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NSCDC Parades 20 Suspects, 11 Trucks Laden With Illegally Refined Products
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) has reiterated that oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and illegal oil refining activities must be checked, assuring that the corp has intensified its fight against the menace.
The NSCDC Commandant in Rivers State, Abdu Tambuwal, stated this while parading 20 suspected oil thieves, 11 trucks, 10 salon cars and buses laden with suspected illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Tambuwal, who disclosed that the arrests were made between January 22, 2022 and February 1, 2022, explained that the issue of oil theft and illegal oil bunkering has been a disturbing issue in Rivers State, which he said was a strategic state in the country.
He said the feat was made by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, deployed to the state to carry out microscopic investigation and monitoring of oil pipelines in the state in a bid to curtail vandals against the nefarious activities of oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other related matters.
“Oil theft must be checked. NSCDC is all out for this very important and strategic fight, which we must win. The directive from the Commandant General is that we must intensify the fight against illegal oil bunkering and also illegal activities by vandals and other miscreants in the state.
“We must vigorously carryout series of marine operations and land operations in the state to ensure effective service delivery.
“Today, 1st of February, 2022, we are parading 20 suspected oil thieves, 11 trucks laden with illegally refined AGO, 10 cars and buses laden with suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in sack bags.
“The ongoing fight against vandalism of the critical Assets and Infrastructures in Rivers State will not stop until the state is rid of most, if not all the oil thieves who are bent on causing environmental hazards.
“I came with the mandate from my Commandant General,Dr. Ahmed Audi, to make sure all the oil thieves within and around Rivers State either relocate from Rivers state or stay clear of all the pipelines.
“On 22nd January, 2022 at about 0058hrs, two suspected oil thieves were arrested at an illegal bunkering site in Emohua LGA of the state.
“On 28th January, 2022 at about 0207yrs at Rumuekpe in Emohua LGA, nine suspected oil thieves were arrested with illegally refined AGO and DPK stacked in three different SUB Toyota cars.
“On 31st January, 2022 at about 2330hrs along Abonnema Wharf Road, the Command recovered a Black Volkswagen Golfcar with Reg. No. Lagos TE769XAA loaded with unspecified quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO.
“Also within the same area, and time, a green Honda Accord car with registration number Lagos, KRD116EH loaded with unspecified quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in sacks was recovered from the suspect named, Jack Ofonye ‘Male’ 32years.
“Today, the 1st February, 2022 at about 0610hrs, the command also impounded three vehicles laden with unspecified quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in sack bags.
“Vehicles recovered are as follow, a black Sequoia Jeep with registration number Abuja GWA422JF; Chevrolet white bus with registration number Rivers AFM222XA and a white Chevrolet express bus with registration number Abuja GWA967YR.”
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.