Rivers
Army Deactivates 16 Illegal Refineries …Arrests 23 Suspects In N’Delta
The Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, has announced the dismantling of 16 illegal refineries and arrest of 23 suspected oil thieves in their operations in the past one week.
It also disclosed the seizure of about 67,000 litres of stolen oil products, and recovery of some arms and ammunition in the operations conducted across the Niger Delta region from 14 – 20 April 2025.
In a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, it said the operations were in the army’s determination to sustain operational successes recorded against oil theft in the oil rich region of the country.
It also noted that the efforts were in collaboration with other critical stakeholders with results recorded across the various parts of region.
“In Bayelsa State, around Adibawa Oando Wellhead in Yenagoa Local Government Area (YELGA), troops surged operations against the criminals, which led to the successful deactivation of four illegal refining sites, confiscation of three large concrete reinforced dug out pits filled with over 35,000 litres of stolen crude from the Wellhead”, it said.
The statement further revealed that over 2,500 litres of illegally refined Agromated Gas Oil (AGO), with Wellhead valve and pumping machines were also recovered during the operation.
According to the statement, the crimes were perpetrated through the use of an 80 meter long pipe connected to the wellhead used for siphoning crude oil.
“Along Gbarain–Zarama Road, also in YELGA, various tricycles conveying stolen products were intercepted. Two suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection to the seizures”, it said.
In Rivers State, the statement added that clearance operations conducted around the Imo River led to the dismantling of 6 artisanal refineries, 30 drum pots, 24 drum receivers, 1,100 sacks filled with over 22,000 litres of stolen products around Obuzor in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State and Okoloma in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“While in Okrika Creek, following human intelligence, troops recovered a wooden boat loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen crude, suspected to have been siphoned from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Jetty in Okrika”, it said.
At Kula general area, in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area , the statement also revealed how troops positively identified and arrested three buyers and three sellers of suspected stolen products.
The operation as was put by the Army statement, led to the arrest of criminal merchants, the interception of three tug boats and one fibre boat loaded with over 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO in jerricans.
“At Obohia Road to Obrikom waterside, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), one wooden boat loaded with several sacks of stolen products was intercepted. Seizures were also made at Okwuizi, also in ONELGA, and Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA”, the statement added.
The Army also conducted operations in Delta State, where troops stormed a kidnappers hideout, around Rhobot City, Ibuzu Road in Asaba and Iselle Azagba Community in Aniocha LGA.
Other success stories, as contained in the statement, include two suspected kidnappers apprehended with several dangerous weapons such as two pump action riffles, one double barrel gun, one dane gun and 56 cartridges.
Also, 13 cutlasses, one military boot, one camouflage headgear, one axe, a black bag, four fraternity berets, jacket and a park containing four arrows and several charms were discovered by the Team.
The statement also noted that around Warri South general area, one illegal refining site, three cooking pots, unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO, and three drums filled with over 600 litres of stolen crude were confiscated.
Meanwhile, it revealed that the General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, visited several troops locations in Bayelsa and Delta states, where he interacted with troops and enjoined them to sustain the operational tempo in the region.
Emekah, assured the troops that their welfare would continue to receive the desired attention as they surge operations against economic saboteurs and associated crimes in the region.
King Onunwor
Judges of the High Court, Rivers State state Port Harcourt have resumed their normal Court sitting on Wednesday 30th April 2025 after spending fifteen days this year’s Easter holidays.
It will be recalled that the State High Court Judges had proceeded on Easter vacation on Monday April 14 to 29th ,2025 on the approval of the state chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi.
A statement signed by the Chief Registrar, High Court Rivers State, Port Harcourt, David Ihua _maduenyi, esq said the judges are to resume court sitting on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 in line with the earlier directives from the state chief judge and urged the general public to take notice of the resumption date.
“This is to inform the general public that the judges of the High court of the Rivers state shall resume normal Court sitting after Easter vacation on Wednesday, 30th April, 2025.
“Recall that the chief judge of Rivers state, Hon justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi had earlier directed that judges of the high court of Rivers state, should proceed on Easter vacation from Monday, 18 April 2025 to Tuesday, 29th April, 2025.”
“The general public should take notice:the High court of Rivers state shall resume sitting on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.”
The Management of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, has approved annual free medical checks for all staff of the University. The move is to promote staff sound health and productivity at work place.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed this during the third edition of the “Walk for Life” health, wellness and fitness exercise, held last Saturday.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the new health policy will enable every staff member of the University to undergo free comprehensive medical check-up on their birthdays, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of staff members.
Professor Zeb-Obipi emphasized that regardless of whether a staff member’s birthday falls on a weekend, the initiative applies to all Rivers State University employees, expressing optimism that the Health Services Department has the required manpower and facilities to manage the novel health policy.
To achieve the policy, the VC said that the Establishment Division will liaise with the Health Services to compile the birthdays of all staff and send notification two or three days before the days their birthdays fall, reminding them to go for their free medical check-up.
Highlighting the importance of active leadership, the Vice-Chancellor stated that leadership requires direct engagement with the people, a principle he called “management by walking the floor,” rather than managing from behind closed doors. He emphasized that policies should be crafted from direct engagement with employees to understand their challenges.
He noted that this edition of the “Walk for Life” health fitness programme serves as a practical example of this management style, allowing him to interact with members of the university community and observe firsthand the need for regular health checks. He described the walk as a “worthy exercise,” pointing out that since most university work is sedentary, periodic physical activities such as the Walk for Life are crucial for the health and productivity of the staff.
The Vice-Chancellor also noted that this month’s “Walk for Life” coincides with the World Malaria Week, underlining the University’s commitment to supporting global health initiatives with the pledge that “Malaria must end with us.”.
Earlier, the Director of Health Services Department, Dr. Dagogo Cookey-Gam, charged the university community to visit the Medical Centre for testing before treatment of malaria. He said parents should watch out for children under 5 years because they can come under severe malaria attack, adding that pregnant women should also be mindful not to be exposed of having malaria due to their low immune system.
Dr. Cookey-Gam noted that malaria can be prevented by maintaining a clean environment and using mosquito nets.
On his part, the Director of the University Sports Unit, Prof. Joseph Vipene, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for sustaining the monthly “Walk for Life” initiative, assuring that the programme which has come to stay has placed the University in an enviable position for others to emulate.
The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the death of a police officer who allegedly took his own life in Port Harcourt.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
“We received a report about an officer who allegedly killed himself.
“However, we are currently investigating the report to ascertain what transpired”, she stated.
Iringe-Koko reported that the Commissioner of Police in the Sstate, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for a thorough investigation.
According to viral reports Monday, Insp. Maxwell Zabu, formerly a security detail to Victor Ihunwo, a former Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council, allegedly shot himself at Ihunwo’s residence in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt.
A source familiar with the incident said the matter was reported to the Azikiwe Police Division in the area.
“Following the report, detectives from the division visited the scene as part of preliminary investigation procedures”, the source added.