Crime
Navy arrests 13 suspected crude oil thieves, says kingpins won’t be spared
Navy arrests 13 suspected crude oil thieves, says kingpins won’t be spared
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Mohammed Hassan, on Saturday, confirmed the arrest of 13 suspected crude oil thieves on board Motor Tanker (MT) Sweet Miri off the coast of Nigerian waters.
Hassan told newsmen aboard the vessel that the motor tanker was ladened with almost two million litres of products suspected to be crude oil and had no naval approval onboard.
The FOC, who is also the Commander, Joint Taskforce Operation Awase, South West, said thorough investigations to ensure that kingpins of crude oil theft were brought to book would be carried out.
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He said the launch of Operation Delta Sanity by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla had further spurred naval men towards fighting crude oil theft with more vigour.
“On Feb. 15, our radar detected a dark ship, meaning, she hide all forms of investigation as far as 174 Nautical Miles off the coast of Nigeria heading westward towards Republic of Benin.
“We dispatched Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Aba to go and investigate the contact, we subsequently followed the investigation by dispatching NNS Sokoto to double-up the search and interdiction.
“MT Sweet Miri, is a vessel that has been on the watch list of the Nigerian Navy for some time and has been arrested for suspicion of crude oil theft,” the FOC said.
Hassan said the vessel was opened for other agencies to come and take samples and carryout their own independent investigations to find out the culpability of the vessel of interest.
“We are happy to contribute further in the fight against crude oil theft and we will continue to double-up on our efforts in this regard.
“We think that most of this theft is carried out from abandoned well heads at sea.
“There are so many spread out all over and there is a need to decommission these oil heads as they provide avenues for thieves to take advantage of,” he said.
Hassan reiterated the commitment of the Navy under the instructions of the CNS to clamp down on kingpins following the arrest of MT Vinnalaris 1 Lagos, in December 2023 in Ondo State.
He said the CNS had directed that all arrests must be properly investigated and justice served.
“So, we are not just to stop at the level of crew arrest but to also go after kingpins and with the case of MT Vinnalaris, we have done a good job.
“We have gotten the people involved in the theft and that includes the managerial level of the company that owns the ship.
“We just have one more person to pickup who has absconded outside Nigeria but we are waiting for him,” the FOC said.
Hassan gave credit to the DSS for being a formidable organisation and for doing a great job particularly in matters of investigations brought to them.
Navy arrests 13 suspected crude oil thieves, says kingpins won’t be spared
EFCC, Taskforce arrests 34 suspected currency speculators in Abuja
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, attached to the Taskforce on Currency Mutilation, Dollarization of the Economy and Forex Malpractice, have arrested 34 suspected currency speculators for alleged foreign exchange fraud.
They were arrested on Friday, April 26, 2024, in a sting operation following credible intelligence about illegal sales of dollars at the Wuse Zone 4 area of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
The suspects are :Usman Mohammed, Abdullahi Nasir, Abubakar Saleh, Mohammed Kabir Ibrahim, Abubakar Ghadafi, Muktar Usman, Umar Abubakar Abba, Yakubu Sani, Aminu Abubakar, Muhammed Suleman Abara, Yusuf Tahir, Usman Lawal, Usman Lawal, Usman Umar, Amina Garba Rola, Muhammed Aliyu, Murtala Haruna, Sani Mohammed, Umar Farouk, Muhammed Sagiuru, Aminu Salisu, Lawal Bello, Munzali Hashim, Jamilu Suleiman, Mustapha Umar, Mubarak Tanimu, Adamu Garba, Mohammed Usman, Bello Musa, Saleh Mohammed Naseer, Zaharadeen Yau, Musa Umaru Adamu, Usman Machido and Abdulaziz Abubakar Abba.
Their arrest came on the heels of the EFCC’s consistent efforts to sanitise and stabilise the foreign exchange market.
They will soon be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
EFCC, Taskforce arrests 34 suspected currency speculators in Abuja
Police arrest 16 cultists, declare 21 others wanted in Anambra
The police command in Anambra has arrested 16 notorious cultists and declared 21 others wanted following intensified efforts to end the resurgence of cult-related killings in Awka, the state capital.
This is contained in a press release made available to journalists in Awka on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The release stated that the Police Command tracked down and arrested no fewer than 16 notorious cultists involved in lots of mayhem in Anambra.
It also noted that 21 other cultists who are now on the run have been declared wanted by the State Police Command.
The arrested cultists who were nabbed during a series of intelligence-led manhunt have been detained on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye.
The CP also charged the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) to redouble its efforts and hunt down those who are still at large among the identified cultists.
The Commissioner also called on Community and Religious leaders to speak out against the evil of cultism in the society.
Police arrest 16 cultists, declare 21 others wanted in Anambra
Insecurity: Troops repel IPOB/ESN terrorists attack in Okija, neutralise several fighters
Nigerian Army troops have successfully repelled an attack by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.
In a post on its X Handle on Friday, the Nigerian Army said the dissidents, armed with AK-47 rifles and riding in two Lexus vehicles and motorbikes, launched a surprise attack on the town, opening fire at troops engaged in internal security operations.
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It said the troops swiftly and decisively responded and countered the attack, neutralising unconfirmed numbers of the attackers, while others fled the scene with gunshot wounds, as traces of blood were seen along their escape route.
According to the post, one soldier paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, while two others sustained critical injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and will continue to confront all threats to peace and stability in the region.
“The bravery and dedication of our troops in the face of danger are testimonies of their unwavering commitment to protecting the people and communities,” it added.
Insecurity: Troops repel IPOB/ESN terrorists attack in Okija, neutralise several fighters
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