News

Security Agents In N’Delta Conniving With Criminals To Steal Oil, FG Admits

Published

4 years ago

April 15, 2022

The Federal Government has admitted that some security personnel deployed to fight oil theft were heavily involved in collaborating with those stealing the commodity in the Niger Delta.
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, who spoke on a national television during a programme tagged, “Eagle Eye”, in Abuja, noted that the government was planning various layers to monitor the personnel paid to halt the menace.
“Definitely, there are collaborators. Even during militancy, we had this issue within the military. So, the government could not really enforce the law effectively because of the activities of these collaborators.
“If you have something like a crime that has gone on for this long and a joint task force is in place to actually exterminate this crime and the crime has even gone worse, then definitely whoever is in charge is probably not doing their job.
“But at this time, the Federal Government is giving a note of warning and there will be other layers on top of those who are actually operating to monitor them, because the problem is to send people to take care of the crime and if you just leave them on their own, then in many cases they become part of the crime,” he contended.
Sylva stated that the current incessant vandalism of oil and gas pipelines was a metamorphosis of the militancy in the Niger Delta region, which although led to the training of several youths in the region, has extended to the ongoing challenge.
The minister noted that oil theft was not a creation of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, stressing that it has been in Nigeria for decades.
He said that at a time there was some sympathy for the culprits, which aggravated the matter.
The minister stated that the situation is no longer sustainable; pointing out that Nigeria was currently losing a lot of its production, a development that spurred the president to act on the matter.
On the recent allegation by a businessman and Founder Heir Holdings, Tony Elumelu, that more than 95per cent of total oil production is stolen, Sylva said that the business leader was probably talking about his (Tony’s) asset and not the generality of the industry losses.
“I saw that tweet from Tony and I would say that Tony doesn’t have an overview of the whole industry. He is pumping his production into one particular pipeline, the TNP line and that is actually one of the most majorly impacted of our pipelines.
“There are other pipelines that are not as impacted as the TNP, so he was speaking from his own perspective and he is not in a position to speak for the industry. So, if you said he lost 90per cent of his production I understand, which is a very small production compared to the national production, but that figure does not apply to the whole country,” he declared.
He stated that although he couldn’t say exactly how much oil is stolen, since many conditions impact how much is taken at every point in time, it could be up to 200,000 bpd one day and change the next.
Describing the inability of Nigeria to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota, as a sad topic for discussion, he said that it was a combination of factors that were responsible, including lack of new investment as a result of the delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
In addition, he listed sabotage, vandalism and the challenge of restarting oil wells that were shut down to align with OPEC cuts in 2020.
“In trying to shut down 200,000 barrels, you might shut down up to 300,000 barrels because the production is not really mathematical,” he explained, adding that bringing back the pressure to begin pumping has become difficult.
He reiterated that there’s been some improvement, stressing that by the end of this year, production will be ramped up to pre-pandemic levels.
Sylva stated that the negative belief that people could sit down in their homes and have free money introduced by some members of the elite in the Niger Delta was also to blame for the current challenge.
He maintained that it was wrong to equate oil theft to artisanal mining in the North because those miners in the North dig for the commodities while the oil thieves break into readymade and already operational pipelines.
Insisting that it is purely a criminal activity, he made it clear that the government should not just go about destroying the facilities, but should target the arrest of individuals that are involved.
“It’s very misplaced and sometimes people equate it with artisanal mining. These are two different activities. Artisanal mining is a situation where men will go down with shovels and head pans and dig for the gold and they find it,” he noted.
He explained that the monster created by the elite was coming back to haunt them in the form of kidnapping, noting that they have now realised the impact of the wrong values inculcated in the youths of the Niger Delta.
Sylva argued that when the Federal Government sought the help of some leaders in the Niger to tackle the problem, they were rebuffed, but said that the recent efforts by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had brought to the fore the magnitude of the problem and how it affects everyone.
“It’s the same thing with the issue of soot in Port Harcourt. But initially, the state government was not very interested in resolving the issue. Because we tried to approach them, but of course, at every point in time, they rebuffed us. They said, this is their way of also getting access to the oil wealth.
“But today, the chicken has gone home to roost. Everybody knows that this problem is a problem that will kill all of us. So, all hands are coming together to fight the problem,” he added.

News

No Aso Rock Kitchen Staff Attempt To Poison Tinubu –Presidency

Published

3 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Presidency has dismissed circulating social media reports alleging that kitchen staff at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa were arrested over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Tinubu.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the clarification yesterday on his official X account where he shared a video of the report and categorically denied it.

The video purportedly shows activity at the presidential villa, accompanied by a voiceover reporting the incident.

The video claimed, “Today we examine reports surrounding the shocking arrest of a presidential chef over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an incident that has prompted swift intervention by a special police squad and triggered heightened security measures within the presidential environment.

“According to preliminary information from security sources, the arrest followed intelligence alerts suggesting suspicious activities connected to food preparation procedures within restricted areas linked to presidential operations.

“Authorities moved quickly after receiving credible reports that indicated a possible threat to the safety of the president, leading to a coordinated investigation involving specialised security personnel tasked with protecting national leadership.

The video added, Officials emphasized that the operation was carried out professionally and discreetly to avoid public panic while ensuring that all potential risks were neutralised.

“The suspect, identified as a member of kitchen staff attached to presidential services, was reportedly taken into custody for questioning as investigators began examining evidence and verifying claims connected to the alleged poisoning attempt.

“Security agencies have urged the public to remain calm, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing and that allegations do not automatically imply guilt until due process.”

However, Onanuga dismissed the report as baseless fake news.

He wrote, “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video.”

As of the time of going to the Press authorities have not provided further details on the origin of the misleading video or potential motives behind its circulation.

News

US, China Clash As Iran TV Confirms Supreme Leader Ayatollah’s Death

Published

3 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Iranian state television yesterday confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, without referring to a massive US and Israeli attack on his residence.

A presenter on state television announced Khamenei’s death at 5:00 am (0130 GMT), as the channel broadcast archive images with a black banner as a sign of mourning.

Khamenei, 86, had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.

US President, Donald Trump, had on Saturday said that Khamenei had been killed in air strikes, though there has been no confirmation from Tehran.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.

“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

Trump said the Iranian leader had been “unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems.”

The US President said the death of Khamenei gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back their country.”

“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces no longer want to fight and are looking for Immunity from us.

“As I said last night, Now they can have immunity, later they only get death! Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian patriots and work together as a unit to bring back the country to the greatness it deserves.

“That process should soon start in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated.

“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world!” Trump posted.

However, China has strongly condemned the attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the killing yesterday when asked to comment on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday in Tehran.

The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, said the spokesperson, adding that it tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations.

China urges for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large, the spokesperson added.

News

Banigo Harps On Importance Of Nurturing Girl-Child …Says Everyone Is A Leader On His Own Right

Published

3 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has urged Nigerians, particularly women, to recognise that leadership exists at every level of society and that everyone is a leader within their own space.

Banigo made this call in Port Harcourt at the weekend during her Induction/Decoration as an AWLO Life Patroness, Unveiling of AWLO’s 2026 Magazine and Relaunch of the Rivers State Chapter.

Speaking with newsmen after the induction, the former Rivers State Deputy Governor emphasised the importance of nurturing and mentoring young girls, warning that neglecting the girl-child comes with far-reaching consequences for society.

According to her, investing in the growth and development of young girls is crucial to building a responsible and progressive nation.

“Well, everybody, to be honest with you, is a leader in their own space. If you lose your girlhood, you have lost your life. That is why it is important to catch them young,” she said.

“All my life, I have worked with young women because I believe that as we mentor them, they are meant to learn from us for the fulfilment of their God-given purpose,” she added.

The lawmaker further stressed the need for urgent and deliberate steps to ensure women are not left behind in national development, noting that any neglect of women ultimately affects the entire system and the larger society.

She highlighted education, healthcare, and skills acquisition as critical areas of focus, while calling for sustained efforts to keep girls in school and enable them to advance as far as their abilities permit.

Banigo also underscored the need for improved healthcare facilities to prevent maternal mortality and deaths from preventable diseases, while also advocating for vocational training and skill development opportunities for girl child.

According to her, raising responsible girls ultimately leads to building responsible adults and, by extension, a stronger and more purposeful society.