General
Troops Destroy 578 Illegal Refineries, Arrest 681 Culprits in Five Months
By Adedapo Adesanya
As Nigeria continues to tackle oil theft on all fronts, troops engaged in the fight in the Niger Delta region destroyed 578 illegal refineries and arrested 681 oil thieves between January- May, 2025.
This was disclosed by the Commander of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral John Okeke Magudu, while giving the latest update.
Oil theft has been regarded as one of the constraints limiting the country from hitting its ambitious 3 million barrels per day target, so military efforts have been taken to staunch the issue.
In the update, the official said the troops also destroyed 13 militants’/sea pirates’ operational bases and recovered 653 illegal weapons within the period.
Some of the arrested suspects have already been convicted, while others are still undergoing trials in various courts of law.
The Commander made this known at a media briefing with Defence correspondents on a tour of operations of OPDS, in the Niger Delta.
Represented by the maritime component commander, Commodore Patrick Meteke, while noting the difficulty in the fight against crude theft, said the criminals take advantage of the swampy, waterlogged terrain crisscrossed by numerous rivers and creeks to carry out their illicit activities.
He listed the prevalence of crime bedeviling the region, which is also threatening the nation’s economy, to include crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering/refining, smuggling, sea robbery, militancy, kidnapping, cultism, communal-related issues, as well as threats to pipeline security.
He said the OPDS consistently conducts operations at flashpoints, maintaining threat levels at a minimum in most cases.
While noting that the non-kinetic strategy adopted by the Joint Task Force has become a force multiplier in winning hearts and minds across host communities, the commander said aside from the military operations targeting illegal refineries and pipeline vandals, OPDS has embarked on community outreach programmes such as free medical outreaches, borehole projects, and school renovations to improve the lives of local populations.
“These humanitarian projects are not just gestures of goodwill; they are part of our broader strategy to build trust with communities,” he explained.
“Through them, we are receiving credible intelligence on criminal hideouts, illegal refinery camps, and planned sabotage attacks. People are more willing to cooperate with us when they see our presence translating into real benefits,” he added.
He further stated that community leaders and youth groups who had before now been suspicious of military presence in their communities now actively participate in intelligence sharing and security sensitization.
The official also said such synergy has led to the dismantling of several illegal refining sites and the arrest of high-profile oil thieves.
“We believe that security must be holistic. “The more stable and empowered these communities are, the less likely they are to harbour or support criminal elements. Development and security must go hand in hand.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos International Trade Fair Complex in the Ojo area of Lagos State was shut down on Wednesday by traders protesting the proposed takeover of the facility by state and local government authorities.
The aggrieved demonstrators emphasised that the complex belongs to the federal government, and if there is a transfer of ownership to the state and local governments, then stakeholders should be carried along.
They expressed concerns that handing over the trade fair complex to the duo could be disruptive, and traders may have to pay more taxes and levies, which will, in turn, result in higher prices of goods.
In protest of the planned takeover, the traders yesterday locked up their shops, especially those in the ASPANDA Market segment within the facility, where spare parts are sold.
Apparently worried about the situation, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms Jumoke Oduwole, visited the market to talk to the traders.
She urged them to reopen the complex, as efforts are being made by the federal government to resolve the issue amicably.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a court order to extend the detention of former Governor of Kaduna State, Mr Nasir El-Rufai.
This order gives the anti-graft agency ample time to finalise its investigation into allegations against the former governor, which has now deepened as a result of some new findings.
Subsequently, the new order, which was granted on Tuesday in the presence of Mr El-Rufai’s lawyer, will expire on Thursday, March 19.
However, Mr El-Rufai’s lawyer, whose application to quash the first remand order was declined by a Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari, has returned to the same court to nullify the latest order.
Justice Okechukwu John Akweke has fixed March 17 to decide whether or not he should set aside the latest detention order.
He said, “Upon hearing and listening to the prosecuting counsel, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha Esq., praying this Honourable court for the following orders:
“An order of this Honourable Court issuing a remand warrant against the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) in favour of the Applicant, i.e. Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to detain the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) in its custody for another fourteen (14) days pending conclusion of investigation activities on allegations of Money Laundering/abuse of office.
“And for such other or further order(s) as this Honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstances. It is hereby ordered that: Application granted as prayed.
“That the Applicant, i.e. the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission ICPC is hereby ordered to re-detain the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) for an additional 14 days to enable the commission to conclude investigation activities.
“That the return date shall be the 19th day of March 2026, for the report of compliance.”
The scrutiny of Mr El-Rufai by the ICPC follows the report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s ad hoc committee constituted in 2024 to investigate finances, loans and contracts awarded between 2015 and 2023 under his eight-year administration of the state.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has begun evacuating willing Nigerians in Iran, escorting them across the Armenian border to ensure their safety amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The evacuation follows the growing crisis that began on February 28 after coordinated military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel.
The attacks triggered retaliatory missile and drone strikes across parts of the region, raising fears of a wider conflict.
The chief executive of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this in a post on her X handle on Tuesday.
She said officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the evacuation of Nigerians who wish to leave the country and are facilitating their safe passage into Armenia.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa also reassured that no Nigerian in Iran has so far been affected by the ongoing tensions, noting that embassy officials remain stationed at the border to receive and assist evacuees.
Her post read, “Willing Nigerians [are] being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage. No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave.”
The development comes as tensions in parts of the Middle East continue to raise concerns over the safety of foreign nationals residing in affected areas.
For repatriation flights, the NiDCOM chair said the airspace is currently unsafe but assured Nigerians in the Middle East that the Federal Government team is on standby to evacuate them.
“And as for repatriation flights, the skies are currently unsafe to fly. Luckily, a flight came in from the UAE to Lagos two days ago, just before another strike and the closure of the airspace.
“Once the airspace opens, the multi-agency FG team on crisis and evacuation is on standby. Our prayers are with you and all our people in affected countries,” she said.
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