23 suspected oil thieves arrested in N’Delta, stolen products recovered

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) in partnership with other security agencies have arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and confiscated 180,000 stolen products across the Niger Delta region.

Confirming the development in Port Harcourt on Monday, the acting deputy director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the troops destroyed 13 illegal refineries in the region.

Danjuma said in Rivers State, around Orachi/Okolomade general area in Abua/Odual Local Government Area (LGA), the troops confiscated over 45,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in sacks, concealed at different locations in the forest.

He said the operatives destroyed an active illegal refining site around Obiafo in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) and recovered over 28,000 litres of stolen crude in two reservoirs.

Danjuma confirmed that one suspect was arrested in the area while others fled on sighting troops, saying an 800-meter-long hose and a pumping machine were recovered.

He said the troops conducted an operation around Peterside Community in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site was uncovered, with three pots and receivers and over 10,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

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He said: “Similarly, in a snap operation conducted along Obrikom—Omoku, two wooden boats conveying over 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were intercepted.

“Meanwhile, seven suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection with the heinous crime. The ongoing clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River are progressing with several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers taken out.”

Sultan declares Tuesday first day of Dhu al-Qadah

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Tuesday, April 29, 2025, as the first day of Dhu al-Qadah 1446 AH.

The announcement was made on Monday through a statement signed by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.

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The statement read, “The declaration followed the absence of any positive report from the National Moon Sighting Committee and the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs regarding the sighting of the new crescent on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

“Consequently, Monday, April 28, 2025, will be observed as the 30th day of Shawwal 1446 AH, while Tuesday, April 29, 2025, will officially mark the beginning of Dhu al-Qadah 1446 AH.”

The statement further said the Sultan extended his best wishes to the Muslim Ummah and urged them to continue to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in the country.

Sultan declares Tuesday first day of Dhu al-Qadah

Sanwo-Olu to Obi: Poverty worsened under your watch in Anambra

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has criticized former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for remarks he made about Nigeria during a recent appearance at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

In a statement released on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of making “disparaging comments” that could tarnish the country’s image internationally. He emphasized that prominent Nigerians speaking abroad have a responsibility to project a positive image of the nation rather than “de-marketing” it.

Sanwo-Olu called for unity among leaders and urged public figures to be mindful of how their statements could impact Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.

The governor said, “He made the unflattering remarks not just about the incumbent Nigerian government, but also about Nigeria.

“I also find Mr Obi’s pattern of behaviour disturbing. When prominent Nigerians go overseas, they ought to project Nigeria positively. They do not have to do that for the government. But we all owe a duty to market Nigeria on the global stage rather than de-market her. That is what true patriotism is about.”

Responding specifically to Obi’s criticism of the current administration’s economic policies and claims that they were worsening poverty, Sanwo-Olu defended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts, noting that Tinubu had a track record of reducing poverty when he governed Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.

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“Now, I find it somewhat ironic that a man like Mr Obi, who did not build a single school or a stand-alone hospital throughout his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra or sustainably provide credit facilities, would criticise the Government of Nigeria, which is actively doing that.

“I say this because the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is my predecessor, and as Governor of Lagos and now President of Nigeria, has built over 200 schools and provided student loans to more than 200,000 undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu also challenged Obi’s record, claiming that poverty worsened in Anambra during Obi’s time in office.

Responding specifically to Obi’s criticism of the current administration’s economic policies and claims that they were worsening poverty, Sanwo-Olu defended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts, noting that Tinubu had a track record of reducing poverty when he governed Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.

“Now, I find it somewhat ironic that a man like Mr Obi, who did not build a single school or a stand-alone hospital throughout his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra or sustainably provide credit facilities, would criticise the Government of Nigeria, which is actively doing that.

“I say this because the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is my predecessor, and as Governor of Lagos and now President of Nigeria, has built over 200 schools and provided student loans to more than 200,000 undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu also challenged Obi’s record, claiming that poverty worsened in Anambra during Obi’s time in office.

He stated, “Mr. Obi talks a good game. But was he able to reduce poverty while he governed Anambra? Perhaps we can let the facts speak for themselves.

“Under Peter Obi as a two-term Anambra Governor, poverty in Anambra increased. It did not reduce. Before Peter Obi became Anambra Governor on Thursday, June 14, 2007, the poverty rate in Anambra was 41.4%.

“But after only two years in office, the poverty rate in Anambra jumped to 53.7%.

“But the interesting thing is that five years after Peter Obi left office, his successor, Willie Obiano, reduced the poverty rate in Anambra from almost 60% to 14.8%.”

The governor questioned Obi’s moral standing to criticise the government’s efforts.

“Mr. Obi contributed to the increase in poverty in Nigeria. Governor Tinubu, as he then was, was responsible for lifting millions out of poverty.

“Being that that is the case, who should criticise who?” he concluded.

Sanwo-Olu to Obi: Poverty worsened under your watch in Anambra