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
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed January 7 to hear the bail application of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, over alleged money laundering.
Recall that the same court had ordered the remand of Mr Malami at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, his son, Abdulaziz, and one of his wives, Mrs Bashir Asabe, are standing trial predicated on a 16-count charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trio, who are accused of laundering N8.7 billion, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were arraigned on December 29, 2025.
Following their plea of not guilty, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre till January 2, 2026, when their written bail application would be argued by his legal team.
In the charge, identified as FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the defendants were accused of conspiring to conceal, disguise, and retain proceeds from illegal activities.
The indictment claimed that they used multiple bank accounts, corporate entities, and high-value real estate transactions over nearly ten years to indirectly acquire the illicit funds.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences took place between 2015 and 2025, primarily within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during Malami’s time as the country’s Attorney-General.
The EFCC alleged that Malami and his son used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to hide N1.014 billion in a Sterling Bank account from July 2022 to June 2025.
They were also accused of depositing an additional N600.01 million between September 2020 and February 2021.
The properties in question include a luxury duplex on Amazon Street, Maitama, purchased for N500 million; a property on Onitsha Crescent, Garki, bought for N700 million; and another in Jabi District for N850 million.
Additional acquisitions include real estate on Rhine Street, Maitama (N430 million); in Asokoro District (N210 million and N325 million); and at Efab Estate, Gwarimpa (N120 million).
The EFCC further alleges that Mr Malami used unlawful proceeds totaling N952 million to acquire multiple properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi between 2018 and 2023.
The acquisitions were allegedly made through proxies and corporate entities to obscure ownership.
The commission claimed that the alleged actions violate the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Association of Plant Operators (NAPO) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations of tax deduction and non-remittance fraud linked to the NLNG Train 7 project.
Train 7 is a major expansion project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) facility on Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. It involves building a seventh “train” (processing unit) at the LNG plant to significantly increase Nigeria’s LNG production capacity and strengthen the country’s role as a global supplier of cleaner energy.
NAPO’s President General, Mr Harold Benstowe, alongside four other officials, appeared at the EFCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office in Port Harcourt, to adopt a petition accusing Daewoo Engineering & Construction Nigeria and others of alleged unlawful tax deductions from workers on the multibillion-dollar NLNG Train 7 gas plant construction project.
According to NAPO, the EFCC received the delegation and guided them through the formal adoption of the petition, paving the way for what the union described as a “proper forensic investigation” into the alleged financial misconduct.
“The EFCC has assured the victims that it will conduct a thorough investigation to get to the root of the matter,” Mr Benstowe said, describing the development as a major step toward accountability in the construction segment of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
It also raised that the allegations strike at the heart of compliance risks surrounding one of Nigeria’s most strategic gas investments, with potential implications for contractors, regulators and investor confidence in large-scale energy projects.
Mr Benstowe called on workers involved in the NLNG Train 7 project to actively support the investigation by submitting documentary evidence, particularly payslips allegedly showing tax deductions by Daewoo E&C Nigeria.
“We encourage all affected workers to freely come forward with more evidence to assist the EFCC in carrying out a comprehensive investigation,” he said.
He also dismissed reports of intimidation, warning that the union would resist any attempts to suppress whistleblowers.
“All victims should ignore threats or discouragement from any quarters. This is no longer business as usual. We are prepared for a big showdown to ensure everyone involved is brought to book,” Mr Benstowe declared.
The NAPO leader framed the petition as part of a broader struggle for financial transparency and workers’ rights in Nigeria’s oil and gas construction value chain, stressing that the outcome would send a strong signal to contractors operating on high-value energy projects.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has unveiled its institutional brand identity as it officially transition from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the newly established revenue collection agency as gazetted.
The transition was marked with the unveiling of the agency’s new logo, according to a statement from Mr Dare Adekanmbi, special adviser to the chairman of NRS, Mr Zacch Adedeji.
Speaking at the unveiling event in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Adedeji said the new identity represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s revenue administration framework.
The taxman said the unveiling reflects a renewed commitment to a more unified, efficient, and service-oriented revenue system aligned with Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda and global best practices.
He said the new identity signals continuity of purpose, strengthened institutional capacity, and a forward-looking approach to supporting taxpayers and national development.
According to the statement, the NRS said it remains committed to transparency, partnership, and service excellence.
“The unveiling of this new identity represents not an end, but the beginning of a strengthened relationship between the revenue authority and the Nigerian public—built on trust, clarity, and shared prosperity,” the statement reads.
It was also stated that the service came into operation following the signing of its enabling law — the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025 — by President Bola Tinubu in June.
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