General
Army Deactivates 31 Illegal Refineries in One Week
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Army says it has intensified its crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, engaging suspected criminals in a fierce gun battle and deactivating 31 illegal refining sites across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states.
The large-scale operation, conducted between March 3 and 9, 2025 according to the Army, led to the arrest of 29 suspects, the seizure of over 212,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, and the destruction of 26 boats used for illegal activities.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, said the operation carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, dealt a significant blow to oil thieves who continue to sabotage Nigeria’s economy through illicit refining and smuggling of petroleum products.
“One of the biggest busts took place in Ogbonga Forest, Bonny Island, where troops discovered 10 illegal refining sites, 15 cooking pots, and two massive reservoirs stocked with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Also seized were three tanks filled with 10,000 litres of stolen products and a 200-meter-long hose used for siphoning crude. These items were tactically concealed under a thick forest, making them difficult to detect through aerial surveillance.
“Further operations in Oloma, Krakarma, and Elelenwo led to the interception of three suspected oil thieves transporting 10,000 litres of stolen products in a wooden boat. In Degema LGA, security forces dismantled four illegal refining sites, confiscated 9,600 litres of stolen crude, and destroyed four boats used for illicit activities.
“In Bayelsa, suspected oil thieves opened fire on troops, but were overpowered and fled. Following the clash, security forces recovered over 12,000 litres of stolen crude and 9,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. Other items seized included seven wheelbarrows and a motorcycle used for illegal refining activities.
“Similarly, in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites and seized 18 metal oven tanks, metal pipes, hoses, and dugout pits containing 5,800 litres of stolen crude. Along Biseni-Samabiri Road, operatives intercepted a Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks.
“The occupants abandoned their vehicle and fled upon sighting troops. Similarly, over 4,000 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in two separate residential buildings were recovered after the occupants fled.
“In Delta State, operatives intercepted a truck carrying 35,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, while in Warri South LGA, security forces dismantled five boats used for illegal refining and confiscated 4,000 litres of stolen crude. Additional seizures were made at Obodo Omadino, Ogbe-Ijoh Market, Ughoton, and Alele Communities, where multiple illegal refining sites and storage facilities were discovered.
“In Akwa Ibom, security agents foiled an attempt to smuggle petroleum products across international waters. Troops intercepted 5,600 litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit packed in 20 jerrycans of 280 litres each at Oron LGA, a key maritime exit point,” he said.
Commending the troops for their operational success, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding, 6 Division Port Harcourt, reiterated the military’s resolve to end oil theft in the Niger Delta.
“The message is clear: turn to legitimate business or be ready to face severe consequences. Security agencies will sustain pressure on oil thieves and economic saboteurs,” the Army GOC stated.
The Nigerian Army further warned those involved in illegal oil refining to desist, urging communities to support efforts aimed at protecting national economic assets.
“The war against oil theft is critical to restoring Nigeria’s dwindling oil revenue, as the government loses billions of naira annually due to illegal refining and pipeline vandalism.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has disclosed that average litres of fuel consumed daily by the country decreased by about 18.6 per cent to 48.0 million litres in June 2025 from the 59.0 million litres recorded in May 2025.
The Director of Public Affairs for NMDPRA, Mr George Ene-Ita, confirmed this in a report on Wednesday, noting that for the full month, the fuel consumption also went down by 16.4 per cent or 290 million litres to 1,440,768,129 litres from the previous month’s 1,768,812,804 litres.
Breaking down the fuel supply figures, the NMDPRA report stated that in June, the Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), called diesel, saw a slight increase in supply by 1.73 per cent, reaching 432.18 million litres compared to May’s 424.83 million litres.
In spite of this, diesel distribution (truck-out) declined by 23.23 per cent, falling from 552.35 million litres in May to 424.06 million litres in June.
It further showed that the Household Kerosene (HHK) supply and distribution both recorded a 13 per cent decrease, with June figures at 7.79 million litres, down from nearly nine million litres in May.
The sharpest decline was seen in automotive gasoline supply, which dropped by nearly 48 per cent from 72.36 million litres in May to 37.66 million litres in June.
Distribution also fell by 16.54 per cent within the same period.
The NMDPRA’s report also detailed fuel truck-out volumes to individual states, totalling the 1.44 billion litres evacuated in June.
The report showed that Lagos received the highest volume at 205.66 million litres, followed by Ogun with 88.69 million litres, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 77.51 million litres, and Oyo with 72.81 million litres.
The decline in overall supply and distribution suggests continued challenges in the petroleum midstream and downstream sectors, impacting national fuel consumption patterns in June.
The NMDPRA, then, pledged to work closely with relevant stakeholders to strengthen distribution and guarantee the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.
By Adedapo Adesanya
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday discharged the embattled Ms Comfort Emmason of charges bordering on unruly behaviour and assaulting the flight crew aboard an Ibom Air aircraft from Uyo to Lagos on Monday.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the five-count charge against Ms Emmason after the police prosecution team withdrew the case.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecuting council, Mrs Oluwabunmi Adeitan, informed the court of new developments that necessitated the withdrawal.
She tendered an application to the court for the withdrawal of the case, which was admitted by the court.
Earlier today, the federal government announced the withdrawal of a criminal complaint against Ms Emmanson.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday morning, noting that this followed consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector over recent incidents involving disruptive conduct at Nigerian airports.
According to the Minister, Ms Emmanson, had showed “great remorse” during a police interview in the presence of her lawyer.
As a result, Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint, with the Police expected to complete steps for her release from Kirikiri Prisons within the week.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has also agreed to lift the lifetime flight ban earlier imposed on her.
In a related development, popular Fuji musician, Mr Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1 had his six months ban reduced to one-month following an earlier fracas while the pilots involved in the matter also had their suspension reduced to one-month with their licenses re-activated upon expiry of the punishment.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has gotten a September 2025 deadline to close the prosecution of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Sambo Dasuki, over alleged money laundering, a case which has been in court for over 10 years.
The Federal High Court through Justice Peter Lifu fixed September 24, 25, and 26 for the government to call any remaining witnesses and tender all exhibits in support of the charges.
Mr Dasuki, who was first arraigned in 2015 was facing a seven-count amended charge and was expected to open his defence once the prosecution closed its case.
At the last hearing, a prosecution witness, Mr Monsur Mohammed, told the court that following Mr Dasuki’s arrest, his residences in Abuja, Kaduna, and Sokoto were searched for arms and cash.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Mr Oladipupo Okpeseyi (SAN), the witness, an exhibits keeper with the Department of State Services (DSS), listed items recovered from Dasuki’s Abuja residence at 46, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro.
He claimed that at Mr Dasuki’s House at 46, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, found items include two Compact Disc of Freedom Radio on Jokolo, two GT Bank Cheque books, two blackberries phones, Nokia phone, flash drive, Apple Laptop and statement of account as part of items found in the house.
Others were a Visa card, approval letter of a radio station granted to Afri-Media Integrated Ltd, one CD on arrest and execution of Mohammed Yusuf, $500 and 533 Saudi Riyadh.
Also recovered were an HSBC account book and a Cheque book of Habibson Ltd of a Mr Abubakar Ibrahim.
The court admitted the items as Exhibits MSD 015 to 034 following no objection from Dasuki’s lawyer, Mr Ahmed Usman.
It was also revealed that at Mr Dasuki’s residence in Sabo Birni, Sokoto State, the exhibits keeper claimed that $150,000 were recovered in the house and subsequently deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The prosecutor said he would ask the DSS to bring the cash to court to be tendered as exhibits.
At the Sultan Abubakar Road, Sokoto house, the witness told the court that no items were found.
At this stage, the federal government counsel applied for an adjournment to enable him bring before the court other items found in Mr Dasuki’s house during the four search warrants executed in the houses.
Justice Lifu while granting the adjournment request directed the federal government to be ready to close its case against the defendant and for Dasuki to open his defence.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until September 24, 25 and 26.
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