General
Navy Stops Theft of N2bn Petroleum Products in 12 Days
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Navy has stopped the theft of petroleum products worth almost N2 billion (precisely N1.992 billion )between June 1 and 12, 2022.
The spokesman of the agency, Mr Commodore A. Ayo-Vaughan, stated this in a press release, saying this was part of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo (OPDDB).
According to the statement, “On June 1, 2022, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER at Rivers State conducted a swamp buggy operation in some identified IRS during which 13 refining ovens, 6 reservoirs and 2 storage tanks were destroyed. Additionally, the IRS operators had abandoned 2 gas cylinders and fled at the sight of the Navy. The gas cylinders were handled appropriately. Similarly, NNS DELTA at Warri located and deactivated an IRS within a creek around Omadino Community in Warri South LGA of Delta State. The site had 7 ovens, 8 metal storage tanks and 2 pits cumulatively laden with about 3,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and about 6,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO. The site and products were neutralized appropriately. Also, 4 pumping machines and one 40hp outboard engine was recovered from the site.
“Also, on June 2, 2022, NNS SOROH arrested 2 trucks laden with suspected illegally sourced sludge at Opolo area in Yenagoa. The trucks were enroute Koko in Delta State without valid documents and approvals. A total of 5 suspects were therefore apprehended and in custody for later hand over for prosecution.
“Similarly, on June 3, 2022, NNS PATHFINDER discovered several IRS at Bukuma in Degema Creek and Creek 6 in Rivers State. There were 6 storage tanks and 3 massive pits filled with unspecified quantity of AGO and crude oil respectively. These were all neutralized.
“Furthermore, on June 5, 2022, NNS DELTA deactivated an IRS at Tebijo in Warri South-West LGA of Delta State. The IRS had 6 ovens, 11 metal storage tanks and 2 pits cumulatively filled with about 80,000 litres of stolen crude oil and about 150,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. Also, about 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO in stored/hauled in sacks were destroyed. Likewise, 2 pumping machines were recovered and handled appropriately.
“Meanwhile, on June 6, 2022, NNS DELTA raided an IRS around Ikantu bush in Warri South-West LGA of Delta State. During the raid, 15 storage tanks, 3 ovens and 2 pits collectively filled with about 70,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and about 250,000 litres of stolen crude oil were all destroyed. Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of another IRS around Ekpugbene Creek in Warri South-West LGA of Delta State. The site had 2 ovens, 7 metal storage tanks and one pit all filled with about 65,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 80,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil. Also, 3 oxy-acetylene cylinders and one pumping machine were discovered at the site. Accordingly, the site was deactivated while the 3 gas cylinders and one pumping machine were recovered from the site. Relatedly, an IRS adjacent to the location which had 15 ovens, 8 metal storage tanks, 5 surface storage tanks and one pit collectively, containing about 360,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 225,000 litres of stolen crude oil were destroyed accordingly.
“On June 7, 2022, NNS SOROH at Yenagoa, arrested 3 fibre boats (1 x 115hp and 2 x 75hp) and each boat operator at Ekpetiama in Amassoma Community. The boats were cumulatively laden with about 10,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. The boats and suspects were subsequently taken into custody. Similarly, NNS PATHFINDER uncovered an illegal crude oil loading point at Cawthorne Channel 2, Off new Calabar River. Several wooden boats were apparently siphoning/stealing crude oil from a well head within the vicinity. It was further discovered that the supply point serves as the major source of crude oil for the notorious ‘Market Square’.
“Accordingly, the identified illegal cooking camps and wooden ‘Cotonou’ boats were deactivated. Thereafter, the Base established a waterborne guard post at the point, while awaiting the arrival of NNPC technical experts to secure the well head to prevent further loss/theft.
“Furthermore, on June 8, 2022, NNS DELTA located an IRS around Ajigbera Creek in Warri South-West LGA of Delta State. The site had 13 metal storage tanks and 9 ovens cumulatively laden with about 60,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO and about 100,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the sites were deactivated while 4 pumping machines were recovered to the Base.
“Relatedly, on June 9, 2022, NNS DELTA raided a previously deactivated IRS at Ovuleye in Warri South-West LGA of Delta State along Egwa Creek. The IRS was observed to be active and illegal refining activities had re-commenced. The IRS had 10 ovens, 8 metal storage tanks and 6 surface storage tanks collectively, laden with about 250,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 150,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Also, 3 pumping machines were discovered at the site.
“The IRS was again, deactivated and the products were handled appropriately. On the same day, NNS PATHFINDER discovered 2 massive wooden boats at Creek 6 in Kalibiama laden with an unspecified quantity of suspected stolen crude oil. The large wooden boats and the products were handled appropriately. Additionally, 2 large pumping machines were confiscated at the scene and brought back to own location for safe custody.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it recorded a 30 per cent reduction in gas imbalance on the country’s Western Network following the conclusion of its first-half 2026 Nigerian Gas Network Reconciliation (NGNR) Workshop.
The workshop brought together gas transporters, suppliers, shippers and off-takers to reconcile gas volumes traded between January and June 2026, while introducing a Network Entry/Exit Point Measurement Infrastructure Audit Template aimed at improving metering accuracy and accountability across the gas transmission network.
In a communiqué issued after the workshop, the authority said participants also reviewed the performance of the Nigerian Gas Transmission Network, assessed progress on major pipeline infrastructure projects, and received updates on the ELPS Gas Shrinkage Factor and Hydraulic Modelling Project.
Discussions focused on addressing metering gaps, improving network visibility through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) integration, and enhancing system reliability ahead of the commissioning of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Pipeline System.
The workshop adopted key resolutions, including the execution of outstanding Network Exit Agreements, mandatory submission of measurement audit templates and closer collaboration among industry stakeholders to improve network pressure management.
Speaking at the closing session on behalf of the authority’s chief executive, Mr Rabiu A. Umar, the Director of Transportation Systems and Networks, Mr Joseph G. Musa, said the biannual reconciliation exercise had become critical to promoting equitable gas transactions, transparency, investor confidence and efficient network operations.
Mr Musa noted that since the NGNR process was introduced in 2023, it had significantly improved gas measurement, strengthened regulatory compliance through consequence management, reduced operational imbalances and contributed to a more reliable domestic gas supply.
The workshop concluded with participants adopting the reconciled H1 2026 gas volumes, reaffirming the authority’s commitment to a transparent, efficient and reliable domestic gas market.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An investment that supports growing food and agriculture companies across Africa that strengthen agricultural value chains has been made by Swedfund.
The organisation is putting down about $12 million to strengthen climate resilience in African food systems through the Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II (ARAF II).
By improving access to markets, finance and essential services, these companies help smallholder farmers become more resilient to climate and economic shocks.
Over 30 million smallholder farmers operate across Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 80 per cent of all farms and producing 70 per cent of the region’s food (IFAD). Yet many face limited access to finance, quality inputs, reliable buyers and market information. At the same time, they are among those most exposed to climate change and weather-related shocks, which threaten harvests, incomes and food security.
The investment has an ambition to reach around four million smallholder farmers through ARAF II’s portfolio companies. It also aims to meet the criteria of the 2X Challenge, which promotes investments that support women’s economic empowerment.
ARAF II invests in businesses that address key gaps in agricultural value chains, from improving market access and reducing post-harvest losses to expanding financial and digital services for farmers. By helping these businesses grow, the investment aims to improve productivity, strengthen local value chains and increase the resilience of food systems.
Swedfund invests alongside other development finance institutions and investors to help mobilise long-term capital for businesses that often struggle to access financing despite their potential to strengthen food security, climate resilience and economic development across Africa.
“Climate change is already affecting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers across Africa. Investing in businesses that improve access to markets, finance and agricultural services helps farmers strengthen their resilience, increase productivity and build more stable incomes. That is essential for more resilient food systems,” the Investment Director of Food Systems and Strategic Investments at Swedfund, Ms Helen Hagos, said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order a probe into the alleged diversion, disappearance and misapplication of more than N6.79 billion in public funds within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The grave allegations are documented in the latest Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation published on September 9, 2025.
SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible—including contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report—should be promptly prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be fully recovered, secured and properly accounted for.”
In the letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition.”
SERAP said: “The report also raises serious concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, creating significant risks to public safety and national security.”
According to the group, “The diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, and the misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, weaken public confidence and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.”
The letter, read in part: “The report documented numerous alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, and irregular procurement.”
“The report also documented unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, payments for services allegedly not rendered, and other suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds amounting to over ₦6.79 billion.”
“The allegations also include missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for recovered firearms and other exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, posing serious risks to public safety and national security.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
Some of the others include: N499,875,500.00 for the construction of Police College Phase II, Bashar, Plateau State; N12,931,000.00 for the rehabilitation of Block B, Department of Logistics and Supply (Works) building, Garki; N111,635,864.64 for the construction of 12 one-bedroom transit camp units and rehabilitation of the administration block at the NPF Pre-retirement Skills Acquisition Centre, Kudana, Kaduna State; N4,011,627.89 inserted as taxes to inflate a contract; N1,938,299,452.00 for 14 ongoing projects that were abandoned; N5,050,000.00 in monetary exhibits released without proper authorisation; N112,026,424.00 for outstanding allowances paid to officers to cover 2020 liabilities; and N6,000,000.00 as annual payment to the Inspector General of Police’s Senior Special Assistant on Revenue and Tax Matters.
Others include N10,080,000.00 as cash advances for the provision of office equipment and accessories for the NPF Database Management Centre; N438,066,845.73 for the supply of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and procurement of a Styr Punch Vistar troop carrier; N18,000,000.00 for the training of women in cosmetology and provision of empowerment kits in Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ondo State; N258,989,999.75 for the procurement of 10 JAC patrol vehicles for NPF outpost stations in Kano State; N30,853,250.00 as security allowances for personnel attached to the Ministry of Police Affairs; N681,406,593.18 for the settlement of insurance claims through insurance brokers; N1,628,108,434.18 for outstanding insurance policy liabilities for 2020/2021; N57,484,515.30 for the procurement of video cameras, customised umbrellas, gift bags and customised towels for the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Office; N7,760,409.56 in withholding tax and value added tax that was not deducted from contracts awarded.
