News
… Illegal Refinery Uncovered In Rivers
A makeshift illegal refinery located in the confines of one of the communities in Ahoada West local government of Rivers State has been uncovered by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The Tide On Sunday gathered that the refinery is responsible for producing and circulating adulterated petroleum products in the state.
The NSCDC officials could not ascertain its production capacity, it was gathered that dealers within Bayelsa and Delta states patronize the facility.
Acting on a tip-off by patriotic citizens, the NSCDC stormed the area as the operators took to their heels into the nearby bush abandoning their equipment.
The refinery is located deep in the forest of a community called Odihiogbo in the local government area.
The Tide On Sunday was reliably informed that the criminals had earlier resisted men of the civil defence, who went unarmed to the place. It was only when the Sector Joint Task Force (JTF) in the area stormed the premises that some arrests were made.
Exhibits recovered from the facility include two outboard engines, one pumping machine, seventeen 20 litre jerry cans containing adulterated petroleum products and four Jetta saloon cars.
Confirming the development, spokesman for the NSCDC, Mr John Olubuah told The Tide On Sunday that about six suspects were apprehended at the facility.
The suspects include Hamida Idris, Tony Ishiaku, Luka Tanko, Ola Ojebada, Abubakar Adamu and Mohammed Ibrahim and they are currently cooling their heels in the agency’s custody.
The civil defence spokesman explained that from the exhibits recovered from them, the suspects engage in vandalizing pipelines around the area from where they crudely refine it for public consumption.
Lamenting the activities of vandals in the state, Mr Olubuah assured that the agency would not relent in carrying out its responsibility of securing and protecting government facilities, declaring that the suspects would be sued to court.
He described activities of vandals as sabotage to the economy of the country since crude oil remains the main source of revenue for the federal government.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
