Soldiers destroy 49 illegal refineries, arrests 70 oil thieves, others in Niger Delta -DHQ – Newstrends
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Soldiers destroy 49 illegal refineries, arrests 70 oil thieves, others in Niger Delta -DHQ

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, said that soldiers on internal security operations in the Niger Delta region of the country have discovered and destroyed 49 illegal refineries and arrested 70 suspected oil thieves in the last two weeks.

The soldiers working under Operation Delta Safe, were also said to have recovered 275 polythene bags containing illegal refined AGO, 146 ovens, 145 receivers, four boilers, 125 metal storage tanks, eight GP tanks, 19 drums, 69 50litres jerry cans, 81 galvanised pipes, 85 dugout pits, five warehouses and pots containing illegally refined AGO.

The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Bernard Onyeuko, who made the disclosure while giving an update on military operations from March 10 to March 24, yesterday, in Abuja, said the soldiers recovered over six million litres of illegally refined AGO, over 4 million litres of stolen crude oil, one gun boat, one BMG gun, one AK 47 rifle, five MCs, several rounds of 7.62mm special  ammunition, 12 motorcycles, 20 wooden boats, 15 pumping machines, two trucks, one ford, three speedboats, five engines, one keke, five vehicles.

He said the operations took place in different communities, towns, villages and creeks of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Abia states.

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He said within the year under review, troops killed and arrested several Boko Haram terrorists, bandits and other criminals and rescued some abducted persons held captive by the terrorists.

Onyeuko also said that the Nigerian Navy, in conjunction with U.S. AFRICOM, recently concluded the 12th edition of Exercise Obangame Express, adding that the exercise was to create the enabling environment and freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Guinea.

He said the NN patrol vessels, FV Magnolta and FV Jasmin intercepted fishing vessels carrying out illegal fishing activities on the nation’s coastal waters.

“MT Queen of Peace was intercepted with 1,257 cubic metres of stolen crude oil with 14 crew members on board, while MT Harbour Spirit was also intercepted for suspected illegal activities and forged documents.

“A total of 16 vessels, 21 crew members were interrogated and five arrested within the exercise period. The overall assessment of the exercise was judged successful as it lived up to its bidding,” he said.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, commended troops in all theatre of operations for the modest feats recorded and enjoined troops to remain professional, vigilant and exhibit utmost caution and respect for human rights in their respective area of responsibilities.

SUN

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Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

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CSP Omolola Odutola

Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

The Police Command in Ogun State has launched an investigation into the death of a 25-year-old man, Toye Dominic, whose body was discovered hanging from a tree in a forest near Alagbodagbo Village, Ijebu Igbo.

In a statement released on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident and said the body was found around 4:30 p.m.

According to Odutola, a local hunter, Kareem Olawalose, came across the scene while on a hunting trip and promptly reported the discovery to the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Police Headquarters.

After spotting the body, Olawalose sought assistance from a nearby village, where he met the deceased’s elder brother, Joseph Dominic.

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The brother disclosed that Toye had left for the farm earlier in the day but failed to return, prompting a search by concerned family members.

“Policemen and villagers on arrival at the scene, observed that the deceased had set aside his farm tools before proceeding further into the forest, where he was found hanging from a tree.“No suicide note was found, and family members expressed shock and disbelief over the incident,” Odutola said.

She added that officers documented the scene with photographs, and the body was taken to General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for further examination.
Odutola assured the public that the police would carry out a comprehensive investigation to determine the events leading to the tragedy.

She also encouraged community members to stay alert and support people who might be experiencing emotional distress, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness and timely intervention.

 

Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

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Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

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Former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

The Kwara State High Court has fixed April 10 and 11 for the continuation of the trial of former governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and his finance commissioner, Demola Banu, over the alleged diversion of 5.78 billion naira from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two officials, who have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Testifying in court, Engineer Abdulsalam Olanrewaju, a former project manager at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), revealed that despite the state paying counterpart funds in 2014 and 2015, no contracts were awarded.

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He stated that while the 2013 contractors were eventually paid after protesting delays, funds meant for subsequent projects remained unused.

During cross-examination, Olanrewaju clarified that signatories to the SUBEB account were the accountant, permanent secretary, and executive chairman of the board.

Earlier, a second witness, Dr. Musa Dasuki, emphasized that matching grants from UBEC and SUBEB are strictly meant for school infrastructure and cannot be diverted for other purposes.

 

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

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Fubara writes fresh letter to Rivers Assembly for 2025 budget presentation

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara writes fresh letter to Rivers Assembly for 2025 budget presentation

Less than eight hours after his Chief Judge has been placed on investigation over alleged age falsification, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has properly written to the state House of Assembly of his intention to present the 2025 budget.

On Wednesday, Fubara was locked out of the Assembly Complex for what the spokesman of the House, Hon Enemi George said “his inability to formally communicate the House”.

In a letter titled: Notice of Presentation of Rivers State 2025 Budget to Rivers State House of Assembly, and addressed to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Governor recalled his first visit to the House.

“You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March, 2025 for the presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“As you know, the planned presentation of the said budget could not take place because my entourage and I were locked out at the gate and denied entry into the premises despite the prior delivery of a soft copy of the notice to you following the failure of the Clerk to accept the hard copy from us.

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“Recall further that before this unfortunate incident, the House issued a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget even when we were yet to be served with the certified
true copy of the judgement and accompanying enrolled orders”, he said.

Governor Fubara informed the Speaker in the letter that “we were simply complying with both the order of the Supreme Court and the request of the Rivers State House of Assembly when we came to present the 2025 budget on the 12th of March, 2025.

“The Supreme Court has directed that all arms of government should exercise their
powers and perform their duties within the ambits of the Constitution and ordinary laws of our country, and this we must do to end the lingering stalemate and advance the progress of our state and the well-being of our people.

“No matter the depth of our differences, we believe the interests of the State and our
people should take priority over political conflicts.

“Against this background, it is my pleasure to again notify you, Mr. Speaker, of my desire and intention to present the 2025 Budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly on
Wednesday, 19th March, 2025 by 11.00 a.m. or any other date within March 2025 that you may
consider convenient”.

It is therefore left to be seen if the House will have the courtesy to respond to the letter giving the long time frame for thr presentation of the budget.

 

Fubara writes fresh letter to Rivers Assembly for 2025 budget presentation

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