Security
Combatting Crude Oil Theft: Naval Operation Eradicates 15,775 Liters Of Illegally Refined Oil In Ondo
In a decisive move against illegal bunkering, the Nigerian Navy, through the Anti Crude Oil Theft (COT) patrol team, obliterated 15,775 litres of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in the Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo state.
The men of the Naval Forward Operating Base intercepted a Cotonou boat, loaded with approximately 5,000 litres of crude oil valued at N13.2 million.
The Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe, mandated to combat COT, executed the destruction of the illicit cargo.
Acting on credible intel, the Task Force tracked and intercepted the wooden boat off the coast of Ojumole and Obe communities in the Ilaje Local Government area.
The crew, realizing the presence of Naval personnel, abandoned the vessel in haste.
Commander Humphrey Nnaji, the Executive Officer of the Base, highlighted the establishment’s role as a force multiplier for the Western Naval Command.
FOB Igbokoda operates under the leadership of Rear Admiral MB Hassan, focusing on policing roles, especially in the Anti-Crude Oil Theft and illegal bunkering efforts.
Commander Nnaji outlined the Base’s recent achievements, underscoring its commitment to combating illegal activities:
Within six weeks of the Commanding Officer’s assumption of command, the Base achieved significant success.
Operations included the interception and destruction of a wooden boat carrying 2,000 litres of suspected illegally refined crude products at Awoye on October 13, 2023.
Acting on credible intelligence, the Base discovered an illegal storage site containing approximately 5,000 litres of illegal POL products at Ugbo-Nla on October 18.
This site was promptly destroyed following OPDS directives.
On October 27, the Base disrupted an Illegal Refining Site (IRS) at Obe-Akinboye, Obenla community, under reactivation for illegally refining Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The site was obliterated as per the mandate.
On October 30, the Base uncovered a storage facility for illegally refined products at Old Market Road, Igbokoda, containing 11 containers totaling 275 litres. Subsequently, on November 14, an illegal storage site at Mahin was discovered, holding 96 drums and 3 x 300 litres drums of illegally refined POL products, approximately 3,500 litres in total.
Commander Nnaji reassured the residents of Igbokoda and its environs, emphasizing the Base’s commitment to breaking the cycle of criminality.
The Base aims to provide a stable, peaceful environment for citizens to conduct legitimate businesses without fear or intimidation, fostering unhindered economic activities.
A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.
Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.
Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside.
But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.
A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.
Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.
It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.
As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.
In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.
At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding a lasting solution to the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State.
Speaking at Operation Safe Haven headquarters in Jos during an operational visit in the aftermath of attacks in some communities of the Bokkos Local Government Area LGA) of the state, Ribadu promised to end the killings.
Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.
The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.
Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.
Also, speaking about the killings, the District Head of Manguna wants the government to provide more security personnel in the affected communities to curb rural-urban migration.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed sadness over the recent frightening attacks by terror groups on defenseless communities in Plateau State, which resulted in the tragic deaths of several people, including children.
The forum calls on the federal government to be constitutionally responsible for the protection of the lives and properties of citizens. It said this will ensure that such renewed attacks and killings on the Plateau and other communities in the Northern region and other parts of the country are stopped immediately.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, it asked the Federal Government to declare a state of security emergency on vulnerable and banditry-prone communities and to initiate effective early-warning and early-response strategies that incorporate the participation of community members.
“ACF reiterates its long-standing stance that every new such experience is one too many. Clearly, the people are in great pain, with their situation compounded by existential economic challenges. The killing spree on the Plateau must be stopped immediately, and peace must return to the State,” it said.
It also called on intensified efforts in actionable intelligence gathering, processing, and deployment by all relevant security agencies to establish the immediate and remote causes of the latest skirmishes, as well as for security agencies to investigate, identify, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators and enablers of the attacks.
Furthermore, ACF demanded full compensation for the victims of the attack and the extension of relief to those injured by the attackers.
“ACF deeply mourns the dead and unequivocally condemns the attacks. The Forum particularly extends sympathy and condolence to the affected communities, the Government, and the people of Plateau State,” part of the statement read.
“The Forum identifies with the deep pains of families of the victims, prays to God to grant the deceased eternal rest, for surviving victims to be fortified with strength to bear the losses and for quick return to full health for all who suffered injuries.”
It also asked the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to empower community leaders, elders, clergy, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to embark on community dialogue for conflict resolution, reconciliation, and cooperation.
“Citizens should avail the security agencies with credible information on the activities of insurgents and criminals; and members of the National Assembly to do more to hold the FGN and the national security agencies to account and to demand concrete evidence of a firm resolve to exterminate the current terror on citizens,” the statement added.