security
Armed Forces Intensify Fight against Crude Oil Theft, Criminality
By David Torough, Abuja
The Nigerian military said it has intensified its operations in the Niger Delta Region of the country to curtail crude oil theft and other criminality through a comprehensive approach.Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.
According to him, troops have been engaged in dismantling the capabilities of the economic saboteurs for some years now without it abating. “Operations would therefore be conducted through a unified command structure for all security agencies operating in the Niger Delta.”“Additionally, operations would target specific areas that have significant capability to boost crude oil production. The targeted areas include, but are not limited to enforcing and ensuring transparency by International Oil Companies operating in the region.“Others are; ensuring the integrity of the metering systems deployed at flow stations. Operations will also embark on the tracking of the point of loading to the destination point of the crude oil.“Furthermore, operations will also concentrate on surveillance of the pipelines, jackets and well head to forestall breaches,” Buba said.He also said that overall, operations will galvanize the support of the people of the Niger Delta as well as the stakeholders in the oil sector to support the drive to boost the nations oil production.“Importantly, operations will ensure prosecution of culprits engaged in crude oil theft,” he said .Buba added that in its determination to raid the country of terrorists, troops have neutralised 125 terrorists and arrested 200 persons in the last one week.Troops also arrested 20 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 140 kidnapped hostages.According to Buba, in the South-South Region troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N744,153,900.00 only.Furthermore, troops recovered 120 assorted weapons and 1,793 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 56 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated gun, 22 dane guns, one SMG rifle, 7 pump action guns, one fabricated barretta pistol, 7 locally made guns, 5 x 60mm mortar bomb Unexploded Ordinances and 2 small rubber gun powder.Others include: 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 383 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 78 live cartridges, 24 empty case of 7.62mm ammo, 21 AK47 magazines, one baofeng radio, 6 vehicles, 11 motorcycles, 5 bicycles, 38 mobile phones and the sum of N2,737,145.00 only amongst other items.Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 11 dugout pits, 5 boats and 20 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 31 cooking ovens, 5 vehicles, 3 mobile phones and 31 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 715,325 litres of stolen crude oil and 148,415 litres of illegally refined AGO.”On the whole, the military is in a good and strong position in the war against terrorists with many terrorist leaders killed. Our operation continues to focus on providing security and stability for the nation and citizens,” he added.security
Yuletide: Police Assure of Security in Ekiti, Ban Fireworks, Unlawful Gatherings
The Police Command in Ekiti has assured residents of the state of adequate security before, during and after the yuletide.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Akinwale Adeniran, gave the assurance in a statement he personally signed, but issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Sunday Abutu, on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.
Adeniran also sought for more support, collaboration and obedience to law and order by the people of the state.
He said that any form of unlawful gathering, demonstration or protest was unacceptable, stressing the need to sustain the peaceful atmosphere and ensure safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
According to him, intelligence report available has it that some unscrupulous individuals have plans to hide under the guise of protest to unleash mayhem and create apprehension in the state.
“Ekiti State Police Command wishes to appreciate all the residents and good people of Ekiti State for their support, cooperation and collaboration all through this year 2024.
“These have assisted tremendously in nipping crime in the bud and enhancing the peaceful atmosphere currently being enjoyed in the state.
“Parents and guardians are, therefore, implored to advise their wards to shun any act that is inimical to the peace and security of the state, as anyone who runs foul of this directive will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.
Adeniran said that the command had also placed a ban on the sale and use of fireworks, knockouts and firecrackers in the state.
According to him, the items are capable of causing security threat, distractions, unnecessary apprehension and health-related issues.
He also stated that the use of fireworks could create panic and confusion, as it could be difficult to differentiate their sounds from that of the real gunshot.
The police commissioner enjoined residents to be security conscious and promptly report any untoward incident or observation that might be inimical to the peace and security of the state to the nearest police station or call 08062335577. (NAN)
security
Police Nab Man for Allegedly Defrauding Unsuspecting People in Katsina
Police operatives in Katsina State have succeeded in apprehending a suspected fraudster, one Bishir Abdullahi, 37, who specialised in swapping ATM cards of unsuspecting people at ATM points.The police spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, told newsmen on Thursday in Katsina that the suspect was found in possession of 14 different ATM cards that belonged to different people.
He said that the suspect was apprehended after a police officer on duty became suspicious of his activities around an ATM machine. The suspect was nabbed by Inspt. Aliyu Muhammad, a police officer on duty at the First Bank branch of Tudun Katsira quarters, Katsina metropolis.“Upon instant search, 14 suspected stolen ATM cards of different banks were found in his possession.“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had been using the stolen ATM cards to withdraw sums of money from his victims’ accounts.”Aliyu further revealed that the suspect withdrew money from about six accounts at different banks.He noted that the suspect was able to withdraw money from his victims’ accounts amounting to N2.7m.He said the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation. (NAN)security
Joint Security Task Force Apprehends Couple for Alleged Kidnap Threats
The Anambra Police Command and a vigilance group in the state, on Friday, arrested a couple for allegedly issuing kidnap threats to unsuspecting members of the public.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this to newsmen in Awka.
Ikenga identified the couple as Mr Kingsley Okoye and his wife, Chidinma.
“Given reports of text messages and voice notes received by unsuspecting members of the public on threats of abduction, the Joint Security Force, comprising the police and Anambra Vigilance Group, acting on technology driven information in the early hours of today, arrested a couple.
“They are Mr Okoye Kingsley and Mrs Chidinma Okoye, 36 years and 27 years, respectively.
“The duo were arrested in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state,” he said.
Ikenga said that the operatives recovered mobile phones and sim cards from them.
According to him, the couple specialised in sending threat messages to people and demanding ransom or they would be abducted or killed.
He said that the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to destroying some of the sim cards, which they had earlier used to commit the crime.
The PPRO further said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Nnaghe Itam, had directed the immediate transfer of the case to the Anti-Kidnapping/Robbery Squad of the command for comprehensive investigation.
Ikenga said that the couple would be arraigned on conclusion of the investigations. (NAN)