General
Crude Oil Theft: Navy Dismantles Sabotaged Wellhead
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, at the weekend, dismantled and excavated an over 2-kilometre illegally attached oil pipeline from well 17 within the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 oilfield in Elem-Krakrama Creek, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the wellhead has just been fixed and has not yet been commissioned for use by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
The facility has been used by some oil thieves to steal crude oil, with an illegal tapping point of 8 inches pipeline running over 2 kilometres in multiple directions into the creeks mounted on it.
Business Post had reported that the Nigerian Navy had uncovered two sabotaged wellheads at Kala-Ekweama and Elem-Krakama creeks in Asari-Toru and Degema within the OML18 field, with four suspected oil thieves arrested in the process.
Supervising the excavation of the illegal pipeline in collaboration with officials of NNPC Limited, the Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Ibrahim Suleiman, said the oil theft point was spotted by Naval’s patrol helicopter.
He expressed shock at the level of sophistication of the oil thieves, saying such large-scale theft cannot be masterminded by petty thieves or amateurs but by a syndicate of high-level experts.
The NNS Pathfinder boss further said the Navy was already tracking the people involved, saying that though no arrests have been made in relation to the theft point on OML18 wellheads, the Navy was working with sister security agencies who specialized in such investigations.
“We came here with officials of NNPC Limited operators of OML18. We came with our heavy-duty equipment to make sure we dismantled the illegal structures that were being used to siphon crude illegally. A lot of pipes have been recovered from the wellhead, and we have disconnected where they are being connected to.
“As an individual, what I have seen here is way beyond what I have seen elsewhere. The level of sophistication is beyond our imagination. The individuals involved had taken their time and done a lot of measurements, and a lot of welding was done here.”
Meanwhile, operatives of NNS Pathfinder, while on patrol with Krakrama Creek, apprehended four suspects engaged in illegal diesel bunkering.
The four suspects, who claimed to be indigenes of Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa State, upon interrogation, claimed that they were paid between N15,000 and N20,000 to transport illegally refined diesel from the creeks to the Borokiri area of Port Harcourt.
One of the suspects, identified as Morrison, who claims to be a graduate, said, “I came to hustle in the creek. I came to Krakrama to buy diesel from a man named Oboy. I was contacted by an agent. Along the line, we were arrested by the Navy patrol team.”
However, the NNS Pathfinder Commander assured that the four suspects would be handed over to the prosecuting agencies for further investigation and prosecution.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Tunji Disu, has been charged to do everything within his powers to restore peace and strengthen security across the nation.
This task was given to the new police chief by President Bola Tinubu after being decorated at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.
Mr Disu was chosen to succeed Mr Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday. His appointment is expected to be approved by the Nigeria Police Council and confirmed by the Senate next week.
President Tinubu described Mr Disu’s appointment as coming at a critical moment, urging him to rebuild public confidence in the police’s capacity to do their job in collaboration with other security forces.
“I made this decision for you to assume this responsibility. I know your record. I saw the dedication you exhibited while you were in Lagos when I was governor,” the President said.
“Lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level and ensure that the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority. It’s a daunting challenge. I know you can do it. You have my word, you have my full support,” he added.
Mr Tinubu urged him to advance the security pillars of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed confidence in the Acting IGP’s discipline, operational experience and leadership capacity.
“Nigeria is challenged with banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities. You will be part of the thinking and innovation to overcome them,” the President said, reaffirming his belief that Nigeria would prevail under a committed leadership.
The President also paid tribute to Mr Egbetokun, who was present with his spouse, saying, “We are a grateful nation. Nigeria appreciates your contribution to maintaining law and order.”
He urged Egbetokun to be ready to offer useful advice to his successor and wished him and his family peace, good health and success in future endeavours, noting,
“You have not succeeded without a good successor. His success will also be part of your legacy.”
Mr Tinubu urged all security stakeholders to work collectively to safeguard lives and property during this critical period.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has lamented how “people now defraud the government and individuals and invest in real estate.”
He raised this concern when he received the executives of the Association of Real Estate and Property Managers (AREAPM) in Edo State on Wednesday.
The EFCC chief, represented by the acting Zonal Director and Deputy Commander of the Commission, Mr Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, warned real estate managers against money laundering.
“We have noted with grave concern that fraudsters are laundering money and hiding proceeds of crime through real estate and property. People now defraud the government and individuals and invest in real estate,” he stated.
He noted that the agency would continue to discharge its statutory mandate of bringing those who seek to circumvent the system to book.
“As a commission, we recognise the role of Real Estate and Property Managers. Property Managers are designated non-financial businesses and professions.
“So, we expect them to be professionals and uphold the relevant rules and regulations in the discharge of their duties,” he stated, adding that, “The commission will apply the laws when there is a breach of relevant rules and regulations.”
He assured the AREAPM executives of the organisation’s willingness to collaborate with them in dealing with fraud and criminality in the sector.
“We have a unit, the Land and Property Fraud Section, which attends to issues in that regard. So, when you have challenges, you can report to us,” he stated.
In his remarks, the chairman of AREAPM in Edo State, Mr Akpesiri Michael Egbonoje, stated that the essence of the visit was to seek areas of collaboration with the commission and work out ways of combating real estate financial crimes and fraud in the state.
“Part of our strategy is to familiarise ourselves with law enforcement agencies in the state and seek for collaborative relationships. As a body, we cannot do it alone; we need help in the areas of financial crimes.
“We have tried to sanitise the space, but we realised that your agency is at the apex when it comes to dealing with financial crimes.
“We believe that structured collaboration between AREARM and the EFCC will promote financial transparency, investor confidence, and accountability within the real estate sector.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Coroner’s Court sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court has announced April 14, 2026, for the commencement of an inquiry into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege.
Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the date on Wednesday when the matter came up before the court.
The twin child, Nkanu, died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.
The child was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness.
The family had sought initial care as arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States. Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line.
However, the child passed away following the procedures.
His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death.
According to a leaked internal message sent privately to family members and close friends at the time, Ms Adichie blamed the staff of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, located in Victoria Island, Lagos, for causing the demise of the lad.
“My son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th,” she wrote in a broadcast message confirmed later on.
“We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child,” she also wrote in the lengthy message.
The 48-year-old writer had her first child, a daughter, in 2016. In 2024, her twin boys were born using a surrogate.
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