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Vandals or Victims? How Community Inaction Fuels Niger Delta’s Oil Crisis

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In March 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State after a catastrophic explosion rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline. Citing “alarming acts of vandalism by certain militant groups,” the declaration underscored the harsh reality that the Niger Delta—once the heartbeat of Nigeria’s oil prosperity—continues to grapple with crude-fueled violence, economic sabotage, and worsening environmental destruction driven by oil theft and pipeline vandalism.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Faced with falling oil production, worsening pollution, and deep-rooted distrust among stakeholders, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. The country must choose between allowing fractured systems and communities to deteriorate further, or forging a unified front against oil-related crimes to reclaim the future of the Niger Delta. In this context, the recent appeal by the Association of Niger Delta Monarchs of Nigeria (ANDMON) for concerted collaboration among government agencies, security forces, and oil companies is not just timely—it is essential.

According to NIVONEWS, Nigeria’s crude oil output has dropped sharply in recent years—plummeting by 27.4% from 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2014 to just 1.4 million bpd by July 2024. This decline is largely blamed on rampant pipeline vandalism, oil theft, illegal refining, and waning foreign investment fueled by growing insecurity and sabotage.

The financial fallout has been staggering. Between 2009 and 2018 alone, Nigeria reportedly lost about $42 billion to pipeline theft. At its peak, oil theft siphoned up to 470,000 barrels daily—amounting to more than $700 million in monthly losses. Updated estimates from 2019 to 2022 suggest cumulative losses exceeding $32 billion—funds that could have revolutionized infrastructure, healthcare, education, or settled a sizable portion of Nigeria’s external debt.

These figures speak to more than just poor enforcement—they reflect a systemic failure. According to studies cited by NIVONEWS, up to 80% of oil spills in the Niger Delta result not from technical faults but from deliberate sabotage. This points to a deadly mix of crumbling infrastructure, institutional lapses, and an environmental crisis spiraling out of control.

The motivations driving pipeline vandalism are complex. On one hand, poverty and rampant youth unemployment push many into oil theft and illegal refining—known locally as kpo fire—as a desperate means of survival. On the other hand, organized criminal networks with technical expertise and financial muscle execute massive theft operations for profit.

In some instances, acts of sabotage are intended as resistance. Militant groups like the Niger Delta Avengers have targeted oil infrastructure to protest ecological neglect and unmet development promises. This blend of socio-economic grievance, organized crime, and political dissent reveals the depth of the challenge.

Beyond the economic drain, the human and environmental toll is devastating. Oil spills seep into mangrove swamps, poison rivers, destroy farmlands, and kill marine ecosystems. In Goi, a spill in 2004 contaminated local water sources and triggered a fire that scorched 40 acres of mangrove forest. “We were eating, drinking, and breathing oil,” one local lamented.

The danger is not just ecological—it’s deadly. The 2006 Atlas Creek explosion, caused by illegal pipeline tapping, killed over 150 people. Displaced farmers and fishermen, stripped of their livelihoods, often turn to the same illicit activities that destroyed their communities—trapped in a vicious cycle.

Villages like Goi have become ghost towns, with homes and farmlands abandoned. The escalating insecurity has compelled oil companies—both foreign and domestic—to shut down operations. Militant attacks have repeatedly slashed Nigeria’s daily oil output below 1.4 million barrels, straining government revenue and national development.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, His Royal Majesty Frank Okurakpo, Odhe II, Chairman of ANDMON, urged all stakeholders to rally behind the Federal Government’s efforts to eradicate oil theft and pipeline sabotage. He praised President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Dr. Dennis Otuaro as head of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, emphasizing the need for increased funding.

“We are committed to helping the Federal Government exceed its OPEC production quota,” the monarch said, pointing to the effectiveness of renewed pipeline surveillance contracts with Tantita Security Services.

At a 2024 House of Representatives hearing, Oando PLC’s Philip Akuduro highlighted vandalism as the main cause of oil spills, adding that many such incidents involve local residents in host communities.

Environmental campaigner Nnimmo Bassey of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation criticized the slow government response to the May 6, 2025 Trans-Niger pipeline spill, calling it “negligent and dangerous.” He stressed the need to decommission aging oil wells rather than merely licensing new ones.

Echoing that sentiment, former Ogoni leader Ledum Mitee insisted that Shell’s divestment from onshore operations must come with legally binding cleanup obligations to prevent further ecological damage.

Across the Niger Delta, voices of concern continue to rise. Stakeholders are demanding a comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategy that includes:

  • Enhanced Security and Surveillance through expanded contracts with companies like Tantita, the deployment of drone and sensor technology, and the training of community-based patrol teams.

  • Economic Inclusion and Youth Empowerment by linking pipeline protection to community development, funding agribusiness, aquaculture, and clean energy projects, and fast-tracking disbursements to ex-militant entrepreneurs under the Amnesty Programme.

Only a united front—government, traditional rulers, civil society, and industry—can break the destructive cycle and steer the Niger Delta towards a safer, greener, and more prosperous future.

”NIVONEWS REPORTS”

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Breaking: IGP Reassigns Top Police Officers In Major Nationwide Shake-Up.

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has approved a major reshuffle involving more than 100 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) across various commands, formations and specialised units of the Nigeria Police Force.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The redeployment affects officers serving in operational, administrative, investigative and intelligence departments nationwide.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, which obtained an internal police wireless message dated November 13, 2026, the directive was issued from the Force Headquarters in Abuja and marked “MOST/IMMEDIATE.”

The communication, referenced DTO: 131635/11/2026, instructed affected commands, departments and formations to update their records to reflect the new postings.

The reshuffle covers several police formations, including the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), zonal and state commands, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad and INTERPOL section.

Under the new arrangement, ACP Rex Abiodun Enwelike has been posted as Area Commander in Ozoro, Delta State, while ACP Raji Ganiyu has been assigned to Area Command J in Ajah, Lagos State.

ACP Samuel Ijachi is now the Commandant of the 70 Police Mobile Force in Kabba, Kogi State, while ACP Ogunrin Mohammed Temitope has been posted to head the 16 PMF in Abeokuta, Ogun State. ACP Idris Bunu will serve as Commandant of the 75 PMF in Obudu, Cross River State.

Similarly, ACP Olajike Samuel Olusola has been deployed to the Department of Operations in Rivers State, while ACP Eluha Clever has been appointed Area Commander in Ahoada, Rivers State.

Other appointments include ACP Oluwale Fabelurin Joseph as Commandant of the 29 PMF in Awka, Anambra State, and ACP Yusuf J. Abdullahi, who has been assigned to the Department of Administration in Kebbi State.

The new postings also saw ACP Victor Olanrewaju Kalajaiye deployed as Area Commander in Iwo, Osun State, while ACP Sanusi Adamu takes charge of the Yauri Area Command in Kebbi State.

ACP Esther Nnaiwu and ACP Aremu Sikiru Adeniran have both been posted to the Department of Operations in Anambra State, while ACP Patrick Chukwuma Agbazue will head the 55 PMF in Aba, Abia State. ACP Aremu Olusola has also been assigned to the State Intelligence Department in Kebbi State.

In Kaduna State, ACP Yahaya Mainasara Maru has been appointed Area Commander of Metro, while ACP Bashir Sani will serve in the Intelligence and Investigation Unit of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Lagos.

ACP Temibra Taikumo Temikumo has been posted to the PSFU’s Administration Unit, while ACP Onanah Ari Umar will serve in the Special Fraud Unit. ACP Gilbert Ode Ogah has been deployed to the Force Monitoring and Intelligence Unit in Lagos, and ACP Mohammed Tanko Yakub to the PSFU Legal Unit.

Other officers affected include ACP Murtala Saidu, who has been posted to the Administration Unit of the Police Mobile Force at Force Headquarters, Abuja, and ACP Ibrahim Tijjani Umara, who will serve at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Benue State.

ACP Mustapha Mohammed Lawal has been assigned to the Administration Unit of the FCID Annex in Kaduna, while ACP Hadiza Ado has been posted to the Department of Operations, Zone 3, Yola.

ACP Yusuf Mapindi will serve in the Operations Unit of the PSFU in Lagos, while ACP Danjuma Ribah Garba has been deployed to the Department of Operations, Zone 5, Benin.

The reshuffle further affected ACP Babandi Ajiya, who has been posted to the Administration Unit of the Police College of Management and Strategic Studies, and ACP Garga Ibrahim Audu, who will serve in the Department of Finance and Administration, Zone 6, Calabar.

ACP Effiom Okon has been assigned to the Administration Unit of the Force Intelligence Department at Force Headquarters, Abuja, while ACP Mohammed Abubakar has been appointed Area Commander in Irua, Edo State. ACP Shehu Usman has also been posted to the State Intelligence Department in Ebonyi State.

Additionally, ACP Peter Ajah Oluohu has been deployed to the Anti-Fraud Section of the FCID in Abuja, while ACP Abdulaziz Madawaki has been appointed Deputy Commandant in Oyin-Akoko, Ondo State.

ACP Kayode Kehinde Oyetunji will serve in the Department of Operations in Oyo State, while ACP Emmanuel Kayode has been posted to the Seme border formation. ACP Kolawole O. Aremu will serve in the Department of Finance and Administration in Ebonyi State, and ACP Olakunle Fabul uje has been assigned to the Zonal Intelligence Department, Zone 10, Sokoto State.

Other senior officers affected include ACP Abdulkadir Wada, posted as Area Commander in Umuoma, Imo State, and ACP George Friday Clement, deployed to the South-West office of the Nigeria Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

ACP Michael Kayode Fadipe has been assigned to the Department of Operations, Zone 6, Calabar, while ACP Gboya Abraham Gana will head the Egbeda Area Command in Oyo State. ACP Yakubu Olufemi Kazeem has been posted to Afikpo, Ebonyi State, while ACP Frank Azubuike Amobi will serve as Area Commander in Owo, Ondo State.

The postings also assigned ACP Kenneth Iyayi as Area Commander in Lokoja, Kogi State, and ACP Emmanuel Abuh to the X-Squad in Kebbi State.

ACP Yahaya Ibrahim has been deployed to the Administration Unit of the Force Provost Marshal at Force Headquarters, Abuja, while ACP Titus Kehinde Adewale will head the Lantang Area Command in Plateau State.

ACP Wesleys Obed has been posted to the State Intelligence Department in Ekiti State, while ACP Ekundayo Olutekunbi will serve as Area Commander in Shagamu, Ogun State.

Further deployments include ACP Francis Obigwa as Area Commander in Agbara, Ogun State, and ACP Ishaq A. Ibrahim as Commandant of the 57 PMF in Ukana.

ACP Nasiru Adamu Kaila has been posted to the State Intelligence Department in Bayelsa State, while ACP Doris U. England will serve in the Department of Operations in Kogi State.

ACP Umar Ibrahim Wurno has been assigned to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bayelsa State, ACP Reuben Onah to the X-Squad in the state, and ACP Emilia Mami as Area Commander in Ezinithitte, Imo State.

The reshuffle also saw ACP Kenneth C. Anuebunwa appointed Area Commander in Igbeti, Oyo State, while ACP Adejokun Ademola will head the Ringim Area Command in Jigawa State.

ACP Hadi Musa has been deployed to the X-Squad in Niger State, while ACP Ibrahim Usman will serve in the Department of Operations, Zone 7, Abuja.

ACP Aborode O. Tope has been posted to the State Intelligence Department in Kwara State, while ACP Abdullahi Usman will oversee the Eastern Port Area Command in Port Harcourt.

ACP Efanga Offiong has been assigned to the Department of Operations, Zone 9, Umuahia, while ACP Godwin Oko Onah will serve in the Department of Finance and Administration of the Railway Police in Lagos.

Other postings include ACP Kalu Uche Nnanna as Assistant Director at the NCCSALW under the Office of the National Security Adviser in Kaduna, and ACP Bello Oro to the Department of Operations in Ebonyi State.

ACP Lewi Suleiman has been appointed Area Commander in Orifite, Anambra State, while ACP Kumzi Naniwat will serve in the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 6, Calabar.

ACP Chukwu Chimeze has been posted to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Railway Police, while ACP Anthony Omogbemi Alabi will head the Geidam Area Command in Yobe State.

The list further includes ACP Mohammed Hadi Nguru, posted to the X-Squad, Zone 15, Maiduguri, and ACP Ismaila Adamu Damagun, appointed Area Commander in Ifo, Ogun State.

ACP Odunayo Moruf Liasu will head the Munguno Area Command in Borno State, while ACP Bukar Ali Abba has been deployed to the X-Squad in Anambra State.

ACP Musa Mohammed Saleh has been assigned to the Department of Operations of the Airport Police in Lagos, while ACP Adeniyi Olurunwa Ogundele and ACP Ibrahim Akinniyi have been appointed Area Commanders in Ilesha and Ile-Ife, respectively, in Osun State.

ACP Seyi Williams Olubuyi will serve as Area Commander in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

The redeployment also affected ACP Gaiya Ahmed, who has been posted to the X-Squad in Kaduna State, and ACP Suleiman A. Yandaki, who will serve in the Intelligence Unit of the Force Intelligence Department at the FCID Annex in Lagos.

ACP Sani Ahmed has been deployed to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Ekiti State, while ACP Yusuf Ali will serve in the Zonal Intelligence Department, Zone 16, Yenagoa.

ACP Ezenware N. Kenneth has been assigned to the Administration and Operations Department at Force Headquarters, Abuja, while ACP Babayo Adamu Sambo will head the Agodi Area Command in Oyo State.

ACP Ibrahim Oyetundscr has also been posted to the Operations Unit of the NCCSALW, South-South office, under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

In the final batch of postings, ACP Tobi Debakeme has been appointed Area Commander in Ilofa, Kwara State, while ACP Segun Adedayo Oluwaseyi will head the Pankshin Area Command in Plateau State.

ACP George Edore has been posted to the Department of Finance and Administration in Kwara State, while ACP Williams Oladiran Oladipo will serve in the Police Library and Studies Unit in Jos.

ACP Salawu Olayinka has been assigned to the Department of Finance and Administration in Sokoto State, while ACP Abraham Yisa will serve in the Department of Operations, Western Port, Lagos.

Other officers named in the communication include ACP Isaac Olumbambo Fabiyi, deployed to the Department of Operations, Zone 12, Bauchi; ACP Gowon Boka, appointed Area Commander in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State; and ACP James Nwosu, posted to Isuikwuato, Abia State.

ACP Sati Abari has been appointed Area Commander in Daudu, Benue State, while ACP Daniel Wetben has been deployed to the Litigation Unit of the Legal Department at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

ACP Stephen Onwochei will serve in the General Investigation Unit of the FCID Annex in Kaduna, while ACP Lateef Tunde Akanbi has been posted as Area Commander in Ang Damasak, Borno State.

The remaining deployments include ACP Musa Azi to the Administration Unit, Zone 12, Bauchi; ACP Ikechukwu Ogoegbunam to the X-Squad in Bauchi State; and ACP Usman Musa as Area Commander in Wukari, Taraba State.

ACP Awus Ofor Anje has been posted to the Birnin Gwari Area Command in Kaduna State, while ACP Isah Kabiru will serve in the Administration Unit of the Department of Training and Development at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

ACP Azogor Edu has also been deployed to the Department of Operations, Zone 2, Lagos, while ACP Casimir Ihiezu was listed among the officers affected by the reshuffle.

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‘Kwankwaso Is More Experienced Than Peter Obi’ – Buhari’s Ex-Aide Declares.

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Ahmad made the assertion in a post on his X handle, maintaining that Kwankwaso’s decision to accept the position of running mate should be seen as an act of political modesty rather than an indication that he is less qualified than Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the former presidential aide, the relationship between the two politicians should be viewed as one of equals rather than that of a superior and a subordinate.

“To be entirely candid, the political dynamic between Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi ought to be characterised as one of collegiality between peers, rather than a hierarchy of principal and subordinate,” he wrote.

He added, “The choice to assume a deputy role beneath Obi ought to be interpreted as a testament to political modesty.”

Making a case for Kwankwaso’s political experience, Ahmad recalled that the former Kano State governor served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives before Obi became a prominent figure in national politics.

He also noted that Kwankwaso governed Kano State, which he described as Nigeria’s most populous and politically influential state, for two terms and served as a federal minister.

“If we are assessing political experience, Sen. Kwankwaso probably has a longer and more impressive political background than Peter Obi,” Ahmad stated.

In contrast, the former presidential aide argued that Obi’s major public office experience was limited to his tenure as governor of Anambra State.

“Unlike other candidates, Peter Obi was just a former governor of Anambra State,” he wrote.

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‘I Have Stopped Impregnating Women’ – 2Baba Makes Shocking Revelation.

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Nigerian music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has declared that he no longer impregnates women.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The singer made the statement on Saturday during a live performance at Rehab Lounge in Calgary, Canada.

While performing his hit song True Love, 2Baba paused to interact with the audience and playfully asked the women present to identify where his true love was.

He jokingly wondered whether she was standing at the back of the venue or somewhere in front of him before making a remark about his experiences with women.

The award-winning musician told the audience that he had stopped getting women pregnant, adding that he had been making the same confession wherever he performed recently.

He said, “For the purpose of this show, I will pretend like I’ve never seen anything before. Where’s my true love? Is she back there? Is she right here? Is she somewhere here? Where’s my true love? You people shouldn’t put out me for trouble.

“As I said, some ladies they fear to shout. See, everywhere I go these days, I make this confession. As I say, some ladies they fear to shout. I say, I don’t fear to shout. Because I don’t stop to dey give woman belle. Ask anyone, they’ll tell you, I don’t do such thing things again.”

The singer’s comment comes amid public interest in his personal life and relationships.

2Baba was previously married to Nollywood actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia. The couple announced their separation in January 2025 after having two children together.

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