News
Police Bust Oil Theft Syndicate, Nab One In Rivers
Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (STFPIB) have arrested 54-year-old man, Chukwudi Okafor who is believed to be a member of a syndicate responsible for illegal oil bunkering in Rivers State.
He was nabbed with a 40-feet container truck while conveying a large quantity of crude oil products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stuffed in sacks.
According to the police, the syndicate with a long chain of drivers and workers move these products from the bushes from one location to another till they get to the final buyer.
Most of the drivers might not be aware of the real source of the products they are carrying or the location where they were picked.
“They are getting smarter and inventing ways of evading arrest. It’s a long chain and operatives are on their trail and a major breakthrough will be announced very soon”, the police sources explained.
During interrogation, Chukwudi, who was driving the truck with Registration Number JRV 322 XV claimed to have lost count of the number of trucks that he was paid to deliver to several buyers within Rivers and neighbouring states.
A native of Imo, Chukwudi, who promised to help the operatives nab his employers, lamented that his greatest mistake was not querying the source of the stolen product.
He said: “I am a professional truck driver and I am based in Rivers State. I was employed as a driver years ago and my job is just to drive for the haulage company that contracted me.
“Normally, I do not have issues with the way when I present the covering documents they gave me for each trip. It was when the police arrested me that I realised that all the documents were fake.
“I have lost count of the number of tankers that I delivered to our customers who are mostly owners of petrol stations in Rivers, Abia, Imo, Edo and sometimes, Abuja. My job is to drive to any location and get paid.”
On where exactly the products were sourced from, he said: “We have many drivers and I am one of them. I have never entered the place where they fill the tanks or bags. One of our company drivers will drive it to our pick-up point and I will deliver it to the owners. I am sorry that I did not query to know if it was stolen or not. I assumed that it was scarcity of drums that made them to pack it in sacks.
“I was told that there are so many stolen products and I am not in doubt because some of our fellow drivers have confirmed it to me. They said that they are cautious of the time they move to avoid being arrested by security men on patrol. My only mistake is that I did not query why they packed the oil inside sacks. I am ready to assist the police to catch my employers.”
On the breakthrough, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, had earlier ordered tactical and intelligence commanders of the Force to re-strategise methods used in tackling perpetrators of economic crimes.
“The IGP stressed that the actions of these economic saboteurs have become worrisome due to the huge losses being recorded as a result of their criminal activities. He issued the directives while charging the newly appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB), Lot Lantoh Garba, to improve on the fight against economic crimes. ACP Lot, a gallant and courageous officer, has served in various operational command positions including as Commanding Officer, Special Protection Unit (SPU) and a one-time Commander, Police Mobile Force (PMF) 23 Obalende, Lagos.
“Upon assumption of office, ACP Lot set the ball rolling which has led to immediate restructuring of the task force, and continuous decimation of the operations of criminal elements responsible for the theft of crude oil and other petroleum products, as well as illegal bunkering in the country.
“The current breakthrough in PortHarcourt, Rivers State was achieved while operatives were on surveillance patrol.
“Preliminary investigations have shown that the driver is a member of a high-powered syndicate responsible for illegal bunkering in the area and beyond, and the arrest of the driver has definitely provided a lead to the arrest of other members of the syndicate. The recovered truck with the accompanying product is currently in police custody at the Refinery Life Camp Division, Eleme, pending the conclusion of investigations.
“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, warns police operatives attached to the Task Force to be focused, committed, and patriotic. He charged them to discharge their duties devoid of corruption, favouritism, and compromise. The IGP further warns all economic saboteurs to cease their unwholesome activities henceforth else they would be made to face the full wrath of the law. The Force is deepening synergy with other agencies in internal security to curtail the trend of these crimes and other forms of crimes and social vices in the country,” he stated.Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (STFPIB) have arrested 54-year-old man, Chukwudi Okafor who is believed to be a member of a syndicate responsible for illegal oil bunkering in Rivers State.
He was nabbed with a 40-feet container truck while conveying a large quantity of crude oil products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stuffed in sacks.
According to the police, the syndicate with a long chain of drivers and workers move these products from the bushes from one location to another till they get to the final buyer.
Most of the drivers might not be aware of the real source of the products they are carrying or the location where they were picked.
“They are getting smarter and inventing ways of evading arrest. It’s a long chain and operatives are on their trail and a major breakthrough will be announced very soon”, the police sources explained.
During interrogation, Chukwudi, who was driving the truck with Registration Number JRV 322 XV claimed to have lost count of the number of trucks that he was paid to deliver to several buyers within Rivers and neighbouring states.
A native of Imo, Chukwudi, who promised to help the operatives nab his employers, lamented that his greatest mistake was not querying the source of the stolen product.
He said: “I am a professional truck driver and I am based in Rivers State. I was employed as a driver years ago and my job is just to drive for the haulage company that contracted me.
“Normally, I do not have issues with the way when I present the covering documents they gave me for each trip. It was when the police arrested me that I realised that all the documents were fake.
“I have lost count of the number of tankers that I delivered to our customers who are mostly owners of petrol stations in Rivers, Abia, Imo, Edo and sometimes, Abuja. My job is to drive to any location and get paid.”
On where exactly the products were sourced from, he said: “We have many drivers and I am one of them. I have never entered the place where they fill the tanks or bags. One of our company drivers will drive it to our pick-up point and I will deliver it to the owners. I am sorry that I did not query to know if it was stolen or not. I assumed that it was scarcity of drums that made them to pack it in sacks.
“I was told that there are so many stolen products and I am not in doubt because some of our fellow drivers have confirmed it to me. They said that they are cautious of the time they move to avoid being arrested by security men on patrol. My only mistake is that I did not query why they packed the oil inside sacks. I am ready to assist the police to catch my employers.”
On the breakthrough, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, had earlier ordered tactical and intelligence commanders of the Force to re-strategise methods used in tackling perpetrators of economic crimes.
“The IGP stressed that the actions of these economic saboteurs have become worrisome due to the huge losses being recorded as a result of their criminal activities. He issued the directives while charging the newly appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB), Lot Lantoh Garba, to improve on the fight against economic crimes. ACP Lot, a gallant and courageous officer, has served in various operational command positions including as Commanding Officer, Special Protection Unit (SPU) and a one-time Commander, Police Mobile Force (PMF) 23 Obalende, Lagos.
“Upon assumption of office, ACP Lot set the ball rolling which has led to immediate restructuring of the task force, and continuous decimation of the operations of criminal elements responsible for the theft of crude oil and other petroleum products, as well as illegal bunkering in the country.
“The current breakthrough in PortHarcourt, Rivers State was achieved while operatives were on surveillance patrol.
“Preliminary investigations have shown that the driver is a member of a high-powered syndicate responsible for illegal bunkering in the area and beyond, and the arrest of the driver has definitely provided a lead to the arrest of other members of the syndicate. The recovered truck with the accompanying product is currently in police custody at the Refinery Life Camp Division, Eleme, pending the conclusion of investigations.
“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, warns police operatives attached to the Task Force to be focused, committed, and patriotic. He charged them to discharge their duties devoid of corruption, favouritism, and compromise. The IGP further warns all economic saboteurs to cease their unwholesome activities henceforth else they would be made to face the full wrath of the law. The Force is deepening synergy with other agencies in internal security to curtail the trend of these crimes and other forms of crimes and social vices in the country,” he stated.
News
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.
