Tag: Niger Delta

$25.7bn lost: ‘Nigeria’s crude theft crisis tied to elites, militants’ – Report

Aminu Imam
Crude theft crisis

Nigeria has lost an estimated $25.7 billion (roughly ₦39.3 trillion) worth of crude oil to theft in 23 years, deepening poverty, slashing government revenue, and pushing public debt to ₦149.4 trillion. Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, (NUPRC), shows about 353 million barrels were stolen between 2002 and 2025 – nearly 72% of the country’s 2025 budget at an average price of $73 per barrel. Despite spending ₦267.98 billion on pipeline security in just 16 months, theft remains rampant due to an organised network of powerful elites, militants,…

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Atiku, el-Rufa’i warned against moves to stop Tinubu’s 2027 re-election

Aminu Imam
Atiku, el Rufa'i warned

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i have been warned to desist from any alleged plot to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chances of securing re-election in 2027. The warning came from the Coalition of Niger Deltans for Equity and Justice (CNDEJ), a socio-political group in the South-South, which accused the northern coalition linked to both leaders of attempting to truncate the South’s rightful opportunity to complete an eight-year presidential tenure. In an issued statement signed by its spokesman, Prince Meshach Bebenimibo, and issued in Warri, the…

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N’Delta: Army uncovers 27 illegal refineries, nabs 43 oil thieves 

Aminu Imam
Army uncovers

The Nigerian Army, 6 Division said its troops have uncovered 27 fresh illegal refining sites and arrested 43 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta region. Also, it said operatives recovered 161,000 litres of stolen products during a nearly two-week operation in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta States, respectively. The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public, Lt. Col. Jonah ÆŠanjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday. The statement read in part: “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have arrested 43 suspected oil…

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Rivers: Niger-Delta pirates kidnap 19 passengers in boat hijacking

Aminu Imam
Niger Delta pirates kidnap

No fewer than 19 travelers were kidnapped along the Isaka River in Okrika local government area of Rivers State on Tuesday. Reports indicate that one of the boats was heading to Bonny Island, while the other was en route to the Cawthorne Channel in Bille, Degema local government area when the incident occurred Confirming the development, the Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Port Harcourt Commercial District, Israel Pepple, described the situation as unfortunate. Pepple revealed that the pirates also made away with goods and…

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Oil Theft:  Ijaw group alleges Navy conniving with ship owners to steal crude 

Aminu Imam
Ijaw Group alleges

The Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, (IPDI), has lambasted the Nigerian Navy, saying it is a disappointment, alleging it made no achievements while it held the pipeline surveillance responsibility. The group’s anger follows a recent allegation by Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, that the Navy is sabotaging its efforts in the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region. According to reports, IPDI National Coordinator, Austin Ozobo, in a telephone chat, claimed that rather than make positive achievements, the country bled economically under Navy surveillance, stressing that…

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“Coastal communities can earn up to N320m/p.a in carbon credits – Tantita

Aminu Imam
IMG 20240925 WA0028

Carbon sustainability campaign in Nigeria received a boost yesterday, with the suggestion by Tantita Security Services for the adoption of carbon credit schemes, which could see communities earn over N320 million yearly. Executive Director, Operations, Tantita Security, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, made this recommendation while delivering the Guest Lecture at the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) 4th Annual Symposium and Workshop, in Lagos, on Tuesday. In his presentation, titled: “Achieving Blue Growth In A Changing Climate – Integrating the Coastal Communities”, Capt. Warredi disclosed that Tantita Security realized the importance…

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N’Delta communities demand investigation into illegal crude oil export

Aminu Imam
N'Delta communities

The Niger-Delta Concerned Host Communities, (NDCHC), has petitioned both the United Nations Secretary-General and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, calling for an investigation into the illegal export of crude oil from Nigeria. In a press statement issued yesterday, the group has urged INTERPOL and the new Director-General of the Department of Security Services (DSS) to probe the involvement of security forces and militia groups in the sophisticated theft of the country’s oil. According to the NDCHC, oil theft has led to a revenue loss of N2.3 trillion for Nigeria in 2023…

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“End this hunger scourge now,” – N’Delta Bishops, ministers tell Tinubu

Aminu Imam
N'Delta Bishops

An association of Bishops and ministers in the Niger-Delta has cried out on behalf of hungry people in the oil region, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end hunger now. The President of the association, Julius Ediwe, an archbishop, said the association was acutely aware of the deteriorating situation. “Actually, there is suffering and hunger in the land. We cannot deny that.” He therefore lamented: “President Tinubu, please, hear the cry of the people. People are dying, people are suffering. I do not know how else to put it. Whatever…

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Protests: ‘Reduce fuel price to barest minimum @N180/ltr’ – N’Delta Youths tell Tinubu

Aminu Imam

As the #EndBadGovernance national protest enters day three, a socio-political group in the South-South, the Niger-Delta Youth Council has called on President Bola Tinubu to “address the main cause of the protest by reducing fuel price to N180 per litre, or the barest minimum, for the sake of the national economy”. In an issued statement  yesterday, jointly signed by the NDYC President,  Bene Mamamu and Secretary, Onitsha Shedrack, copies of which were made available to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, the group specifically urged Tinubu to “revisit some of his…

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Niger Delta: Shell to face human rights claims in UK over chronic oil pollution

Aminu Imam

Thousands of Nigerian villagers can bring human rights claims against the fossil fuel company Shell over the chronic oil pollution of their water sources and destruction of their way of life, the high court in London has ruled. A judge, Mrs. Justice May ruled, this week, that more than 13,000 farmers and fishers from the Ogale and Bille communities in the Niger-Delta were entitled to bring legal claims against Shell for alleged breaches to their right to a clean environment. The judge ruled it was arguable the pollution had fundamentally…

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