Navy seizes six million litres of stolen crude from illegal refiners – Newstrends
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Navy seizes six million litres of stolen crude from illegal refiners

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3 years ago

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*Buhari mourns over 100 persons killed in Imo explosion, says it’s national disaster

The Nigerian Navy says it has seized 6, 000, 000 litres of stolen crude oil estimated at N264 billion.
This came just as President Muhammadu Buhari expressed “shock and trauma” over the death of over 100 people in an explosion at an illegal oil refinery in Imo State.
Following the alarming increase of crude oil theft, the President had directed the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva; the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, to ensure that the criminal activity was brought to a stop.

Buhari’s directive followed public outrage against the massive stealing of Nigeria’s crude oil, which had hobbled the country’s ability to meet the quota allocated by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Owing to the directive, the naval troops disclosed that they recorded more arrests and seizures between April 15th and 23rd, 2022, being the third week of the operation.
A statement issued by Naval Headquarters stated that the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA in Warri, deactivated an Illegal Refining Site (IRS) around Sara creek.
The IRS had 16 ovens, 16 metal storage tanks and three wide pits filled with about 500,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, as well as 700,000 litres of stolen crude oil, a generator and 4 pumping machines.
Also, the statement revealed that an IRS at Asugbo creek in Warri was discovered with six ovens, 12 metal storage tanks and five large pits all containing about 600,000 litres of stolen crude oil including 200,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and about 150,000 litres of sludge.
Similarly, sequel to series of air reconnaissance, Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO in Bayelsa State on April 19, 2022, raided an IRS at Ereweibio creek in Brass LGA.

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Accordingly, seven large cooking ovens, 10 large metal storage tanks and drums all laden with about 400,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 20,000 litres of suspected illegally refined PMS were discovered.
The site also had five large pits holding approximately 700,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Equally, two pumping machines, one gasoline generator, one submersible pump and one chainsaw machine were discovered at the site and destroyed in situ.
According to the statement, on April 21, 2022, an IRS at Lelemu creek in Warri South-West was discovered. During the operation, 19 ovens, 26 metal storage tanks and two dugout pits laden with about 250,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 50,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were destroyed.
To ensure effective deactivation of IRS, NNS DELTA on 21 April 2022 conducted swamp buggy operations during which an earlier identified IRS around Egwa creek in Warri was destroyed.
During the operation, 16 ovens, 31 metal storage tanks and seven large pits all filled with about 850,000 litres of stolen crude oil were equally deactivated.
Relatedly, on 22 April 2022, around Lelemu creek in Warri South West LGA of Delta State, personnel under NNS DELTA again discovered 22 IRS ovens, 12 metallic storage tanks and 5 large pits all containing about 150,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
“At another IRS off Lelemu creek, 19 ovens, 42 storage tanks and 14 large pits containing about 300,000 litres of stolen crude oil, as well as approximately 200,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, 100,000 litres of illegally refined DPK and 100,000 litres of suspected crude oil sludge were all destroyed,” it added.
In a related development, NNS LUGARD at Kogi State in the course of OPDDB discovered an IRS on 22 April 2022, at a location off Akili-Ozizor community of Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State.
During the operation, four locally fabricated ovens, seven metal storage tanks, four large pits of which two were for storage of about 48,000 litres of stolen crude oil were all destroyed.
On the same day, NNS VICTORY in Calabar raided tanker garage along Harbour road in the city and seized a storage tank containing about 45,000 Litres of suspected illegally refined AGO. Also, a tanker laden with 33,000 Litres of suspected locally refined AGO was seized and the owner was arrested. Furthermore, about 58 drums of locally refined AGO were also seized.
Additionally, NNS SOROH at Yenagoa, on Saturday 23 April 2022 intercepted a wooden boat at Otuokpot Area along Kolo creek.
“The wooden boat was laden with 60,000Litres of illegally refined AGO together with over 100 sacks of same product. Items on the boat which included one pumping machine, one Yamaha 40HP outboard engine and one locally made boat Anchor with the products were destroyed at Ogbia waterside,” it stated.
The base also conducted a search on a Market Boat heading for St Nicolas Axis from Akassa area.
About 2,500 litres of suspected illegally refined products stored in gallons and sacks were hidden inside the boat. Accordingly, same were evacuated for destruction. Likewise on the same day, personnel under NNS DELTA on patrol around Jones creek in Warri South West LGA raided an IRS and discovered 33 ovens, 42 metal storage tanks and seven wide pits all filled with about 1,200,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 250,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and about 100,000 litres of sludge.

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Furthermore, combing of the area off Jones creek led to the discovery of another IRS with five ovens, two metal storage tanks and eight large pits with about 150,000 litres of sludge. Both IRS off Jones creek with the discovered items and products were destroyed in situ.
The statement affirmed that over 6,000,000 litres of products valued over N3 billion from oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
“The migration by operators of IRS from the South South geopolitical zone to the South East also come to the fore. “This development will in no way deter the Nigerian Navy from ensuring zero tolerance for COT, IRS, illegal bunkering and related economic crimes in the Nation’s maritime environment and adjoining territory”, it said.

Buhari Mourns Over 100 Persons Killed in Imo Illegal Refinery Explosion, Says It’s National Disaster

Meanwhile, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, Buhari, who described the unfortunate incident that occurred in Ohaji/Egbema of Imo State as a, “catastrophe and a national disaster,” called on the security agencies to intensify their clampdown on oil theft.
Many people were reportedly burnt beyond recognition by the explosion. It was learnt that the police were now looking for the owner of the unlawful refinery.
Dozens of people were thought to have been working at the refining plants when they were caught in the huge fire.
The death toll continued to rise as emergency workers went through the scene. Ifeanyi Nnaji of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told the British media organisation, BBC Igbo, that the number killed now stood at 109.
“We learnt many bodies are in nearby bushes and forests as some illegal operators and their patrons scampered for safety,” Nnaji said.
While offering his condolences to the families of the victims, the president demanded that those responsible for the explosions must be caught and brought to justice.
In the statement, titled, “Imo ‘Refinery’ Deaths, a National Disaster,” Buhari urged community leaders and the security personnel in the area to prevent a reoccurrence of such incidents.
The statement said, “President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the nation’s armed forces, security and intelligence agencies to intensify the clampdown on illegal refineries following the reported deaths of tens of people Friday night after an illegal refinery exploded at Abaezi forest in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

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“Reacting to what he described as a catastrophe and a national disaster, Buhari said responsibility for the loss of lives and property must squarely lie with the sponsors of the illegal refinery, who must all be caught and made to face justice.
“In conveying the condolences and the full depth and range of the nation’s shock and trauma to the families of the victims, the Ohaji/Egbema community and the government and people of Imo State, the president urged community leaders, the police, and the secret service to never allow the occurrence of the heart-breaking incident in any part of the country again.”
The damage to fishing and farming in oil-rich communities caused by the oil industry over the decades has led some to find other ways to make money from the oil business. Illegal refining is attractive in some oil-producing communities, as it is seen as somewhat easy to manage, despite efforts to halt the practice.
The authorities have been struggling to curb the proliferation of illegal plants where stolen crude oil is refined. The president ordered security forces to intensify efforts to shut these refineries.
It is not yet clear what caused the explosion that happened overnight into Saturday, but accidents like this have been common in the past at similar dangerous sites where safety measures are not enforced.

There have been concerns over a lack of precautions at such facilities as well as over the environmental pollution they cause. But Nigeria’s official oil refineries do not work to capacity, causing frequent fuel shortages and price increases across the country, and making the unlawful business very lucrative.

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Tinubu backs Obasa to remain Lagos speaker, ends assembly crisis

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15 hours ago

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March 13, 2025

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Tinubu backs Obasa to remain Lagos speaker, ends assembly crisis

President Bola Tinubu has resolved the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, endorsing Mudashiru Obasa to continue as Speaker.

The decision came after a closed-door meeting between Tinubu and all 40 lawmakers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

The President’s stance goes against the advice of a panel led by former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande and former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel. The panel, along with the Governance Advisory Council, had initially suggested that Obasa should step down after being reinstated.

Their recommendation was part of a political arrangement that first required Mojisola Meranda to resign as Speaker, allowing Obasa to return. The understanding was that Obasa would then step down shortly after, making way for a new Speaker from Lagos West to balance the state’s political structure.

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Recall that 49 days after his impeachment on March 3, 2025, Obasa was reinstated as Speaker following Meranda’s resignation and her re-election as Deputy Speaker. However, instead of stepping down as expected, he adjourned the Assembly indefinitely and refused to leave office.

Lawmakers had on Wednesday arrived at the Presidential Villa in a Coaster bus around 2 pm before being ushered into the President’s office. While Meranda arrived with her colleagues, Obasa arrived separately at about 3 pm.

A Presidency official, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that Tinubu had urged all lawmakers to work together for the stability of the Assembly and Lagos State.

“Tinubu met the lawmakers behind closed doors. They spoke about their grievances, and the President has resolved the problems,” the source said.

“With this development, Obasa will remain Speaker. His position is no longer threatened, and all lawmakers have agreed to work with him. They even had a photo session with the President after the meeting. It went well.”

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“Some stakeholders are naturally displeased that Obasa did not follow through on the agreement with the Akande panel. But I’m sure the President will continue to engage everyone to settle the matter,” the source added.

A source close to Obasa revealed that Tinubu also directed him to withdraw his lawsuit challenging his impeachment at the Lagos State High Court.

“The President told the lawmakers to allow Obasa to work, and Obasa should also withdraw the case against Meranda and the lawmakers in court. The lawmakers have agreed to this,” the source said.

Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, by 35 lawmakers, who accused him of high-handedness, financial mismanagement, and authoritarian leadership. Meranda was elected as Speaker but later resigned under pressure from party leaders.

Tinubu backs Obasa to remain Lagos speaker, ends assembly crisis

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Obasanjo lambasts Tinubu on high cost of VP new residence, Lagos-Calabar highway

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16 hours ago

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March 13, 2025

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Obasanjo lambasts Tinubu on high cost of VP new residence, Lagos-Calabar highway

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described as wasteful and corrupt most of the projects being executed by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

Obasanjo lambasted the Tinubu administration for spending N21 billion on a new official mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling it a misguided priority and a conduit for embezzling public funds.

The ex-leader revealed this in chapter six of his new book, ‘Nigeria: Past and Future,’ in which he depicted the portraits and personalities of federal and state chief executives alike.

The book was one of two new books released to commemorate Obasanjo’s 88th birthday last week.

Obasanjo also condemned the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will cost N4.93 billion per kilometre, noting that the contract was given on a counterpart-funding basis rather than a public-private partnership.

The pilot phase, which begins at Eko Atlantic and is planned to end at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, has been allocated around N1.06 trillion, or 6% of the total project budget.

Many prominent Nigerians, including Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections, have questioned the Federal Government’s decision to award the contract to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech Construction Company without competitive bidding.

Chagoury is thought to be Tinubu’s long-time business partner and friend.

Assessing Tinubu’s two years in government, Obasanjo stated that it appears like the game of short-changing nearly 230 million Nigerians will continue since “everything is said to be transactional and the slogan is ‘It is my turn to chop.’”

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When asked about Obasanjo’s criticism of Tinubu on Wednesday night, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga declined to comment.

The former President stated that the majority of those who have been appointed to positions of leadership in the country, such as governors, presidents, ministers, commissioners, and even local government chairmen, are ill-prepared, satanic, and self-centred, and are all out to corruptly enrich themselves while the nation continues to suffer from abject poverty and condemnable underdevelopment.

According to Obasanjo, many people who want to be governors or lead the country in some way are simply interested in using their positions to enrich themselves and their cronies and then leaving the country worse off than when they arrived.

The former President stated that most office-seekers in the country would go so far as to borrow billions of naira loans, assuming that repaying them from public monies once elected would not be an issue.

He stated, “How do you explain the situation of a chief executive, a governor, whose business was owing the banks billions of naira and millions of dollars before becoming a governor and within two years of becoming governor, without his company doing any business, he paid all that his businesses owed the banks.

“You are left to guess where the money came from. Having got away with that in the first term, he consigned to himself almost half of the state resources in the second term. He was a typical example of the goings-on at that level almost universally in the country with only a few exceptions.

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“State resources are captured and appropriated to themselves with a pittance to staff and associates to close the mouths of those that could blow the whistle or raise alarm against them while in office and when they are out of office.’’

He further noted that “The ones that are criminally ridiculous are the chief executives that deceive, lie and try to cover up on the realities and truth of action and inaction on contract awards, agreements, treaties, borrowings and forward sales of national assets. Such chief executives are unfit for the job they find themselves in.

“Typical examples of waste, corruption and misplaced priority are the murky Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road on which the President had turned deaf ears to protests and the new Vice-President’s official residence built at a cost of N21bn in the time of economic hardship to showcase the administration hitting the ground running and to show the importance of the office of the Vice-President. What small minds!”

To address some of the difficulties facing the country, the former President noted that there is a need to investigate the Western liberal democracy being practised and see how it could be modified to reflect African uniqueness.

“If the West, from where the liberal democracy started should complain about it not working well for them, we should be wise enough at this stage to interrogate, carry out introspection, internal analysis and realise that Western liberal democracy is not working for us and is not delivering apart from the shortcomings of the operators.

“We should seek democracy within African history, culture, attributes and characteristics, one that will take necessary African factors into consideration. Until we can get a better word or description for it, let us call it Afrodemocracy.

“It is from Afrodemocracy that we will draw up an African people’s constitution for any African that chooses to go the way of Afrodemocracy, which will avoid most, to all, the faults we have found in Western liberal democracy,” he suggested.

Obasanjo lambasts Tinubu on high cost of VP new residence, Lagos-Calabar highway

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‘Akpabio can’t be forced to honour IPU invitation over Natasha’s accusations’

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16 hours ago

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March 13, 2025

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Senator Natasha Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio

‘Akpabio can’t be forced to honour IPU invitation over Natasha’s accusations’

Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s camp has disputed the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s power to compel him to testify before its panel over Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the National Assembly.

Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, confirmed this in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is on a six-month ban, accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and misuse of power.

On Tuesday, she appeared before the IPU, a United Nations organisation, to file a complaint against the Nigerian Senate and its president, Akpabio.

After hearing her case, the IPU stated that it needed to hear from Akpabio before taking a position on the issue.

“The IPU, through its President Tulia Ackson, assured that it would take necessary steps after hearing both sides of the issue. Ackson acknowledged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s concerns but stressed the need for procedural fairness by hearing Akpabio’s side as well,” a Wednesday statement by the agency read.

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However, speaking in an interview with on Wednesday, Akpabio’s aide, Eyiboh, insisted that the Senate President was under no obligation to honour any invitation from the IPU, arguing that the matter was an internal parliamentary issue.

“They don’t have the authority to do that. It is an internal affair of the National Assembly. Akpabio can’t be forced to honour an IPU invitation. That is one. Secondly, what she is doing is contemptuous since she was said to have obtained a court order,” he said.

“That means she has no regard for the rule of law. And beyond being contemptuous, what she is trying to do is to dent the image of Nigeria, which is worrisome. Again, the IPU cannot meddle into the parliament and internal affairs of a sovereign state like Nigeria. It will be very embarrassing.

“But as I said, she has taken a step to show contempt for the court she went to. Has anybody asked her why she left the court to start heading to the IPU? Anyway, we wouldn’t want to comment too much on that issue because it is sub judice.”

Speaking on if Akpoti-Uduaghan would face further sanctions for her actions, Eyiboh declined to speculate.

“I cannot predict that,” he said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended on March 6 after an altercation with the Senate President over a new seating arrangement that she believed was intended to undermine her.

During an interview on national television, she accused Akpabio of politically victimising her for refusing his alleged sexual advances.

Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke at the Women in Parliament session of the IPU summit at the United Nations in New York, calling for international intervention to keep the Nigerian Senate accountable.

She also criticised the removal of her security, salary reduction, and a six-month suspension from the National Assembly.

‘Akpabio can’t be forced to honour IPU invitation over Natasha’s accusations’

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