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Troops uncover 40 oil wells in Rivers community, arrests suspects

Published

2 years ago

February 29, 2024

Nigerian Military Troops

Troops uncover 40 oil wells in Rivers community, arrests suspects

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt discovered over 40 abandoned crude oil wells in the Rumuekpe town in Rivers State’s Emohua Local Government Area on Wednesday, providing a significant boost to the fight against illicit oil theft.

Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, led the forces in a sweep and clear operation on the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline, which resulted in the discovery of the site.

Speaking to reporters following the raid, Abdussalam claimed that the 40-foot-deep oil wells are the newest method used by thieves to extract crude oil from underground

The GOC described the discovery as an eye opener for the army in the war against the illicit business in the Niger Delta region.

He explained that the miscreants had invented a technique of digging deep into the ground until they reached the crude oil deposits.

Abdussalam stated, “We have been conducting in the past two days and the aim of the operation was to clear the trans-Niger Delta pipeline because we have been receiving complaints from SPDC of breaches on the TNP and based on that we decided to conduct operation to sweep and clear the pipeline.

“It was on the cause of that operation, we came to this particular location and you (journalists) have seen what we have seen.

“If you are not here, you may not believe what we are seeing, this area our troops have discovered more than 40 dug outs and these dug outs are not meant to access pipelines, they are dug out directly into the ground like well and surprisingly have access to crude oil.

“This is the first time I’m seeing this type of thing. You can see all around us are pits and very deep, you will need ladders to have access into it and at the bottom is crude oil, so they are just fetching crude just like water from a well.”

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Continuing, he said, “This is very sad and with this we have discovered a new dimension to oil theft, it is entirely a new dimension. This is not an issue of pipeline vandalism, this one is digging directly into the ground and having access to these resources.”

Abdussalam added that following the discovery, he would notify the authorities of the development, pointing out that troops would be permanently stationed at the site to prevent continues operation of the site by the oil thieves.

“I will bring the attention of the relevant authorities to this site so that they can come and see what can be done.

“But in the meantime, our men would be deployed so that we can stop people from accessing the area because it is even dangerous to the people involved in this because a little fire will kill everyone conducting this dastardly act.

“It is also not good for the system. See how the whole place has been dug out. It is also very dangerous for people that are not even aware of this, because they can come blindly at night and fall inside this pit and that is the end.

“We would do the needful; we would not get tired until we rid this area of these criminals,” Abdussalam said.

He further said some suspects arrested at the scene were still in the custody of the army as investigation continues.

“Few people have been arrested, they are in our custody, we hope they will give us useful information that would lead to the arrest of others that are involved in this act”.

Answering questions from newsmen, one of the suspects confessed to the crime, saying the wells belonged to different families in the community.

He revealed that sometimes, diggers die in the process of digging the wells when they inhale the smell of the gas, saying they are usually paid about N40,000 to excavate a well of about 15 feet.

The suspect whose name was not revealed as of the time of filing this report stated, “It is owned by the community and not by one person.

“To get oil, sometimes if the place is like here, we dig like 10 to 15 feets. When we dig it and notice that the gas is rising, if you do not run out on time people might suffocate and we bring them out half dead, but the unlucky ones die.

“When we bring them out and pour them water and give them coke. So after the gas, the oil will come out. And another set will come to fetch it after we have finished digging it.”

Troops uncover 40 wells in Rivers community, arrests suspects

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Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Over Alleged Rape of Minor in Oyo State

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka

Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Over Alleged Rape of Minor in Oyo State

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old man over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl, describing the action as part of its sustained efforts to protect residents and uphold the law.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Command disclosed that the case was reported on December 25 at about 7:00 p.m. at the Alakia Adelubi Police Division.

The statement, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said officers received a complaint involving an alleged sexual assault on a minor.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspect, identified as Daniel Ajibola, allegedly committed the act after administering an intoxicating drink to the victim. Police authorities stated that the suspect admitted to the offence during interrogation.

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“The victim was promptly taken to a hospital for medical examination, while the scene of the incident was visited, and the suspect was arrested and taken into custody,” the statement said.

Given the seriousness of the allegation, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, ordered that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet and thorough investigation.

The Commissioner warned that the Command would not tolerate violence against women or crimes against any member of society, adding that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

He also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for his leadership and continued support, which he said has strengthened the Command’s resolve to maintain law and order.

Reiterating its commitment to the protection of lives and property in Oyo State, the Police urged residents to provide credible information to aid crime prevention and detection. The Command also released emergency contact lines, including the Oyo State Call Response Center (615) and Control Room numbers 08081768614 and 07055495413.

Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Over Alleged Rape of Minor in Oyo State

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Army Rescues Over 1,000 Kidnap Victims, Destroys Bandit Camps Across North-West

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Nigerian military troop

Army Rescues Over 1,000 Kidnap Victims, Destroys Bandit Camps Across North-West

More than 1,000 Nigerians abducted by bandits across the North-West have regained their freedom as troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division intensified a sustained military offensive that has dismantled criminal strongholds, killed notorious bandit leaders, and recovered large caches of arms.

The scale of the success was disclosed in Sokoto during the 2025 West African Social Activities (WASA), where the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Maj-Gen Ibikunle Ajose, said operations under Operation FASAN YAMMA have significantly weakened bandit networks operating in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states.

According to the Army, from January 2025 to date, troops recovered 189 AK-47 rifles, over 4,300 rounds of ammunition, 305 motorcycles, and more than 4,000 rustled livestock, while 1,023 kidnapped victims were rescued from forests and hideouts previously considered inaccessible.

Maj-Gen Ajose said several feared bandit leaders were neutralised during aggressive operations, forcing criminal gangs to flee or abandon their camps.

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“Communities that were previously under siege are breathing again. Farmers are returning to their fields and traders are moving goods freely with a renewed sense of safety,” he said.

He attributed the success to the deployment of special forces units trained for rapid strike-and-destroy missions, which enabled troops to strike bandit enclaves with speed and precision.

The disclosure came during the annual WASA celebration at the 8 Division Headquarters, a tradition that allows troops to unwind after months of frontline operations. Beyond the cultural displays, the event highlighted the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families in the fight against banditry and insecurity.

Representing Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, the Special Adviser on Security, Col Ahmed Abdul Usman (rtd), commended the Army for restoring relative peace across the region and pledged continued state support.

“The government stands firmly with the military to ensure our communities remain safe,” he said.

Maj-Gen Ajose also revealed that the Army is prioritising troop welfare, with renovated barracks, upgraded medical facilities, and additional health personnel deployed to support soldiers and their families.

While the Army insists the fight against banditry is not yet over, the destruction of camps, seizure of weapons, and mass rescue of abducted civilians have renewed hope among residents that the tide of insecurity in the North-West may finally be turning.

Army Rescues Over 1,000 Kidnap Victims, Destroys Bandit Camps Across North-West

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Bandits Attack Omi-Ara Community in Kogi, Abduct Several Residents

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Ovye Aya

Bandits Attack Omi-Ara Community in Kogi, Abduct Several Residents

Suspected bandits have reportedly abducted an undisclosed number of residents following a violent attack on Omi-Ara community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, threw the community into panic, as residents said the exact number and identities of those abducted were yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

According to locals, security agencies have been alerted to the incident, but the Kogi State Police Command had not issued an official statement. Repeated attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Aya, were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered and text messages were not responded to.

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The latest incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in the Yagba axis, which has emerged as a kidnapping hotspot in recent months. Between August and November, armed attackers reportedly invaded two churches—a Cherubim and Seraphim Church and an ECWA Church—during which a pastor and his wife were abducted.

In another related incident, suspected bandits attacked Odo-Ere community, also in Yagba West LGA, on Sunday night, abducting at least four residents.

Residents have continued to call on the government and security agencies to step up efforts to curb the rising wave of banditry and kidnappings in the area.