metro
Our Senior Officers Conniving With Oil Thieves – Navy
The Nigerian Navy Thursday said it would next year go tougher than before on some of its senior personnel colluding with bunkers, oil thieves and other maritime criminals sabotaging the nation’s economy.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A.Z. Gambo, warned that any act of collusion with criminals or sabotage of measures emplaced to checkmate illegalities would be met with stiff sanctions in accordance with the law of the land.
He spoke in Abuja during the decoration of the newly promoted senior officers of the Nigerian Navy.
He said the Navy, in collaboration with other security agencies, had continuously strived to protect the Nigeria’s economic mainstay through various operations to counter oil bunkering and crude oil theft.
“While there are significant achievements in the fight against these maritime crimes, there are a pocket of personnel still colluding with criminals to sabotage these efforts,” he said.
He urged the newly promoted officers to be above board and ensure that their subordinates equally buy into the zero-tolerance stance of the Nigerian Navy against all forms of illegalities and criminalities at sea and ashore.
He said the year 2021 had witnessed significant disruption in all facets of national lives with the Armed Forces now more than ever required to play more significant roles to ensure security and prosperity of the nation.”
The naval chief asked them to be more dedicated and display unalloyed loyalty to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in order to address the myriad of security challenges plaguing Nigeria.
“Your ingenuity, resourcefulness and integrity will be required as senior officers of your navy to reposition the Service in order to discharge its constitutional role for the security and prosperity of Nigeria,” he said.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, noted that 2021 was challenging for security forces, especially the military personnel involved in the internal security, saying 2022 would be more challenging in various aspects.
“It’s going to get tougher not only in Nigeria, but across the world and of course our confidence is that we have a crop of officers of the Armed Forces that would meet the demand of these challenges in the year 2022.
Meanwhile, Acting Directior, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, in a statement yesterday, said “The anti-crude oil theft efforts of the Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) this year led to the demobilization of about 1,423 illegal oil refining sites, each of which contains many camps; over 4,929 storage facilities and 536 large wooden boats, popularly called “Cotonou boats.”
The Defence Headquarters yesterday the troops of the Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) arrested 567 criminal suspects in the South-South this year.
He said the JTForce conducted both kinetic and non-kinetic operations in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers States, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom and the Cross River States.
He said: “To effectively tackle the security challenges in the area, the OPDS is made into a multi-agency organisation comprising elements drawn from 12 different security agencies which are NA, NN, NAF, DIA, NPF, DSS, NSCDC, NCS, NIS, NCoS, NDLEA and EFCC.
“The JTF leverages capabilities as well as information generated and shared by the aforementioned agencies in conducting operations aimed at attaining the JF’s mandate.”
He said the OPDS conducted a wide range of operational activities including protection of oil and gas facilities, anti-crude oil theft operations and clearance of militants/pirates’ camps as well as non-kinetic conflict resolution.
Daily Trust
metro
Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo
Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.
The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.
“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.
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The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.
“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.
“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.
The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”
The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.
Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo
metro
13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.
Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.
“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.
“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.
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“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.
“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.
“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.
“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.
The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.
He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.
“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.
13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
NAN
metro
NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn
NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes.
He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.
He said, “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.
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“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.
“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.
“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.
“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”
NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn
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