News

Navy Nabs 11 Indians, Five Others With Stolen Crude

Published

12 years ago

August 1, 2014

The Nigerian Navy has apprehended 11 Indian nationals, three Ghanaians and two Nigerians in connection with oil theft in Bayelsa State.
The 15 suspects were allegedly arrested by the operatives of the Forward Operating Base of the Central Naval Command while attempting to lift substances suspected to be crude oil from an offshore loading terminal in Brass area of the state.
The vessels to be used to carry out the illicit business were said to have come from Ghana.
Commanding Officer, FOB, Formoso, Egwema, Brass, Capt. Noel Madugu, told our correspondent that the suspects, during the time of arrest, had no permit to lift oil.
Madugu said as of the time of intercepting the vessels and arrest of the suspects, they had yet to carry out the operation.
He said they were arrested while waiting for vessels from the creeks of Bayelsa to be used to load the products for onward movement to a yet-to-be-ascertained destination.
Madugu said, “Our operatives arrested 11 Indian nationals, three Ghanaians and two Nigerians as they were waiting for vessels from the creeks.
“During the time of arrest, the suspects could not provide permits authorising them to load from Agbara platform of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company’s terminal in Brass. Their vessels came from Ghana.”
The commander said the suspects would be handed over to the relevant prosecuting agency after preliminary investigation.
He reiterated that oil criminals had no hiding place in the waterways, urging those involved in the illicit activities to desist from them in their own interest.
Meanwhile, the Navy has said piracy, oil theft and other sea crimes committed in the nation’s maritime domain are mostly perpetuated by foreigners.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade, spoke yesterday on the involvement of foreigners in high seas crimes at the command’s headquarters in Lagos when he hosted crew members of a visiting British ship, HMS Iron Duke.
Alade, who said the navy was poised to take full control of the nation’s waterways by ridding them of private security and criminals, added that the waterways should not be a private affair.
He said: “Given the occurrences on our waters, the navy is now set to take complete ownership. A lot of people and nations have interest in our waters for obvious reasons. With the decline in piracy in the Gulf of Eden, it would not be wrong to say that most of the elements have left that area and found their way in the Gulf of Guinea, including our waters.
“Some foreigners have been arrested in our waters for perpetrating illegalities. Most criminality in our waters is carried out by foreigners and not Nigerians.
“The era when the navy had challenges of platforms will soon be over because we will take delivery of some ships before the end of the year and command our waterways. We will take full command once again and there will be no need for private security here and there because our water is not private.
“We have some private security companies registered with the Nigerian Navy. They have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with us, like Ocean Marine Company. We allow them to operate with their vessels. But normally, we attach our personnel to such vessels.”
On the allegation that multi-national oil companies steal crude in Nigeria’s maritime area, Alade said oil theft was not being treated with kid gloves.
According to him, anyone arrested is appropriately dealt with.
Alade said: “Piracy and illegality on the seas are not beyond us. The responsibility of ensuring the security of the Nigerian maritime domain is that of the Nigerian Navy.
We are poised to take total control of the Nigerian waters and rid it of any form of illegalities.”
The Commanding Officer, HMS Iron Duke, Commander Tom Tredery said the ship came to Nigeria to work and train with the Nigerian Navy.
He said: “We are looking forward to training and exercising together. The role of the navy is to work together and ensure that that freedom and safety are in place. Our range of training includes

L-R: Chairman, Women’s Wing, Eastern Delta People’s Association, Mrs Manuela Izunwa, Keynote Speaker, Prof. Bene Abbey and guest lecturer, Mrs Mina Ogbanga, at the Eastern Delta Women’s Convention in Port Harcourt last Wednesday

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.