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Tag: oil bunkering

  • Army intensifies onslaughts against illegal oil bunkering in Niger Delta

    Army intensifies onslaughts against illegal oil bunkering in Niger Delta

    …destroys 27 new refineries, confiscates products

    The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has intensified its operations against illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta, destroying more illegal refineries and confiscating stolen products.

    The Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said on Wednesday, August 14, that to maintain the ongoing momentum troops were traversing the length and breadth of the operational landscape with huge successes.

    He said the operations led to the destruction of over 27 newly established illegal refining sites and the confiscation of over 100,000 litres of stolen crude during various operations.

    Danjuma said: “Troops of 29 Battalion while exploiting deep into the fringes of notorious Imo River, a renowned hub of criminal activities destroyed over 23 newly established illegal refining sites.

    “This was in addition to two storage reservoirs with over 80,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated. Also, three vehicles loaded with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, stashed in GP tanks and sacks have been confiscated. The products confiscated are estimated to be over 8000 litres.”

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    Danjuma said in Cowthorne Channel II, in Degema Local Government Area, troops of 16 Brigade in conjunction with other security agencies discovered and destroyed over four illegal refining sites with three metal drums, in addition to pits containing stolen crude estimated to be over 6000 litres.

    He said: This feat is in addition to other pockets of seizures made by troops of the 6 Division in the region. The products confiscated are being handled appropriately.

    “The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for their renewed disposition to take criminal merchants out of business, charged them to ensure the integrity of the pipelines was maintained.

    “This he said, will ensure oil companies conduct their activities seamlessly, as this will guarantee the expected improvement in oil production in line with the operational directive of the Chief of Defence Staff.

    “He also called on critical stakeholders, particularly host communities to continue to provide credible intelligence on the activities of these criminals to security agencies”.

  • Army destroys 14 boats used for oil bunkering in Abia

    Army destroys 14 boats used for oil bunkering in Abia

    …says hard times await economic saboteurs

    Operatives of the Nigerian Army involved in Operation UDOKA in the southeast have recovered 14 boats and several drums of crude oil recovered from oil bunkerers at Isimini Waterside, Ukwa West local government area of Abia state.

    General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Enugu, Major Gen. Hassan Dada, who personally led the operation near an oil flo station in the Ukwa West LGA, told our correspondent that troops acting on intelligence, laid siege on the bunkerers for five days before eventually catching up with them.

    According to Dada, six suspects were apprehended and handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for further interrogations and prosecution.

    The GOC who was flanked by the Brigade Commander in charge of 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Brig. Gen. Olusola Diya, while addressing newsmen at the creek, said eight of the seized boats were large Cotonu boats while others were small boats.

    He said that the bunkerers use their equipment to rupture oil pipeline  in the area, steal crude, some of which they refine, and some they take to the high sea and sell at ridiculous prices to the enemies of the country.

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    The GOC who said that the leader of the cartel had been identified but on the run, vowed that no economic saboteur would be given a breeding space within the operational areas of Operation UDOKA.

    According to him,  the bunkerers use the proceeds of the stolen crude to finance terrorism.

    Maj. Gen. Dada warned all those involved in the illicit act to turn a new leaf or brace up for the wrath of the military.

    “This is just the beginning of the operation and we will make sure no stone is left unturned. Anybody found culpable will be dealt with. 

    “It’s high time they left this our joint operation area because we won’t spare them. Nobody should be involved in any form of economic sabotage within Operation UDOKA joint Operation area.

    “We are here to ensure that no form of economic sabotage occurs in our joint operational area. We have been here conducting operations against economic saboteurs trying to take crude oil which is the mainstay of our economy.

    “Based on intelligence, we waited for them here for five days until yesterday (Thursday) when they came to get crude oil from the pipeline, then we moved in and recovered 14 boats, some with crude oil.

    “They sank some of the boats and that is why, if you look very well, you will see oil floating there on the water. But any moment from now, we are going to destroy the boats in line with the standing operational procedure.

    “We are going to get to the root of the matter. We know the person in charge of this location and he is on the run but definitely, we will get him. 

    “The Nigerian Army will not in any way tolerate any form of sabotage to the economy of this country. They are more of a cartel, and a lot of scrupulous people are actually involved.

    “They take the stolen oil to the high sea and sell to the enemies of the country at ridiculous prices; some they refine into products which are substandard and cause damages to vehicles.”

  • Community dismisses allegations of oil bunkering against SWAT, Sylva

    Community dismisses allegations of oil bunkering against SWAT, Sylva

    The people of Opu-Nembe in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State have written to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, exonerating the Special Weapon and Tactical Team (SWAT) and a former Minister of State Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, of involvement in illegal oil bunkering.

    The people in a statement signed by all sectors of the community, represented by the Deputy Chairman, Chiefs’ Council, Chief Okolo Dede; Chairman, Elders Council, Indoma Igbalbo; Chairman, Special Elders Council, Igbogi Amalagha; Chairman, CDC, Mr. Konbonimi Awori; Youth President, Mr. Toinpre Sambo and Chairman, Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Yousuo Iruo, alleged that a petition against SWAT and Sylva written by some faceless individuals to the NSA was baseless.

    The representatives insisted that those who allegedly wrote the petition were ghost names fabricated by the sacked youth President of the community, Moses Ayerite.

    They said what the SWAT team had done since its arrival in the community on August 12, 2023 was to restore peace to the troubled community thrown into chaos by the sacked youth council and the council of chiefs in line with a script written by some politicians with the state government.

    According to them, the sustained agitation and deliberate lies against the SWAT team is geared towards forcing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to remove the SWAT team from the community, which would pave the way for the sacked Youth Council and the Council of Chiefs to invade the community with militants.

    Noting that a similar unfounded petition was written against the Army, the representatives urged the NSA to probe the activities of the sacked Youth Council and their collaborators in the former council of chiefs in connection with illegal oil bunkering in the community.

    The statement said: “We are the representatives of the people of Opu- Nembe and we declare that the allegations against SWAT and Timipre Sylva are lies.

    “Sylva’s only crime is that he is from the community, and he contested the last governorship election against Governor Douye Diri. INEC has declared the results and he is at the tribunal to challenge the outcome.

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    “The SWAT team since they came into the community has helped to restore law and order. Their presence has kept criminals away from the community.

    “What those sponsoring the unsubstantiated petitions against SWAT want to achieve is for the SWAT to leave the community so that they can invade the community and plunge it back into chaos with their reign of terror.

    “The people of Opu-Nembe are happy with the SWAT team for restoring peace to the community.”

    Recall that Opu-Nembe community has been enmeshed in lingering communal crisis that has left some indigenes dead and multi-million naira property destroyed.

  • GOCs to troops: destroy all illegal oil bunkering sites in Niger Delta, southeast

    GOCs to troops: destroy all illegal oil bunkering sites in Niger Delta, southeast

    The General Officers Commanding (GOCs) of 6 and 82 divisions of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam and Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada have ordered troops to destroy all illegal oil bunkering sites within their areas of responsibilities in the Niger Delta and the southeast.

    The GOCs were said to have given the order when they jointly paid an operational visit to an illegal oil bunkering empire located at Okoloma, Oyigbo local government area, and the Umuahale area in Ukwa West in Rivers and Abia states.

    A statement signed by the acting deputy director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the two divisions were jointly conducting clearance operations at the seized illegal refinery sites located at the fringes of the Imo River.

    Danjuma explained that the visit was essentially to assess the illegality perpetrated by criminals and economic saboteurs and to boost troops’ morale.

    He said: “While at the fringes of the Imo River, deep into the thickly forested areas, the GOCs were conducted through a tour by the Commander, 6 Division Garrsion, Brig.-Gen. Edet Effiong and Commander 14 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Olusola Diya, where they saw the hub of illegal oil bunkering, shrouded with cooking pots, boilers, surface reservoirs and huge quantities of illegal products in dug-in reservoirs carefully concealed, under the thick forest with interconnected pipes spanning several kilometres.

    Read Also: Why I backed out of illegal oil bunkering – ex-militant leader Amagbein

    “The crime scene points to the fact that it is an organised crime that has been running for a long period, owing to the huge investment made to sabotage the national economy.

    “The GOCs who jointly addressed the troops charged them to ensure all illegal bunkering sites are destroyed. They also re-echoed the president and Commander-in-Chief’s directive on zero tolerance for illegal oil bunkering, charging troops to sustain the operational tempo against this mindless criminality. 

    “The GOCs said that if this illegality is allowed to continue, it will affect the Nigerian economy gravely. Additionally, it is believed that the proceeds from these illegalities are used to fund other crimes.

    “Therefore, all hands must be on deck to deny the enemies of the state freedom of action and ensure that these streams of funding are completely dismantled.”

  • Illegal oil bunkering: Naval officer, others get N10m bail each

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted a naval officer, Lieutenant Commander Bola Labinjo, bail for 10 million with one surety.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned her for alleged oil bunkering.

    She was arraigned along with Jonathan Abaka, Charles Ikemefuna Agaba, Benjamin Gagechi, Hamza Yakubu and a vessel, M.T. Adeline Jumbo, on two counts of conspiracy and dealing in petroleum products without license.

    Each of them was granted bail in the sum of N10million.

    The Navy, which arrested the defendants, said Mrs Bola Labinjo’s husband, also a serving naval officer, was under investigation.

    According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly committed the offence between August and October last year within Nigerian maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea.

    EFCC said they conspired to deal in Automobile Gas Oil (AGO) off the coast of Gabon on August 13, 2018, without lawful authority and appropriate licence to deal in petroleum products.

    In count two, the defendants were accused of conspiring to deal in Automobile Gas Oil (AGO) on the coast of Gabon on August 13, last year, without lawful authority and appropriate licence.

    The alleged offence is contrary to Sections 1 (19) (a) and (b), and 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Revised Edition) 2004 and punishable under Section 1(17) (b).

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    The defendants, including the vessel which was represented by its Chief Financial Officer Nike Folarin, were arraigned before Justice Chuka Obiozor.

    Prosecuting counsel, Stephen Odiase told the court that the defendants were arrested last August 13 by men of the Nigeria Navy with the vessel illegally loaded with the petroleum products.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Defence counsel, Jerry Omoregie; O. J. Omoruwayo; Uche Obi and Nelson Otaji urged the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms.

    But, Odiase, urged the court to refuse the bail applications on the ground that the alleged offence was an economy sabotage which affects Nigeria negatively.

    Ruling, Justice Obiozor granted them bail for N10million each with one surety in like sum each.

    The judge also ordered that the sureties must produce three years tax clearance, evidence of means of livelihood, statements of account, title of landed property and two passport photographs.

    The bail conditions were to be verified by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR), the court ruled.

    Justice Obiozor, however, granted the defence counsel’s request to release the defendants to them temporarily.

    He released the defendants, except the sixth, to their lawyers, and directed the temporary sureties to deposit their original Call-to-Bar Certificates with the DCR.

    He directed that the bail terms must be fulfilled within 14 days, failing which the defendants will be remanded in prison custody.

    Folarin’s lawyer, P. Amara, urged the court for a short date to enable him file his client’s application, as he was just served with the charge in court.

    The case was adjourned to August 8.

  • Police nab nine illegal bunkering suspects in Delta

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on Pipeline Vandalization has arrested nine suspected oil thieves in Warri, Delta state.

    The special task force, which is attached to the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), at the Warri Depot, made the arrest during a raid on two notorious locations within its area of coverage.

    Commander of the Special Task Force, Anti- Pipeline Vandalization on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, Police Superintendent (SP) Mohammed EL-Yakubu, told newsmen during the weekend that the locations comprise Oteghele and Ugbodede Communities both in Warri South Local Government Area.

    He said the locations have been known to harbour large expanse of illegal oil bunkering activities, especially, the locally refined AGO otherwise known as diesel.

    EL-Yakubu also said that over 50 illegal refineries were destroyed and an estimated fifteen thousand (15,000) litres of refined diesel about to be loaded into wooden boats in sacks to be delivered to potential buyers were impounded at both locations.

    He said the arrest was made possible based on the intelligence gathering efforts of his men and officers.

    He revealed that the Commander decided to invade the locations on Thursday, April 25, 2019, after it had been clearly established that it was one of the busiest days in both camps.

    He disclosed that while the Ugbodede community camp abhors 13 illegal refineries, the Oteghele community end controls the largest with about 37 refineries operating at full capacity in the area.

    He said that the suspects were still been detained for further interrogations, adding that they would soon be charged  to  court for prosecution after investigation had been concluded, while the seized product would be handed over to the appropriate agency.

    “It may interest you to know that this breakthrough was made possible through the cooperation of some good citizens who provided the information that led to the arrests.

    “I want to sincerely thank these people and urged the members of the public, particularly those residents in the places where these criminals’ acts were being perpetrated to feel free to come and give us useful information that could lead to more arrest of these criminals,” Yakubu said.

    He warned those behind this dastardly act to begin to have a change of mind about the illegal oil business as the task force was more than ever determined to come after them.

    “Culprits should desist from these act because besides the renewed efforts of my men and officers to rid the area of the criminal act, the business itself is very dangerous as the environment they are exposed in these camps on daily basis is injurious to their health,” EL-Yakubu said.

  • Speaker seeks divine help against crimes

    Speaker seeks divine help against crimes

    The  Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson, is seeking divine intervention to tackle kidnapping, militancy, killing, oil bunkering and other crimes in his constituency.

    The Nation learnt that Benson, who represents Southern Ijaw 4, was worried by these vices  and had hired clerics to heal his constituency.

    He was said to have contacted Rev. Uma Ukpai to lead other clerics to his local government for a three-day crusade to discourage people from crimes.

    Benson, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Aotendeike Boloigha, said the crusade was organised to improve his community.

    The Speaker, who addressed heads of clans, paramount rulers and chairmen of community development committees (CDC), said it was unacceptable for a community, hitherto known for peace and good neighbourliness, to assume a negative identity.

    He said: “Travelling to our once very peaceful environment is now done with the presence of heavily armed military men. Traditional and social functions are not left out.”

    The Chairman of Central Planning Committee and General Overseer, Doxa Family Church, Rev. T. Y. Emmanuel, said the programme was timely, adding that it is time for the people to come together.

    He urged every family to participate, saying the Bishop of Ogbia Diocese of Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. James Aye-Oruwori is among those expected at the crusade.

    King Timi-Ododo, paramount ruler of Ikebiri I community, who spoke for the monarchs, described the Speaker as a leader who identifies with the people.

    Pastor Job Molo, the CDC chairman of Azuzuama community, on behalf of his counterparts from other communities, said they would mobilise people to the crusade.

  • Navy expresses readiness to check illegal oil bunkering

    Navy expresses readiness to check illegal oil bunkering

    The Nigerian Navy has expressed its readiness to tackle the challenges of insecurity and illegal oil bunkering on the coastlines through community collaboration.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas, gave the assurance during the inauguration of a Navy residential quarters in Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers, on Friday.

    QqThe quarters, consisting of four blocks of flats, were donated to the Navy by Green Energy International Ltd and Lekoil Consortium, which are oil exploration companies operating in Ikuru Town.

    Ibas was represented by Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik, the Chief Logistics, Naval Headquarters.

    He said the companies made the donation to provide prominence and permanent presence for the Navy in the volatile Eastern waterways of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers states.

    Ibas said the presence of the Navy would further strengthen effective coastal policing and check illegal oil bunkering.

    “The Nigerian Navy appreciates this worthy donation as it came at such a time when the Navy is exploring necessary measures to secure our waterways and end the activities of oil vandals.

    “I charge the oil companies and the host community to maintain this developmental process as the Navy is poised to ensuring effective use of the facility,” he said.

    Mrs Ibioku Amachree, the Administrative Manager, Green Energy International Ltd, said the donation was part of the company’s promise to support community development in the area.

    “In our Memorandum of Understanding with our host community we promised to set up a community development trust fund.

    “The sum of N90 million would be remitted annually by our joint venture (Green Oil Energy/Lekoil) into the community development trust fund.

    “The trust fund would be managed by designated signatories from the host communities,” she said.

    Mr Adeleke Adedipe, Chief Operating Officer of Lekoil Company, also assured the community of a safe environment and promised that the company would abide by the country’s environmental laws.

    Adedipe said the company would not flare gas in its operations.

    He also promised to ensure that the gas generated in the process of oil exploration would be converted to electricity for the community, which presently was not connected to the national grid.

    In his speech, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Ikuru, on behalf the community, thanked the Nigerian Navy and Ofik, an indigene of the community.

    He urged the youth in the community to emulate the admiral who had made both the community and the nation proud in his career.

    Ofik was later honoured with the highest Chieftaincy title of Oje isi akon I of Ikuru Town, which means ”The First War Lord of Ikuru Town’’.

    He thanked the community for the honour done him and promised to help ensure security of lives and properties of the people.

    He urged the youth to shun vices and focus on attracting development to the area.

  • Oil bunkering: Why 14 foreigners were arrested, by EFCC

    Oil bunkering: Why 14 foreigners were arrested, by EFCC

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has heard why 14 foreigners, including three Russians, a Japanese and seven Britons who allegedly engaged in illicit oil trading were arrested.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them with dealing in petroleum products without licence.

    Testifying in their trial on Wednesday, EFCC’s investigator, Mr Abdullahi Allaya, said the accused persons, caught in a foreign-flagged vessel laden with petroleum products, flouted the law.

    “They were arrested on March 8 by the Nigerian Navy before they were handed over to us on April 27.  They used a foreign-flagged vessel with the flag of Panana, with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number 9393644.

    “They came into Nigeria with petroleum products onboard their vessel without any proper documentation, license or permit. They were also waiting for a directive from their employer to transfer petroleum products into a vessel called MV Norman Pacific.

    “There was no representative of government such as Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), or Navy to authorise the transaction.

    “There was no permit or approval from any of the agencies since they were doing coastal business. They imported petroleum products into Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone without any documentation.

    “All the relevant authorities responsible for issuing licences concerning maritime activities in Nigeria replied our letters, confirming that no licence or permit was issued to the accused to carry out transactions within the country’s waters,” Allaya testified.

    The accused persons are Arthur Pakhladzhian, Vasaliy Shkundich, Kretov Andrey (Russians), Sergio Abgarian (Japanese), Vitalis Biluos, Laguta Olesksiy, Chepikov Oleksan (Ukrainians), Hilarion Teofilo Regipor JR, Cadavis Gerardo, Baduria Benjamin, Naranjo Antero JR, Patro Christian, Alcayde Joel, Micheal Bryan (Britons). Also charged were MT Anuket Emerald, Monjasa DMCC, and Glencore Energy UK Ltd.

    EFCC said they committed the alleged offence in February 27 by allegedly storing 1,500 Metric Tons of Automated Gas Oil inside the MT Anuket Emerald’s Cargo tank.

    They had also allegedly stored 3,035 Metric Tons of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) in other tanks, all of which contravene sections 4, 17, 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and the Petroleum Act, Laws of Federation.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned on June 10.

    Prosecution counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedipo tendered some documents to prove that the accused carried the alleged illegal transaction. The documents were admitted as evidence.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned to Monday for cross examination.

  • Suspects get trial date for alleged oil bunkering

    THE Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed September 28 for the trial of 10 persons and a vessel, MV Peace, who were charged with dealing in a petroleum product without licence.

    They were arrested for dealing in 200 metric tons of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) without documentation from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

    Justice Mohammed Idris granted them bail for N2 million each.

    Their sureties, the judge said, must be property owners in Lagos and must swear to an affidavit of means, which must be verified.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the defendants conspired to commit the crime on April 4.

    They are the vessel’s captain James Abatan, Wasiu Owonikoko, Patrick Ameh, Johnson Ademola, Felix Otto, Chigozie Oguike, Olu Salisu, Jomo Gadagbe, Kunle Saheed and Rasheed Adio.

    The alleged offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (1) (6) (17) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, 2004.

    The accused were said to have stored the products without lawful authority, an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Petroleum Act of 2004.

    Justice Idris upheld defence counsel Dada Awoshika’s submission that the alleged offence was bailable.

    The judge said the effect of granting bail was not to set the suspects free, but to enable them attend trial conveniently since they are still presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said the Navy arrested the accused persons.

    He said when DPR analysed the vessel, it found AGO on it, but the accused persons were unable to produce genuine license authorising them to deal in the product.

    Oyedepo said the vessel is owned by a company called D Dove Oil and Maritime Services Limited with its registered address at Plot 2, Lateef Jakande Road, Agindingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

    According to him, when EFCC operatives visited the company, they could not find its directors, who he said must have hurriedly relocated to another location.

    He said other suspects in the case are still at large.