News
JTF Vows To Dismantle Illegal Refineries …Launches Manhunt For Suspected Militants
The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta codenamed ‘Operation Delta Safe’ has said that its operations in Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw Local Government Council of Bayelsa State were geared towards uprooting a major illegal crude oil refinery camp in the area.
He further assured that the JTF would not leave any stone unturned to exterminate every illegal refinery site in the Niger Delta region to forestall the devastation and pollution of the precious environment by artisanal operators of the production of petroleum products.
Commander of the outfit, Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan, who made this known while briefing journalists at its headquarters at Igbogene, Yenagoa said the camp was operated by a suspected notorious militant leader, Endurance Amaegbe.
Operatives of the Operation Delta Safe had during the operation, which began on June 22 this year, arrested two suspects linked to a suspected militant leader said to own the illegal camp, and seized some items at the illegal refinery site at Igbomotoru.
In recent times, Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has been in the news with community leaders alleging invasion of the community by the military in collaboration with a pipeline surveillance contracting firm and a multinational oil company operating in the area, accusing the soldiers of harassment of natives and some other excesses.
However, Hassan said that the allegation was not the case as the deployment had no business with the people but focused on dismantling an illegal crude oil refinery camp established in the forest of Igbomotoru by a suspected militant leader who has been intimidating communities in Southern Ijaw and other parts of Bayelsa State.
Hassan said a major pipeline conveying crude oil and other critical infrastructure has been vandalised several times by the suspected militant and his group who were bent on operating the illegal refinery, a situation he described as economic sabotage to the country.
Conducting Journalists round the illegal crude oil refinery camp located about 1.5kilometre off Igbomotoru main town, the Commanding Officer of 343 Artillery Regiment, Elele, Lieutenant Colonel Philemon Malgwi, who led the operation, said it began on June 22 this year to dismantle the activities of the suspected oil thieves who were also terrorising people along the waterways.
He said the operation was not limited to Igbomotoru but also to other communities in Southern Ijaw such as Ikebiri, Azuzuama and adjoining creeks following tip offs, information and intelligence gathered.
Journalists on the fact-finding mission at the House Boat at the Igbomotoru river, saw two suspects reported to be boys of Amaegbe, that were arrested at the illegal refinery camp at the forest.
Other items seized during the operation were three fibre speed boats, a generating set, some fake military camouflage uniforms, mobile and cell phones, walkie talkies and a pistol said to be owned by Amaegbe.
Meanwhile, the people of Igbomotoru had, last weekend, appealed to the federal and state governments to intervene and end an alleged ongoing invasion and harassment by military personnel and some armed youths in their communities.
Traditional rulers, leaders of thought as well as youth and women leaders said at a news briefing in Yenagoa, that property of the communities were being destroyed as natives live in palpable fear following the siege by some soldiers and youth employed by a pipeline surveillance contractor for Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) with the alleged connivance of a dethroned paramount ruler of Igbomotoru.
Locals also decried the alleged killings of their kinsmen by some of the armed youths.
Natives of Igbomotoru 1 and 2 communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State alleged that the invasion and attack of the soldiers and armed youths working for the surveillance contracting firm, Darlon Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited at the instance of NAOC was reportedly instigated following a false report given by the dethroned paramount ruler of the community, Chief Aseimiegha Ofongo.
According to them, the invasion by the military personnel and armed youths in six gun boats, a house boat and five speed boats from the contracting firm, started on June 24 as houses of locals, worship centres and other properties were destroyed.
Acting Paramount Ruler of Igbomotoru One Community, Chief Goodluck Alogodei, alleged that under the dethroned paramount ruler from 1997 to 2005, about nine youths lost their lives with 51 houses razed as members of the community continue to live in fear following the unwarranted invasion and attacks.
A Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Festus Emiri, who hails from Igbomotoru, said the whole crisis boils down to the politics of divide and rule deployed by the IOC to intimidate the community.
Counsel to the community, Mr. Stanley Damabide, said several letters had been written to government and various security agencies, yet, the attacks have continued.
In a reaction, Darlon Oil and Gas Limited said that its attention has been drawn to constant media trial by some leaders of Igbomotoru who have consistently accused its management of being involved in a recent military operation in Igbomotoru communities.
A statement by the Chairman, Darlon Oil and Gas Limited, Chief Levi Wilson, indicated that as a registered and responsible oil and gas company saddled with the responsibility to discourage pipeline vandalism and crude oil bunkering activities, the company finds the repeated accusation that management was involved in the stationing of a military base in Igbomotoru communities to intimidate, maim and kill residents of the community, as rather unfortunate and malicious.
It pointed out that its legal team was carefully studying the press release circulated to media outfits across the country, and would come up with the position of Darlon Oil and Gas Limited on the allegations soon.
It also warned those involved in attempts to tarnish the image of the company to desist forthwith, as the management of Darlon Oil and Gas Limited would not hesitate to take legal action against the sponsors and actors of the unfortunate mudslinging campaign.
The company used the medium to inform the general public that the said involvement of management or staff in the military operation at Igbomotoru community was not only false but a figment of the imagination of some sponsors of crude oil bunkering activities who will stop at nothing but tarnish the image of the company and put it out of the way so that they can go about vandalising crude oil facilities.
It said that the clarification became necessary because its mandate was not to carry out military operations against crude oil thieves but to discourage pipeline vandalism and crude oil bunkering activities.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.