JTF uncovers over 50 illegal refining sites in Bayelsa forests

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, codenamed, ‘Operation Delta Safe (OPDS)’, says it has uncovered over 50 illegal refining sites in the Biseni forests of Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state.

He said a large dug-out open pit that could accommodate more than 10 trucks of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, was being used to hold crude oil from the distribution points to their cooking sites.

He recalled that he had earlier warned oil thieves in the area to desist from the illegal business or relocate to another area.

He equally recalled that on May 9, 2024, the troops were at Ukwa West LGA in Abia state bordering Rivers state and Imo River, he had issued a similar warning for criminals to stop the illegalities

Okeke said: “Today, like I said, we are not going to relent and it is a work in progress. We will not get tired, we will continue to give criminals hell; we are now in Biseni in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State.

“We traversed from Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State to reach this point. The most surprising thing is that this place we are now is housing over 50 cooking sites with unique arrangements.

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“It is where the thieves operating in this area have decided to be, so smart by connecting what is called theft line made of two inches pipe, a galvanized pipe connecting directly to supply oil line on the road, from a distance of one kilometre.

“Then they have a lot of funny connections where they have various arrangements of linking multiple connections where each of the oil thieves gets their supply.

 “From a large dug-out open pit that can accommodate more than 10 trucks of AGO, they are holding crude oil from where they distribute to their cooking sites.”

The OPDS commander called on the public-spirited individuals to continue to volunteer useful information to help the troops apprehend the suspected criminals, saying the troops alone could not do it.

“Look at the thick forest we are in now, you can never imagine that such serious crime is going on here. If not for the good-spirited individuals that volunteered information, we wouldn’t have known what is happening in the forest,” Okeke stated.

He advised the criminals to kindly relocate or change their business because troops would not relent in their clearance operations.

The JTF Commander said his message to those involved in illegality had remained that sooner or later they would catch up with them and deal decisively with them.

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He noted: “It appears that they felt that we are romancing with kid gloves, but I can assure you that it is getting out of hand and we won’t relax on our laurels to curb these illicit activities.

“I personally will begin to advocate more serious measures to address this challenge, because the country is bleeding. You know the illicit oil activities are doing more harm than good.

“When you allow such activities to be perpetrated continuously, the legitimate people that engage in crude business will not be able to sell their products because these criminals will be selling at far lower prices.

“The government needs to gain revenue for developmental purposes that is why we have taken it as a force to continue to fight this battle and we will not back down.”

JTF uncovers over 50 illegal refining sites in Bayelsa forests

Woman in police net for trafficking Ogun student to Libya

A middle aged woman, Abike Olonade, has been arrested for allegedly trafficking a 16 year old student to Libya.

The victim whose name has been kept under wrap is a student of Adeoye Lambo Secondary School in Obada Oko, Ogun State.

Police spokesman, Omolola Odutola confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday in Abeokuta.

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Odutola said the suspect confessed trafficking the victim to libya.

“One Abike Olonade has been arrested for trafficking 16 year old student of Ademoye Lambo Secondary School in Obada Oko Ogun State.

“She confessed that the victim have been trafficked to Libya,” the statement reads.

Woman in police net for trafficking Ogun student to Libya

FIRS official shot dead in Abuja

One Khalid Bichi, a middle-aged man, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in Abuja.

He was gunned down by the assailants in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday night.

Bichi, an employee of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was reportedly killed just before 9pm while he was out to get food.

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The assailants reportedly shot him multiple times before fleeing the scene.

He was rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Sources reveal that Bichi was an active social media user, known by the username @Khalid Bichi, and had connections with influential politicians.

The deceased was said to have been laid to rest today, Saturday, at 1:30 pm following a funeral prayer at Abuja National Mosque.

FIRS official shot dead in Abuja