Oil Theft: Navy Hands Barge, TUG Over To EFCC

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA has handed over the impounded TUG MV STEPH 1 and Barge SIMI to the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The arrested vessels, laden with product suspected to be stolen Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), were handed over to the anti-graft agency on Wednesday at the NNS DELTA Jetty. Commander88 Samuel Musa, the Base Operations Officer (BOO) of NNS DELTA released the vessels to the EFCC on behalf of the Commander, NNS DELTA, Commodore Chindo Yahaya. Addressing newsmen, Yahaya said that Barge SIMI was impounded with about 120,000 litres of product suspected to be AGO at Workson Jetty, Edjeba, on the NPA Expressway in Warri South. He said that TUG MV STEPH 1 was arrested at KFT Yard, Edjeba on the NPA Expressway while discharging suspected AGO into some rubber tanks. The commander said that the two vessels were arrested on July 6. “On July 6, 2023, NNS DELTA arrested Barge SIMI, laden with about 120,000 litres of product suspected to be AGO at Workson Jetty, Edjeba on the NPA Expressway. “The barge was without necessary documents and approvals. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the product is an accumulation of Remnants On Board (ROB) from various vessels. “Accordingly, Barge SIMI is hereby handed over to the EFCC for detailed investigation and further necessary action. “Similarly, On July 6, 2023, NNS DELTA also arrested TUG MV STEPH I at KFT Yard, Edjeba on the NPA Expressway in Warri,” he said. Yahaya said that TUG MV STEPH 1 was caught discharging product without necessary documentation, and approvals adding that it was consequently detained and taken to NNS DELTA. “Accordingly, TUG MV STEPH 1 is hereby handed over to the EFCC for detailed investigation and further necessary action,” he said. Yahaya said that the NNS DELTA was poised to rid-off its area of illegal activities or operations. He warned those who indulged in such illegalities to desist forthwith. Mr Gomina Suru, Assistant Cdr. EFCC Two, Benin Zonal Command led officials of the anti-graft agency to receive the vessels on behalf of the Commission. “I am directed by the EFCC Two, Benin Zonal Command to take over the TUG and Barge from the NNS DELTA for the furtherance of investigation.” Officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) were on ground to collect samples of the product. 

Troops crackdown on oil thieves in Imo, Delta

The Nigeria Army has confirmed its cracked down on illegal refineries in Imo and Delta, with seizure of several litres of illegally refined Petroleum products. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made the confirmation in a statement in Abuja. Nwachukwu said the Troops of 343 Artillery Regiment, on Monday, cracked down on an oil thieves’ camp in Obokofia Community in Imo while conducting anti-oil theft operations. According to him, the vigilant troops intercepted 15 sacks and 13 Jerry cans of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camp. He added that the troops also recovered two pumping machines, three power generators, one hose and a tool box used for hacking into oil pipelines. Nwachukwu said the troops, while acting on credible information, on Tuesday, intercepted a wooden boat loaded with 110 sacks of illegally refined AGO concealed in the creeks of Egbema West in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo. “The vigilant troops equally intercepted two vehicles loaded with 18 sacks of illegally refined AGO within the same general area. “Members of the public are please implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country,” he said. According to him, “Troops of 3 Battalion also on Monday, clamped down on an active illegal oil refining site containing three cooking ovens and six reservoirs at Enokora Community in Burutu LGA of Delta.”

FCTA demolishes illegal market used for criminal hideouts in Abuja

The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday demolished an illegal market called “Kasuwan Dare”, a suspected hideout for hoodlums and drug dealers in Asokoro, Abuja. The market was located at Hassan Musa Katsina Street, near Kpaduma II in Asokoro Extension, Abuja. Speaking after the demolition, the Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the illegal market was becoming a threat to the residents of the area and passerby. Galadima added that the area was turned into a haven for criminal activities despite relentless efforts by the FCT Administration to sanitise the area. He added that the miscreants operating in the area were affecting the aesthetic quality of the entire environment, adding that the Administration would allow it to continue. He said that area had to go because it constituted a security threat, adding that the area was also serving as a hideout for miscreants, drug dealers and men of the underworld. “The operation will help us get rid of the hoodlums and drug dealers that have taken over the place. “We had demolished the place about three times, but the nuisances rebuilt and continued their activities. “This time around, the demolished market will remain demolished. We need to sanitise the place and enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment. “It is also part of the current administration’s policy of sanitising the city, and this is one of the areas we are commencing the exercise,” he said. Also, the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, Mr Peter Olumuji, said that efforts would be put in place to ensure the safety of residents in the area. The Village Head of Kpaduma, Mr Bitrus Yakubu, commended the FCT Administration for coming to their rescue and for ridding the area of hoodlums. “The place has been here for over twenty years but today it has gone down for our own good. “We are very happy as a community that the area is cleared for good,” Bitrus said.

Police seize 820 cartons of counterfeit, expired drugs in Kano

The Kano Police Command reported on Saturday that it successfully confiscated a total of 820 cartons of suspected counterfeit and expired drugs from Malam Kato Market in Fage Local Government Area of the state. According to a statement released by SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, the drugs were discovered in two warehouses situated within the market premises. The confiscated drugs encompassed a variety of items, with 514 cartons of emistxmin/emstifer syrup, 219 cartons of 5mg Lisinopril tablets, 7 cartons of 5mg amlodipine tablets, 87 cartons of 50mg atenol, 40 cartons, and 3 cartons of Frusemide injection among the seized products. Acting on the directive of the state Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, a team of detectives was dispatched to the scene to oversee the evacuation and recovery of the drugs. Subsequently, the recovered drugs were handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and appropriate action. SP Abdullahi Kiyawa emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining public safety. He urged residents to promptly report any suspicious individuals or items to the police, ensuring that necessary actions can be taken to safeguard public health and well-being. This operation underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat the distribution and sale of counterfeit and expired drugs that pose significant risks to the population.

FAAN apprehends 21 touts at Lagos Airport

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has successfully conducted a series of arrests at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, resulting in the capture of 21 suspects involved in various illicit activities. Among those apprehended were touts, illegal foreign exchange dealers, hawkers, and scavengers. Mr. Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, disclosed this information in a statement released on Sunday. Emphasizing the importance of creating a sanitized airport environment free from illegal activities, FAAN handed over the suspects to the Police for further investigation and appropriate legal action. The recent arrests are part of FAAN’s proactive approach to combat touting and other illegitimate activities within the airport premises. In collaboration with the Joint Monitoring Task Force (JMTF) and the Aviation Security Crime Investigation and Intelligence (AVSEC-CII) Unit, FAAN has been conducting targeted raids in recent weeks. These raids have led to the apprehension of not only touts but also cable thieves and other miscreants who pose a threat to airport safety and security. On a specific operation conducted on August 4, 2023, the JMTF and AVSEC-CII raided the ITZ 1 and 2 landside, the car parks, and the airport access roads, resulting in the capture of 21 individuals involved in various illegal activities. FAAN’s Director, Mr. Yakubu-Funtua, sternly warned individuals who have no legitimate business at the airport to refrain from engaging in unlawful acts, as further arrests will be made to uphold the safety and security of airport users and the airport environment. “The Joint Monitoring Task Force (JMTF) and the Aviation Security Crime Investigation and Intelligence (AVSEC-CII) Unit have since the past few weeks conducted raids in this regard. “Cable thieves and other miscreants have been apprehended in the course of these raids. “On Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) JMTF and AVSEC-CII raided the ITZ 1 and 2 landside, the car parks, and the airport access roads. “In the course of the raid, a total of 21 persons including touts, illegal foreign exchange dealers, hawkers, and scavengers were arrested. “The apprehended suspects have since been transferred to the Nigerian Police Force through the CII for further necessary action,” he said. Reaffirming FAAN’s commitment to its core values of safety, security, and passenger comfort, the director highlighted the authority’s unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards for the benefit of all airport users.