the area remains calm, it is still considered unpredictable due to the fluid nature of insurgent activities.
Troops neutralise key Boko Haram commanders in Bama airstrikes
IPOB attack Enugu police patrol team, kill two officers and seize firearms
By: Zagazola Makama
Two police inspectors have been killed and three rifles stolen following an attack on a Distress Response Squad (DRS) patrol along Zik Avenue by Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital in Enugu State.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 27, 2025, when six armed men, suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN, operating in an ash-coloured Lexus RX 350 SUV, attacked and set ablaze the patrol Hilux vehicle.
The sources identified the slain officers as Inspectors Valentine Iheme and Ani Anayo, both members of the DRS team. The assailants carted away three AK-47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunition each.
According to the sources, all tactical teams and assets of the command have been activated and deployed in pursuit of the suspects, with a view to neutralising them and recovering the stolen firearms.
The sources said that the Enugu State Police Command has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
IPOB attack Enugu police patrol team, kill two officers and seize firearms
Notorious drug peddler killed during police raid in Katsina
Two Forest Security Guard Members arrested in Ogun for extortion, illegal possession of firearms
Troops neutralise key Boko Haram commanders in Bama airstrikes
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News8 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
