Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have apprehended 43  suspected oil thieves during a coordinated raid on illegal artisanal refineries across Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.

Spokesman for the division, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday, noting that 14 artisanal refineries were also dismantled during the operations.

Danjuma also revealed that troops seized 14 boats and confiscated about 254,000 litres of various stolen petroleum products between March 31 and April 6.

Providing details of the operations, he explained that soldiers in Delta raided the Old Ogorode community in the Sapele area, where they recovered 90,000 litres of petroleum products loaded into a bus.

“Furthermore, troops confiscated 74,107 drums filled with 16,600 litres of petroleum products and 1,600 litres of illegally refined engine oil.

“Other items recovered include a tank filled with over 20,000 litres of stolen products, an empty tank  with a capacity of 5,000 litres, eight pumping machines, two generators.

“Two suspects were arrested at the crime scene,” he stated.

In a separate operation in Amukpe, Sapele, Danjuma said that soldiers intercepted a truck carrying 56 drums containing 13,400 litres of stolen crude oil.

He confirmed the arrest of three suspects connected to the incident.

“In Rivers, troops dismantled illegal sites, seized about 83,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 3,200 litres of illegally refined petroleum products in Andoni, Ahoada West, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Akuku-Toru, and Degema Local Government Areas.

“The petroleum products were found stored in more than 80 cooking pots and ovens, as well as in sacks, metal receivers, iron pipes, and a reservoir pit,” Danjuma stated.

In Bayelsa, the army spokesman reported the seizure of 13,500 litres of stolen crude following the destruction of four illegal refineries in Yenagoa and Ekeremor LGAs.

During the raids, Danjuma revealed that troops also dismantled over nine cooking drums and receivers, 11 ovens, four drums, and a dug-out reservoir.

According to him, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for their successful operations and urged stakeholders to support the fight against illegal oil bunkering.

“The GOC assured Nigerians that these ongoing operations form part of broader efforts to boost oil and gas production and enhance the nation’s economy,” he concluded. (NAN)

A gas explosion on Sunday injured at least 15 people at Ijora Badia, a suburb of Lagos.

The blast, which occurred around 5:00 p.m., was reportedly caused by a leaking 25-kilogramme gas cylinder inside a mini shop.

The shop was part of a bungalow complex that also housed 15 self-contained rooms and seven other shops.

According to an eyewitness, Mr Kabiru Ahmed, the explosion caused extensive damage, although no fatalities were recorded.

Preliminary findings suggest that the gas leak, likely due to improper handling, was ignited by a nearby flame.

Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, who confirmed the incident, said the fire had been fully extinguished.

She added that all remaining gas cylinders were safely removed from the scene.

“Fifteen individuals, including adults and children of both sexes, sustained varying degrees of burn injuries,” Adeseye said.

“Many received first aid on-site, while others were taken to hospital for further treatment.

” Thankfully, none of the injuries are life-threatening,” Adeseye said.

She said emergency response teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Lagos State Ambulance Service, and the police were present at the scene. (NAN)

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has disassociated itself from the ‘Take It Back Movement’, nationwide protest scheduled for Monday while suing for peace especially among the youths.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has called on the organisers of the planned protest to rescind their decision, describing the timing of the demonstration as ill-conceived and mischievous.

The National President of NYCN, Isah Abubakar, made the call in a statement on Sunday in Kaduna.

He said they reached their decision considering the fragile state of the country, particularly the Northern Nigeria, and the potential for further unrest.

Abubukar said, “We wish to stress the need to prioritise peace and unity during these critical times.

“We are urging Nigerian youths to explore alternative and non-violent means to express their concerns.

“We are deeply concerned about the escalating tensions across various regions and the current socio-political climate.”

He stated that NYCN was committed to empowering and developing Nigerian youths, in spite of the frustrations and aspirations of young Nigerians.

“In the light of the current situation, the nation requires calm, dialogue and patience rather than actions that could further destabilise the fragile peace many patriotic Nigerians are working hard to uphold,”Abubakar added.

The national president, however, said NYCN recognised the legitimacy of the grievances that led to the calls for protest.

He ephasised that peace and national stability should remain the highest priorities.

Reflecting on the recent recent “End Bad Governance” protest, he said, the council expressed concern over the loss of lives and property valued in millions of Naira.

Abubukar sadly recalled that the protests were hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants.

“No one desires a repeat of such tragic events,”he said.

Abubakar emphasised the crucial need for unity as one force to advocate rights and work together to build stronger and more inclusive Nigeria.

He, therefore, urged Nigerian youths to remain calm, avoid any form of violence, and continue engaging in peaceful and legitimate activities.

According to Abubukar, this is to allow the government to address the pressing issues at hand.

He also urged young Nigerians to come together in solidarity not protests, but through peaceful and constructive engagements that could foster lasting change.

Abubakar reiterated the council’s commitment to working alongside government agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the voices of the youths were heard through peaceful and appropriate channels.(NAN)