Crime
Nigerian Army Arrests 28 Suspected Oil Thieves, Seizes 290,000 Litres of Stolen Fuel in Niger Delta
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested 28 suspected oil thieves and seized more than 290,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a series of raids across the Niger Delta region.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The arrests were made during coordinated operations by troops of the Army’s 6 Division in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other agencies. The operations targeted sites used for illegal oil refining and bunkering in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states, the Army said in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, troops intercepted trucks, boats, and containers loaded with stolen crude oil and illegally refined products. They also dismantled makeshift refining facilities and recovered large quantities of equipment, including pumping machines, hoses, and metal tanks.
“The suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence about their involvement in illegal oil activities,” said Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division. “Our troops will continue to sustain the pressure on criminal elements until oil theft is completely eliminated from the region.”
Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Eric Emekah, the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to remain committed to the fight against economic sabotage. He said the army will maintain close coordination with other security agencies to ensure the protection of national assets.
Oil theft and illegal refining have long been major challenges in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s oil-producing hub. The government estimates that the country loses hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil daily to illegal bunkering, costing billions of dollars in lost revenue and environmental damage.
In recent months, the military has intensified patrols and surveillance across oil-producing communities to curb the illicit trade. Several arrests have been made, and dozens of illegal refineries have been destroyed as part of Operation Delta Safe, a joint task force operation launched to secure the region.
Security analysts say the latest arrests demonstrate growing coordination among the security agencies. However, they caution that long-term success will depend on consistent enforcement and addressing the root causes of oil theft, including poverty and unemployment in local communities.
“This operation is a step in the right direction, but it must be sustained,” said energy analyst Kelvin Onyekachi. “Beyond arrests, the government should create economic opportunities in the Niger Delta to reduce the lure of illegal refining.”
The seized petroleum products will be handed over to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for proper handling, while the suspects are expected to face prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-bunkering laws, the Army said.
Authorities have urged residents of the Niger Delta to report suspicious activities to security agencies and warned that anyone caught aiding or abetting oil theft will be prosecuted.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country’s economic interests and ensuring that legitimate oil operations can thrive without interference from criminal networks.
“Oil theft is not just a crime against the state,” Lt. Col. Danjuma said. “It is a crime against every Nigerian whose future depends on the stability of our economy. We will not relent until this menace is defeated.”
According to Nivo News, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed 5,000 new members in Abia State on Saturday, following the recent entry of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The mass defection was led by Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Accord Party, in his hometown of Umuaku, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area. Supporters who joined him also left their former political affiliations, including the South East Mandate for Good Governance, to align with the ADC.
Nwankpa explained that his decision to join the ADC was driven by a strong conviction, noting that the party’s manifesto resonates with his political philosophy, emphasizing people-oriented governance, social justice, and sustainable development. He described the ADC as a credible, progressive platform capable of fostering inclusive governance and rebuilding public trust in Nigerian politics.
The Abia State Chairman of the ADC, Don Norman Obinna, formally welcomed Nwankpa and his followers, stating that the country’s political trajectory is increasingly favoring the ADC.
The Abia State Police Command has reported the arrest of 809 suspects and the recovery of 88 firearms in 438 cases across the state from January 2025 to date.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa provided the update on Friday during a briefing at his office, outlining the operational strategies and achievements of the Command during the period under review. He disclosed that 435 rounds of ammunition were recovered from suspected criminals and that over 200 suspects have been successfully prosecuted, with several jailed for various offenses.
The CP further revealed that 33 children who had been kidnapped or trafficked were rescued within and outside the state, with the suspects involved prosecuted and some already imprisoned. “We have sent a lot of people to jail. A clear message has been passed that it is no longer business as usual for criminals in Abia State,” Isa stated.
He highlighted that the state’s crime rate has declined under his leadership, attributing the success to support from Governor Alex Otti, provision of logistics, and collaboration with community stakeholders. Isa also noted that officers encountered non-state actors on several occasions, who were neutralized and disarmed.
The Police Commissioner urged residents to continue providing credible information on suspicious activities to further strengthen the fight against crime. Firearms and other weapons recovered from suspects were displayed at the Police headquarters in Umuahia for the media.
According to Nivo News, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) has arrested high-profile cybercrime suspects linked to a sophisticated Microsoft 365 phishing operation that targeted the email systems of major corporate organisations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The arrests followed actionable intelligence received from Microsoft Corporation in the United States through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which exposed the deployment of an advanced phishing toolkit known as RaccoonO365. The toolkit was designed to create counterfeit Microsoft login pages capable of harvesting user credentials and unlawfully accessing corporate, financial, and educational email platforms.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the cybercrime centre launched a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in partnership with Microsoft, the FBI, and the United States Secret Service. He explained that investigations traced multiple cases of unauthorised Microsoft 365 account access recorded between January and September 2025 to phishing emails crafted to closely mimic legitimate Microsoft authentication portals.
According to police findings, the cyberattacks resulted in business email compromise, data breaches, and significant financial losses across several jurisdictions. Acting on precise intelligence, NPF–NCCC operatives conducted targeted operations in Lagos and Edo states, leading to the arrest of three suspects. Searches carried out at their residences yielded laptops, mobile phones, and other digital devices, which forensic analysis directly linked to the fraudulent activities.
Further investigations identified Okitipi Samuel, also known by the aliases “RaccoonO365” and “Moses Felix,” as the principal suspect and alleged developer of the phishing infrastructure. Police said he operated a Telegram channel through which phishing links were sold in exchange for cryptocurrency and hosted fake login portals on Cloudflare using stolen or fraudulently obtained email credentials.
The police clarified that there was no evidence connecting the two other arrested individuals to the creation or management of the phishing scheme. The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s digital environment through the use of advanced technology, enhanced international cooperation, and thorough investigative and prosecutorial processes aimed at combating evolving cyber threats.
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