Connect with us

Crime

Troops neutralize two vandals, recover arms, arrest 18 in Niger Delta bunkering bust

Published

on

Troops neutralize two vandals, recover arms, arrest 18 in Niger Delta bunkering bust

By: Michael Mike

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have continued to achieve significant operational successes in their anti-illegal bunkering efforts across the Niger Delta Region. In their latest operation, troops neutralized two armed vandals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves, and destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites.

The troops also dismantled seven boats, uncovered eight illegal connection points, and seized over 60,000 litters of stolen petroleum products.

In a statement, Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said the operation commenced after credible intelligence revealed an attempt to vandalize a Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline in Upatabo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA). On arrival, troops engaged the vandals in a firefight, neutralizing two while others fled. Recovered at the scene were two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. Efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are ongoing.

In Degema LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, seized over 6,000 liters of stolen products, and destroyed two wooden boats. At Odagba village, near the Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats containing more than 5,000 liters of stolen products and dismantled refining equipment. Elsewhere along the Ndoni-Obiafu road, suspected oil thieves abandoned two vehicles, a KIA and a Toyota Avalon, loaded with 28 sacks of stolen petroleum products. Four motorcycles were also left behind by the fleeing criminals.

Further operations in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA led to the arrest of two oil thieves near an illegal connection point. Troops also deactivated illegal refining sites around the Owaza Odogwa Creeks, confiscated over 6,000 liters of stolen products, and destroyed multiple boats and equipment.

In Delta State, at Okpoko in Warri South LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat siphoning crude oil from Well 8 at Okpoko Oil Field. The suspects escaped into the bush, but 2,000 liters of stolen crude were recovered.

Additional operations at Ndemili Community and Oleh led to the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of two vehicles loaded with stolen products. In Bomadi LGA, a Toyota bus containing 20 cellophane bags of stolen petroleum products was intercepted, resulting in one arrest.

In Bayelsa State, seven suspects were intercepted along the Nun River in Southern Ijaw LGA with over 1,000 litters of stolen products. Troops also dismantled illegal refining sites in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw LGAs, confiscating thousands of litters of stolen products. At Clough Creek, a suspect was caught with vandalized NAOC armoured cables.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted six drums of premium motor spirit (PMS), estimated at 1,500 litters, at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA. The products were allegedly being prepared for smuggling to a neighbouring country.

Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their success and reaffirmed the division’s commitment to safeguarding the region’s critical infrastructure. All arrested suspects have been handed over to prosecuting agencies, while confiscated products are being managed in accordance with regulations.

Troops neutralize two vandals, recover arms, arrest 18 in Niger Delta bunkering bust

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Kidnappers abduct young man in Abuja estate, shoot fiancée

Published

on

Kidnappers abduct young man in Abuja estate, shoot fiancée

By: Zagazola Makama

Gunmen have abducted a young man during an attack on a private residence at Leisure Court Phase 1 Estate, located under Aco Division in Abuja.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at about 12:01 a.m., when the attackers gained access into the residence of Mr. Olusoji Litan on Mike Ekere Street.

Sources said the gunmen kidnapped Mr. Litan’s son, Oladeji Emmanuel, who had just arrived Abuja to visit his parents on Friday, Nov. 9.

During the attack, Emmanuel’s fiancée, identified as Amanda, sustained gunshot injuries on both thighs.

Following a distress call received at about 12:25 a.m. from the Chief Security Officer of the estate, police patrol teams, working with hunters and vigilantes, were deployed to the scene.

Three expended 7.62mm ammunition shells were recovered from the compound.

Amanda was immediately evacuated to Lawrence Margaret Teaching Hospital, River Park Estate, where she is receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

Sources said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing kidnappers and rescue the victim.

The case is being handled by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

Kidnappers abduct young man in Abuja estate, shoot fiancée

Continue Reading

Crime

Gunmen abduct FRSC officer, neighbour in Benue

Published

on

Gunmen abduct FRSC officer, neighbour in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

Gunmen have abducted a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel and another resident in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Zagazola learnt that the attack occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 9 at Asa 1, Otobi Akpa Road, Otukpo.

According to sources , armed men numbering about five stormed the residence, broke down the door, and forcefully took away the FRSC officer, identified as Oketa Ejembi, along with a neighbour whose identity was yet to be established at the time of filing the report.

The son of the victim, Daniel Oketa, reported the incident to the police at about 9:43 p.m.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised a patrol team alongside tactical units to the scene.

The command said efforts were ongoing to track the suspects and rescue the victims unhurt.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced investigation

Gunmen abduct FRSC officer, neighbour in Benue

Continue Reading

Crime

Over 50 fighters reportedly killed as Boko Haram factions clash with ISWAP in Abadam

Published

on

Over 50 fighters reportedly killed as Boko Haram factions clash with ISWAP in Abadam

By: Zagazola Makama

A deadly clash between the factions of Boko Haram the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunna lid-Da‘wa wa’l-Jihād (JAS) and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) has resulted in the reported death of more than 50 fighters at Toumbun Gini, an island community in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the clash occurred on Sunday afternoon around 3 pm, following an attempted offensive by ISWAP fighters.

According to the source, ISWAP mobilised fighters using 10 high-powered watercraft and launched an attack aimed at reclaiming the island, believed to have recently fallen under the control of the rival JAS faction.

However, intelligence reportedly reached JAS leadership ahead of the assault, enabling them to set up a counter-ambush.

At exactly 1500 hours, ISWAP boats landed and what was planned as a surprise offensive quickly turned into a deadly trap. The first shots were decisive. JAS fighters overpowered them within minutes. ISWAP was routed,” the source said.

The source said over 50 ISWAP fighters were killed during the ambush, with seven of their boats seized. The remaining three vessels escaped with casualties. Video clips appearing to show the aftermath of the clash surfaced online on Sunday.

Zagazola described the clash as Day 5 of intensified rivalry between the two insurgent factions, which have been fighting over territorial dominance and control of resources in the Lake Chad islands.

The continued push by JAS against ISWAP could force surviving ISWAP fighters deeper into mainland communities bordering Kukawa, Monguno and Marte LGAs, increasing security risks for civilians and security personnel.

The rivalry has however, weakened both factions, reducing their ability to launch coordinated large-scale attacks. However, this fragmentation also poses a different challenge: smaller, unpredictable cells that are harder to track.

What is happening on Lake Chad today is a conflict within a conflict and Nigerian troops remain in the middle of the battlefield. The fighting could be leveraged strategically by intensifying pressure on both groups simultaneously.

“This is the best time for the Nigerian military to tighten the corridor and deny both factions space to regroup,”said Zagazola.

Over 50 fighters reportedly killed as Boko Haram factions clash with ISWAP in Abadam

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights