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NSCDC bursts illegal refineries with 26 reservoirs, nabs 5 suspects

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The arrested suspects

NSCDC bursts illegal refineries with 26 reservoirs, nabs 5 suspects

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has uncovered a massive illegal oil refining site in a forest in the Odagwa community of the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to the NSCDC, the site has 10 illegal refineries with an estimated 500, 000 litres of crude oil contained in about 50 illegally constructed reservoirs.

The security agency said it arrested five suspects during a raid on the site.

The NSCDC spokesman, Rivers State Command, Olufemi Ayodele, disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen.

Ayodele said the site was uncovered based on credible intelligence gathered.

He stated, “The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, has reiterated over time that all acts of economic sabotage would be fought to a standstill as suspects arrested would face the full wrath of the law, irrespective of their sponsors.

“In furtherance, the CG gave a marching order to the Special Intelligence Squad, charging them to be more thorough and results-oriented in their operations.

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“Based on credible intelligence. the CG’s SIS swung into action and uncovered 10 illegal local refineries in a forest located at Odagwa Community in the Etche LGA of Rivers State where five suspects were caught in the act of illegally refining crude oil.

“While conducting an operational tour across the large thick forest about 10 different cooking pots of 50,000 litres capacity were seen with one big pumping machine, reservoir tanks, 25 rubber hoses used for pumping crude oil and many long galvanised pipes with unquantified litres of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil stored in six large reservoirs and other 20 smaller reservoirs dug in the ground.”

He gave the names of the arrested suspects and their ages as follows: Favour Chukwu, 29; Desmond Umeh, 25; Godwin Amos, 22’Bineace Galion, 38; and Goodnews David, 23.

The state NSCDC spokesman said the suspects would face prosecution at the end of investigations.

The Commandant of the NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Basil Igwebueze, condemned what he termed the ‘unrepentant’ act by ‘unscrupulous elements’ who tapped into the oil wellhead of ‘Heirs Energies Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited located around Imo River 2 Oil and Gas field at Odagwa in Etche.

Igwebueze said through different channels, the criminals inserted their galvanised pipes and siphoned crude oil while processing the same within the premises without recourse.

Igwebueze said, “The uncovering of this massive illegal oil bunkering site is a landmark achievement and an indication that the NSCDC as the lead agency in the protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure will continue to combat crude oil theft with a renewed vigour even as we work in synergy with sisters security agencies to salvage the nation’s economy from saboteurs.”

NSCDC bursts illegal refineries with 26 reservoirs, nabs 5 suspects

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Just in: Tinubu lands in Abuja after Netherlands, Saudi trips

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Tinubu returns to Nigeria

Just in: Tinubu lands in Abuja after Netherlands, Saudi trips

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after his trips to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

According to the NTA, Tinubu returned on Wednesday.

On April 22, Tinubu left Abuja, the country’s capital, for the Kingdom of The Netherlands on an official visit.

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said the president was visiting The Netherlands at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

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After the engagements in The Netherlands, Tinubu proceeded to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia to attend a special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting between April 28 and 29.

Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to the president, on Tuesday announced that the President and his aides will return on Wednesday in a post on his X handle.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” Onanuga wrote.

Just in: Tinubu lands in Abuja after Netherlands, Saudi trips

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National clean cooking policy gets FEC approval

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Federal Executive Council

National clean cooking policy gets FEC approval

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the National Clean Cooking Policy to ensure access to clean cooking energy solutions for all Nigerian households and institutions by 2030.

During the policy’s launch, Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting policy domestication by implementing key recommendations, as stated by the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking (NACC).

“We will conduct extensive awareness campaigns to highlight the benefits of cleaner cooking solutions. Additionally, we’ll offer technical and business training to enhance the capabilities of local producers and distributors. Fiscal and monetary incentives will also be provided to encourage local manufacturing of clean cooking fuels and technologies,” he elaborated.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, emphasized the ministry’s plan to organize regional and state launches to raise awareness about the policy.

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“Effective implementation of the policy relies on states and local governments aligning with its goals,” he emphasized, pledging adequate budgetary allocations from the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, highlighted the significance of implementing the clean cooking policy in achieving national climate change objectives.

“Development partners have allocated substantial financial resources to support the national clean cooking goal,” he noted.

Ewah Eleri, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking, praised FEC’s approval of the national policy and called for collaboration among government levels, the private sector, civil society organizations, and international development agencies to combat cooking energy poverty and mitigate climate change impacts.

Eleri thanked all partners, particularly the Clean Cooking Alliance and the Heinrich Boell Foundation, for their contributions to policy development.

National clean cooking policy gets FEC approval

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CBN cybersecurity levy will worsen Nigerians’ situation – PRP

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CBN cybersecurity levy will worsen Nigerians’ situation – PRP

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has condemned the cybersecurity levy imposed on electronic transfers by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), describing it as ill-timed and insensitive, especially considering the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians due to the Federal Government’s unpopular policies.

The PRP, in a statement signed by its acting national publicity secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, and made available to WITHIN NIGERIA, called on the CBN to withdraw the policy and implement measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

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The statement questions the timing of the levy and criticizes the government for collecting money from Nigerians to fund the Office of the National Security Adviser without ensuring transparency or accountability in the utilization of the funds.

The PRP condemns the CBN’s directive and warns that it will further worsen the financial difficulties faced by Nigerian citizens, particularly impacting vulnerable groups such as hardworking individuals, families, and small business owners.

The PRP calls on the CBN and the Nigerian Government to rescind the policy and focus on implementing measures that address the citizens’ concerns, including economic growth, job creation, and equitable distribution of resources. The party emphasizes its solidarity with the citizens and its commitment to fighting for a fairer and more prosperous future for all.

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