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.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor