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Stakeholders List Gains Of Pipeline Surveillance …Say It Has Reduced Oil Theft, Vandalism In N’Delta

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Oil industry stakeholders, including pipeline host communities have expressed satisfaction with pipeline surveillance strategy adopted to secure the nation’s hydrocarbon resources from crude oil thieves, illegal bunkerers and pipeline vandals.
They said that crude oil theft has reduced by over 90percent, saying that this was evident in the reduced availability of illegally refined product and significant improvement in the terminal recovery factor.
Speaking with newsmen during a tour of some pipeline host communities in Rivers and Abia states, the stakeholders said that some of the gains include restoration restoration of peace and improvement in infrastructure projects in host communities, improvement in environmental and health conditions of the people, increase in crude oil production capacity, among others.
Chairman, Okohia Community Development Committee (CDC), in Owaza, Abia State, Sunny Otuke said that the quick response of personnel of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited to the attack on the 12-inch Transfer Niger Pipeline (TNP) running through the area last Wednesday, saved the communities from devastation arising from a major oil spill.
Otuke said that the attack, carried out at about 5:30 am after the surveillance guards had closed from the night shift, would have massively polluted the environment, and praised the technical team from PINL for the quick response to the attack.
The CDC chairman stated; “The response was swift. Even the workers at the camp didn’t have breakfast, they just rushed down to effect the repairs”.
He explained that the oil thieves resorted to breaking pipes out of frustration because the surveillance guards now prevent them from stealing oil from the pipe.
Otuke applauded the policy of pipeline surveillance and the contactors handling the security surveillance, stressing that they have helped to extensively reduce oil theft and illegal refining that were threatening the peace and well-being of the entire community.
At Norkpo community, Tai Local Government Area in Ogoniland, hosting the 24-inch Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and 28-inch Bonny loop line, villagers said that the pipeline surveillance has not only helped to end illegal bunkering but also fostered peace among the people.
Speaking to journalists on the performance of the surveillance contractor handling the Ogoni axis, Paramount Ruler of Norkpo, Chief Augustine Aminikpo, said that since Pipeline Infrastructure came into the community a year ago, they have made peace to reign in Ogoni axis.
He stated; “In fact, before they came in, you cannot wash and keep outside because of bunkering activities that were going on in this our Ogoni axis. The reason we cannot wash and keep outside was because of soot generated from the activities of illegal refinery operators. But now, the bunkering activities have reduced and the soot that was staining our clothes when we spread them outside has ceased, now you can wash and keep outside, 24-hours.
“In fact, SPDC could not pump crude before but due to efforts of PINL, they are pumping 24 hours now. They can pump one week, they can pump two weeks, they can pump one month.
“They have made peace to reign in Ogoni axis, they engage and empower the youths, chiefs and His Royal Majesty. They even engage the people that the pipeline did not pass through their lands, like people of Okrika, Ogu, Wakama”.
He explained that part of the strategy adopted by the company was massive employment of community youths as part of the pipeline surveillance guards.
He added; “In some communities, they engage 20, some 30, some 40. There are three local government areas in Ogoni that the contractor covers. In each of these local governments, they employ more than 200.
“For now, those boys that were involved in bunkering activities have forgotten about bunkering and joined in securing the pipelines”.
Youth Leader of Norkpo community, Osaro Barisua, corroborated Aminikpo’s views, saying; “Before now, there had been series of sabotage on this pipeline, and we discovered that those responsible for it were the jobless youths. But when this new contractor came in and engaged the youths, things have changed.”
Also speaking, Chief Superintendent (CP) Audu Boniface, Head of the Civil Defense Special Forces from National Headquarters, Abuja, attached to the Zone 3, Owaza Camp, said they were on 24/7 surveillance of pipelines and well heads across Owaza in Abia and Rivers states as part of their statutory functions.
He explained, “We have precisely 130 well heads in Owaza and Odogwa. They are up to 80 functioning actively both in Owaza and Odogwa all feeding the Trans Niger Pipeline. We have spent about four months here and so far, so good. We have made so many arrests and so many prosecutions of the illegal bunkerers/oil thieves.
“I’m very happy that we have made serious achievements here because our presence here scares them away. Immediately the thieves sight us, they run, immediately you go they return. So, we keep on chasing them in order not to continue tampering with the well heads and pipelines.
“Right from Ibaa at Ndele camp, Kpo and Owaza, and Odogwa, the arrests have been more than 50 that we have made. Some have been prosecuted and some released on bail”.
However, the Operational Director of Pipeline Infrastructure explained that Owaza and Norkpo are just a small portion of the Port Harcourt section of Eastern corridor of the security surveillance covered by Pipeline Infrastructure (PINL).
He said that due to the PINL strategic deployment and operations in the Eastern corridor, the company has made 100percent recovery of the 8-inch Nkali flow-station in Imo River II manifold pipeline from historical illegal connection/leak points and clamped points.
He stated; “All infringements/clamps were removed and point saddles welded. The pipeline is currently transferring and receiving crude oil feedstocks from the Nkali flow station to Imo River manifold to Ogale manifolds.
“We made 100percent recovery of the Isinmiri delivery line and 95percent recovery along the dual trunklines on the Imo River II to Ogale Manifold pipeline, both pipelines are operational with 95percent receipt at Ogale manifold since commencement of PINL operation till date.
“Prior to PINL engagement, the delivery lines were abandoned due to multiple infringements and incessant leaks.
“PINL strategic deployment and covert operations are gradually turning the Zone 3 axis of the Trans Niger Pipeline to historical hotspot, and has ensured continuous crude oil flow through the Imo River to Ogale pipelines, among many other major achievements”, he added.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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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.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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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

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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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

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