Soldiers arrest 16 suspected oil thieves in Port Harcourt

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, says its troops have arrested 16 suspected oil thieves and impounded 24,000 litres of stolen oil.

A statement by the division’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, on Thursday, said the operations, which were conducted from 24 February to 2 March 2025, with other agencies, resulted in the destruction of 14 illegal refining sites, and arrest of 16 suspected oil thieves and sundry crimes.

He also said the soldiers confiscated over 24,000 litres of stolen products across the operation area.

 Jonah said, “In Bayelsa State, following credible intelligence, troops destroyed two active illegal refining sites around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA. At the site, over 8,000 litres stolen crude, and over 3,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) stocked in sacks were recovered.

“Other items recovered included one generator, wielding and cutting materials.

Similarly, around Adibawa also in Yenagoa LGA, troops deactivated one illegal refining site, beside Oando Wellhead with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude and 800 illegally refined AGO confiscated.

Other seizures included two wheelbarrows and a pumping machine.

Soldiers arrest 16 suspected oil thieves in Port Harcourt

Bandits strike again in Benue, gun down 2 soldiers, 3 others

Five people, including two soldiers, were killed when armed bandits launched an attack in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State on Wednesday, according to local residents.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bodies of the slain soldiers were found at the scene shortly after they were shot by the assailants.

Joseph Har, Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, confirmed the attack but stated that he was still gathering details on the incident.

The President General of Mdzough U Tiv World Wide and Chairman of the three main socio-cultural groups in Benue, CP Iorbee Ihagh, also confirmed to journalists in Makurdi that five people—two soldiers and three civilians—were killed in the attack on Jato-Aka.

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Efforts to reach spokespersons from the Nigerian Army in Benue for comments were unsuccessful, as those contacted claimed to have been transferred out of the state and could not verify the incident.

Meanwhile, in a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the state government expressed condolences over the soldiers’ deaths.

Kula stated, “In a solemn reflection, the deputy governor (Barr. Sam Ode) bemoaned the tragic loss of two gallant soldiers from the Nigerian Army, who were murdered by armed herders while on duty, protecting civilians in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area.”

Bandits strike again in Benue, gun down 2 soldiers, 3 others

Court lifts order stopping Senate probe on Natasha Akpoti

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has vacated an earlier order that restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The initial restraining order, issued on March 4, 2025, was set aside on Wednesday, with the judge ruling that events within the Senate had overtaken it.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan came under Senate scrutiny following a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat reallocation during a plenary session on February 20, 2025. Her actions were deemed disorderly, leading to her referral to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for alleged misconduct.

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Rather than appear before the committee, the senator sought judicial intervention to halt the probe. However, despite the court’s initial ex parte order, the Senate proceeded with its investigation, concluding the process and presenting its report on the Senate floor on March 6, 2025.

Based on the committee’s findings, the Senate collectively voted to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In response, the second respondent challenged the ex parte order, arguing that it had effectively determined the substantive issue prematurely.

After reviewing the arguments, Justice Egwuatu ruled to set aside the restraining order, affirming the Senate’s authority to conduct its legislative duties.

Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all pending preliminary objections, applications, and the plaintiff’s request for a mandatory injunction.

Court lifts order stopping Senate probe on Natasha Akpoti