Military destroys 44 illegal refineries, arrests 29 suspects, rescues 41 in 2 weeks – Newstrends
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Military destroys 44 illegal refineries, arrests 29 suspects, rescues 41 in 2 weeks

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Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami

The Defence Headquarters yesterday said the soldiers on internal security operations in the Niger Delta have destroyed 44 illegal refining sites in the last two weeks.

The soldiers were also said to have destroyed 32 wooden boats, 73 storage tanks, 129 cooking ovens, 40 dugout pits and recovered 512,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, who made the disclosure at a bid-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces yesterday, in Abuja, said the troops also apprehended 29 suspected oil thieves in land, maritime and air operations at creeks, villages, communities, waterways, cities and towns within Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States.

He said the troops in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip also recovered 114,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,000 litres of PMS, 40 vehicles, three motorcycles, three generators and five pumping machines.

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He added: “Troops also arrested 29 criminal elements and recovered 104 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Notably, on November 7, it conducted air interdiction at Abacheke, an identified illegal refining site where significant human activities were confirmed. Consequently, the target was engaged and destroyed while an air strike led to an inferno that lasted for almost 24 hours.”

In the South East, Danmadami said the military, in conjunction with other security agencies had continued to curb the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.

He said the troops eliminated no fewer than 13 IPOB/ESN criminals and recovered arms and other items, such as voter registration capturing machines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Within the week in focus, troops neutralised 13 IPOB/ESN criminals, arresting six including their herbalist. Troops equally recovered eight AK47 rifles, seven pump action guns, three locally made pistols, one sniper rifle, 15 rounds of 7.62mm special, 13 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, eight rounds of 9mm ammunition and five cartridges. Other items recovered are three pairs of combat boots, two pairs of camouflage uniforms and two camouflage jungle hats.

“Also recovered are two CCTV cameras, one INEC image capturing machine, one INEC box, two walkie talkies, transistor radio, three solar panels, motorcycles, vehicles among other items. All apprehended criminals and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action,” he said.

In South West, Danmadami said the troops of operation AWATSE in the conduct of operation ‘Swift Response’ recovered 865 bags of 50kg foreign rice, and 505 (30ltrs) jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit. He said all recovered items were handed over to the Nigerian Custom Services in Ogun and Lagos States for further action.

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JUST IN: 4 feared killed as Arewa youths clash with police, union in Delta

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JUST IN: 4 feared killed as Arewa youths clash with police, union in Delta

On Monday, March 18, four people were feared dead after a battle between security officers and Northern youths protesting the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association’s (COMTOA) alleged extortion.

The teenagers, organized by the Arewa Union in Asaba, attacked the office of the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA) in Asaba, seeking a split from the state-controlled body.

It was alleged that the youngsters invaded several parts of the Asaba metropolis, leaving damage in its path, before heading to the office of COMTOA, on Summit Road, where they attacked members of the COMTOA Taskforce, damaging vehicles, office furniture, and making off with computers and other goods

Director General of COMTOA, Uchenna Okafor (aka Kosoko) said: “The Arewa Community are trying to form their own union so that they can avoid paying money to the State Government.

“Last week Saturday, we got information that they were about to set up a union that is different from the one the Delta State Government has inaugurated.

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“We called the SA on the Arewa Community and the Sarki of Asaba and they denied it. At about 3.00 pm that day, it was discovered that they had already inaugurated their own Arewa Task Force and that was how it started.

“They started attacking people paying for tickets through COMTOA, chasing the task force and ticket sellers but we were not deterred because the revenue is for the government.

“Yesterday, we were around GRA with the Police to enforce the law against the movement of Keke riders from 10.00 pm when we were attacked again and we eventually left the area.

“This morning, about 300 Arewa tricycle riders came to our office to attack us with cutlasses, guns, and other arms. They broke doors, windows, stole laptops, generators and phones. They also ran away with bikes”.

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Coordinator of the Arewa Community on Sales of Tickets, Hashima Abubakar, condemned the youths for violent protest and appealed to them to negotiate instead of perpetrating violence.

In a post on X formerly (Twitter), Edafe said: “They are policemen deployed to quell an ongoing protest against one of the State Taskforce in Asaba pls.”

In another post on X, he said: “There was a violent protest this morning by Okada riders who had an issue last night with the state task force that led to the death of two persons. They mobilized in their numbers this morning, destroying properties and beating people, hence our men were deployed to control the situation before it turns to something else.”

JUST IN: 4 feared killed as Arewa youths clash with police, union in Delta

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Rivers: Five to die by hanging, lethal injection for killing OSPAC commander

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Rivers: Five to die by hanging, lethal injection for killing OSPAC commander

In Rivers State, five persons indicted in the murder of one Umezuruike Alex have been sentenced to death.

They were convicted and sentenced on Monday on charges including conspiracy, cultism, murder and illegal possession of firearms by a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

Alex, prior to his murder, was Onelga Security Peace Advisory Committee, OSPAC, commander of Omudioga community in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

OSPAC s a local vigilante group resident in some communities in different local government areas of Rivers State.

The convicts are Okechukwu Orji from Atali community in Obio-Akpor LGA, Igwe Promise, Iheanyi Igwe, Morrison Igwe, all from Omudioga in Emohua Local Government Area, and Goodness Monday from Akwa-Ibom State

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The trial Judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, acquitted the sixth defendant, Alex Deiwe.

The prosecution, led by Essein Edet, proved its case against the five convicts, Justice Aprioku affirmed.

Following the conviction, the judge sentenced the convicts to death by hanging, or, alternatively, administration of a lethal injection until confirmed dead.

The court disclosed that the convicted individuals not only murdered the OSPAC commander but were also involved in kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state prior to their arrest and prosecution.

The late Omudioga OSPAC commander, Alex, was brutally murdered and dismembered by cultists in 2021 for his efforts in combating criminal activities in the area

Rivers: Five to die by hanging, lethal injection for killing OSPAC commander

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Police confirm death of suicide bomber in Borno

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Police confirm death of suicide bomber in Borno

The Borno State Police Command has confirmed an attempted suicide bombing in Biu Local Government Area, resulting in the death of the perpetrator and injuries to two bystanders.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daso Nahum confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday.

Nahum said the event occurred around 8 pm on Sunday during the night prayers observed by Muslim faithful.

A male suicide bomber, suspected to be targeting a mosque, detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near the roundabout, resulting in his own death.

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“Two passersby who were wounded by the explosive were immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment,” the police spokesman said.

Responding to the incident, Nahum disclosed that security personnel were swiftly deployed to the scene to restore order.

He emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan when late-night prayers are prevalent among Muslim communities.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

Police confirm death of suicide bomber in Borno

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