From Christopher Tom, Uyo

Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction, a Civil Society Organization, committed to good governance and poverty alleviation has exposed that Nigeria has lost over $1.

9bn to gas flaring between 2020 to 2024.The Executive Director of the Network Emem Edoho, who disclosed while speaking with journalists in Uyo identified Splat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited, as the major culprit. He said that the discovery followed a painstaking finding by the organization’s undercover team around the SEPLAT’s operational areas after a letter of request under the Freedom of Information Act (FoI) had been forwarded to the SEPLAT’s management without response. He lamented that SEPLAT which recently acquired the assets of the defunct Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited “is still continuing the tradition of gas flaring around its host community – Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom state.Edoho regretted that the carbon pollution, environmental degradation and other associated issues of gas flaring have continued to make the Niger Delta region an endangered zone with the population at risk of extinction.”There’s the urgent need to end gas flare pollution. It’s causing severe environmental degradation and climate change. It’s affecting agricultural livelihoods, especially fish farmers because of rising water temperature. Fishes are dying in most fish ponds. Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited is denying flaring of gas.””But, our covert environmental investigation right inside Seplat Energy facility at the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) as at Friday 28th March, 2025, at 7:30 pm, according to him, “shows they are still flaring tonnes of carbon emissions.Nigeria had lost about $1.9billion Dollars in revenues due to gas flaring between 2020 and 2024. The federal and state governments must put tougher measures to check the menace.”As CSOs, we cannot do it alone. We need the support of the media, nationally and globally to hold polluters like Seplat Energy accountable and transparent in their operations, and compliance with environmental regulations in line with global best practices,” he added.He disclosed that “a recent FOI requests have been submitted to Seplat Energy and NUPRC, seeking detailed information on gas flare pollution, adding that “the request aims to uncover the extent of gas flaring activities, the environmental impacts, and the measures being taken to reduce flaring,” stressing that “this move is part of a broader effort to promote transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry.”A copy of the letter to SEPLAT Energy made available to Journalists reads: “We are writing to your organization, pursuant to PIA, 2021 and the Regulations, and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, to write and demand for records and relevant information, data, including copy of your organization’s Environmental Management Plan concerning your oil and gas exploration activities at the QIT, in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.”He recalled that Nigeria had launched the Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (GFCP) to reduce gas flaring and promote sustainable development, explaining that “The programme aimed to harness flare gas for commercial purposes, thereby reducing waste and environmental pollution.”He, therefore, hoped that “with the NUPRC at the helm, the programme which target to end routine gas flaring by 2030 and contribute to Nigeria’s energy transition journey, could be a mirage if the federal government continues to look the other way, while the gas flaring continues in the region.However, the General Manager (GM) Public and Government Affairs at SEPLAT Energy, Ogechukwu Udeagha, during the recent consultative meeting with stakeholders and the commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, had assured of a seamless oil exploration activities with the host communities carried along in line with international best practices.

From Francis Sadhere, Delta

Operatives from the Delta State Police Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) have made significant strides in curbing kidnapping and armed robbery activities across the state.

Following a series of successful operations, the team has apprehended several suspects and seized high-powered weapons, including AK-47 rifles, a pump-action gun, and a Beretta pistol. According to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer, Edafe Bright, Delta State Command, March 26, a joint operation led by ASP Julius Robinson, Commander of the CP-SAT, resulted in the arrest of a suspected kidnapper identified as Chedeye Mohammed. He said the suspect was apprehended in Rivers State after a thorough investigation by the operatives.”Following his arrest, Mohammed led the police to a secluded location near a trailer park in Rivers State, where an AK-47 rifle, loaded with thirteen rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, was recovered.”Preliminary investigation revealed that Mohammed and his gang were notorious for carrying out kidnappings in Ughelli, Agbarho, and other parts of Delta State, where they would often seek refuge in Rivers State. Efforts to apprehend other members of the gang are ongoing,” Edafe stated.Also, in a separate operation, Edafe said that the CP-SAT, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three suspects involved in armed robbery and gun-running activities in Anyangba town, Kogi State.He added that the suspects—Zakari Mohammed, aged 31, Ibrahim Mumuni, aged 29, and Mohammed Hamisu, aged 25—were apprehended during a search operation at their residence, where an AK-47 rifle and an automatic pump-action gun were seized.”Further investigation led to the arrest of a fourth suspect, Samaila Mohammed, aged 35, who was found in possession of a Beretta pistol, loaded with three rounds of live ammunition and cartridges. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue,” the Delta State Police PPRO added.In a similar development, the police said that, “On March 25, 2025, CP-SAT operatives conducted a covert operation at Olomoro community in Isoko South Local Government Area, where they arrested Emu Lucky, aged 35.”During a search of his premises, the police recovered eighty-two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Preliminary investigations revealed that Lucky had been supplying ammunition to Mohammed Bello, a known suspected kidnapper already in custody. Bello was acting as an intermediary between Lucky and other kidnappers in the region. The investigation into this criminal network is ongoing.”The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, commended the efforts of the CP-SAT in making these significant arrests and seizing dangerous weapons.He assured the people of Delta State that the police would continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all residents.”The mandate from the Inspector General of Police is clear: to ensure that every resident of Delta State can sleep with both eyes closed.””We will continue to intensify our efforts in combating crime and ensuring the safety of all Deltans. We also appeal to the public to continue their support and cooperation as we work together to maintain peace and security,” Olufemi said.The Delta State Police Command has vowed to maintain the pressure on criminal elements in the state, with further operations expected in the coming weeks.

From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has clarified that it reviewed and duly approved the tariff increment being implemented by the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT).

It added that the rates are within the acceptable industry benchmark and conforms with economic realities, while restarting commitment to fair and competitive practices in the port sector, and balancing the interests of terminal operators and port users.

Reacting to recent publications concerning the tariff review approval, which was issued to WACT in 2021 and 2023, the NSC noted that, in its regulatory capacity, it ensures that all approved tariff adjustments are fair, justifiable and sustainable for both service providers and port users.

It further cited WACT as stating that before the implementation of the new tariff structure, it engaged extensively with the leadership of registered clearing agents in Onne, while they arrived at a mutual agreement, with the implementation to be phased to ease the impact on port users.

In line with the agreement, WACT initially implemented the first phase of the tariff increment, which was accepted by the service users, the NSC noted.

It further explained that after consultations and considerations, the final phase of the agreed increment was scheduled for implementation after a one month and two weeks’ notice to stakeholders, to ensure transparency and adequate preparation.

Meanwhile, the council condemned APFFLON’s position as misleading, as the association has, for two years, failed to obtain an introductory letter from the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, which is a prerequisite for recognition as an agent.

To that end, it said the association’s inability to participate in the stakeholder engagement process was due to its non-compliance with regulatory requirements rather than an act of exclusion by WACT.

Nevertheless, it urged stakeholders to engage constructively, and in accordance with regulatory frameworks, to enhance port efficiency.