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Nigerian Navy Impounds Stolen N8.6bn Crude, Others in Three Weeks

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Nigerian Navy Ship KADA

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Navy, through the Troops of Operation Delta Sanity, has deactivated 41 illegal refining sites and impounded stolen crude oil and other products worth N8.6 billion in three weeks.

The Director of Naval Information, Mr Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, a Rear Admiral, made the disclosure in a statement, saying that various Nigerian Navy platforms were deployed for the operation meant to combat oil theft and illegal oil bunkering plaguing Nigeria’s maritime environment.

He said that between February 5 and February 22, a total of 51 wooden boats and three fibre ones were apprehended, while 104 illegal refining ovens, 85 reservoirs and 288 dugout pits were destroyed.

The navy spokesman said approximately 60,815.77 barrels of crude oil, worth N8.1 billion, 557,580 litres of gas worth N497.4 million and N5.5 million worth of Kerosene valued at N5.5 million, were recovered.

“Cumulatively the sum of N8.6 billion that could have been used to perpetrate acts inimical to national security and prosperity was denied the oil thieves,” he added.

Mr Ayo-Vaughan said the Forward Operation Base (FOB) FORMOSO in Bayelsa, on February 19, conducted operations around Brass River, Akassa, Lagosgbene, Tebidaba and Oyeregbene general area.

He said the team discovered an illegal refining site and two wooden boats laden with 62.9 barrels (10,000 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil during the operation.

According to him, the site was dismantled while the boats and products were towed to a safe location and handled appropriately.

“Relatedly, on Feb. 19, FOB ESCRAVOS conducted anti-crude oil theft operations around the Aghor-Kutu Community in Warri Southern Local Government Area of Delta.

“During the operations, the team discovered one IRS, three ovens, one reservoir, one pumping machine, 10 jerricans and 38 drums laden with 195.9 barrels (31,150 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

“Accordingly, the Illegal Refining Site was dismantled while the products were towed to a safe location and handled appropriately.

“Similarly, NN Ship PATHFINDER, conducted operations around Abuloma, Abonnema, Woji, and Taraba jetty in Borikiri, Rivers between Feb. 20 and Feb. 22 and raided a car wash used for storing illegally refined products.

“The team discovered one IRS, seven ovens, 60 drums and two reservoirs laden with about 120,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined gas,” he said.

The Naval spokesman said the team also intensified operations around Cawthorne Channel 1 in Bille general area which led to the discovery of a wellhead where crude oil was being siphoned.

He added that one large wooden boat laden with about 283.0 barrels (45,000 litres) of suspected stolen crude oil was discovered during the operation.

He said the FOB IGBOKODA, on Feb. 21, discovered four wooden boats laden with 1,200 litres of products suspected to be stolen gas at Agadagba in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo.

Mr Ayo-Vaughan also said the NNS SOROH patrol team had on Feb. 21, intercepted two private vehicles conveying 79 sacks of product suspected to be illegally refined gas estimated to be 20,000 litres around Okarki general areas of Bayelsa.

He added that the NSS 030 also intercepted five ovens, nine drums, 25 iron pipes, one pumping machine and one wooden boat laden with about 1,500 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO around Egbosuwy general area.

According to him, the FOB BADAGRY patrol team had on Feb. 22 discovered 9,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO in a building.

“On Feb. 22, the FOB IBAKA patrol team intercepted a large wooden boat from the Republic of Cameroon around Uyenghe in the Ibaka area, Cross River.

“The boat was laden with about 5,100 litres of product suspected to be illegally syphoned petrol concealed under other utility items.

“Accordingly, two suspects and cargo onboard were handed over to the NSCDC for further investigation and prosecution.

“In summary, three IRS, 15 ovens, two reservoirs, eight wooden boats and one fibre boat were appropriately handled during the period under review.

“Additionally, oil thieves were denied about 55,120 bbls (8,764,080 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, 141,200 litres of illegally refined gas and 9,000 litres of illegally siphoned petrol amounting to N7.4 billion.”

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Dangote Unveils Phone Number to Report MRS Stations Selling PMS Above N739

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Dangote monopoly Political Economy of Failure

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.

This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.

“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.

“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.

The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.

Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.

By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.

The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.

“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.

Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.

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ANLCA Airport Chapter Scores Salamatu High on Stakeholder Engagement, Trade Facilitation

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ANLCA Airport Chapter

By Bon Peters

The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.

At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.

At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.

“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.

He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.

The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating  trade and increasing Revenue generation.”

“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.

“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.

“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.

Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.

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FG Declares Holidays for Christmas, New Year Celebrations

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as public holidays

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.

The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.

He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.

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