NEWS
Navy Records Major Gains Against Oil Theft, Kidnapping in Bayelsa — NNS SOROH
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH says it has recorded significant operational successes in the fight against crude oil theft, piracy and kidnapping across Bayelsa waterways under Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS).
The Base Operations Officer, Lt.-Cmdr. E.C. Igwe disclosed this on Wednesday during a media visit to the naval base, led by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja.
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Igwe said NNS SOROH, operating under the Central Naval Command and Sector 2 of Operation DELTA SAFE, covers about 107 nautical miles from the Ramos River to the San Bartholomew River, securing critical maritime infrastructure vital to Nigeria’s economy.
According to him, the base exercises operational control over Forward Operating Base Koluama and Naval Outpost Kulama, which serve as force multipliers for riverine and coastal operations.
“Between January to date, NNS SOROH has deactivated over 12 boats, dismantled more than 15 illegal refining sites, and handled about 800,000 litres of suspected crude oil, over two million litres of adulterated crude, and 30,000 litres of products suspected to be AGO, all in line with extant regulations,” he said.
Igwe noted that sustained naval pressure had forced oil theft syndicates to change tactics by moving smaller quantities with smaller boats, but added that the Navy had remained resolute.
On anti-piracy and anti-militancy operations, he said naval personnel conducted several raids across key flashpoints, including a June 27, 2025 operation in Peremabiri community that led to the arrest of a suspected militant and the recovery of an HK machine gun and ammunition.
The officer also highlighted successes in anti-kidnapping operations, citing the March 7, 2025 abduction of a Niger Delta Development Commission official in Ayakoro community, where swift naval response forced the kidnappers to release the victim unharmed.
“In May 2025, intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of one suspect connected to the incident, who was handed over for further investigation,” he added.
Beyond kinetic operations, Igwe said NNS SOROH had sustained non-kinetic engagements, including medical and educational outreach programmes and proactive flood mitigation efforts, as well as peace-brokering interventions between feuding communities.
He emphasised that media engagement had enhanced public confidence, improved intelligence flow and discouraged collaboration between host communities and criminal elements, though he cautioned against unregulated social media reporting that could compromise operations.
Igwe reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining maritime security in Bayelsa, while calling for strengthened media collaboration and community partnership to enhance early warning and intelligence gathering.
The media tour forms part of Defence Headquarters’ efforts to promote transparency and public awareness of military operations across the Niger Delta.
NAN
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerians to embrace accountability and maintain zero tolerance for corruption as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
Olukoyede made the call in Abuja on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in his Independence Day message to Nigerians.
He applauded ongoing efforts to strengthen and reform the country, describing them as “building blocks of the greater nation we desire.”
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The EFCC Chairman urged Nigerians to complement the government’s reform-focused initiatives by rejecting corruption in all its forms.
“At 66, Nigeria has come a long way. Independence has offered us liberty and self-determination. We are also making considerable progress in nation building. All these efforts are significant. They are the building blocks of the greater nation we desire. Let’s therefore couple all our reform-focused initiatives with zero tolerance for corruption,” he said.
Olukoyede stressed that corrupt practices could undermine the country’s development efforts and called for purposeful rejection of compromises.
“We cannot be building and allow corrupt practices to vitiate our efforts. Progress only comes with purposeful rejection of compromises. Nigeria will surely get better!” he said.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would continue to improve, while emphasizing the need for citizens to reject corrupt practices in all their forms.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said a “new, albeit far better, Nigeria is achievable,” urging Nigerians to remain committed to building a country worthy of the sacrifices of its founding fathers and the trust of future generations.
Sani stated this in his Independence Day message on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary.
The governor described Nigeria as “the world’s most populous black nation, a source of African pride and a beacon of possibility,” saying its cultural richness, human ingenuity and resilience had sustained the country through difficult periods.
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He expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the government’s responsibility was to ensure prosperity reaches households and create opportunities for children.
On security, Sani said, “A farmer must be able to cultivate his land, a trader open her shop and a child attend school without fear.”
He urged Nigerians to embrace their diversity, saying, “Our diversity is our strength,” while calling on citizens to reject prejudice and attempts to turn differences into division.
The governor also stressed accountability in public service.
“We shall ultimately account for our stewardship before Almighty God,” he said, urging public officials to act with wisdom, integrity and compassion.
He added: “The authority entrusted to us obliges us to serve faithfully, protect public resources and leave our communities better than we found them.”
Sani also said democracy must deliver tangible benefits to citizens, including “security, opportunity and wellbeing.”
He wished Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary and prayed for peace, prosperity and stronger national unity.
Former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has described Nigeria as a resilient nation that has continued to survive various challenges and periods of turbulence.
Sani stated this in an Independence Day message shared on X on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary of independence.
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He said no nation exists without challenges, noting that while some countries had failed to survive difficult periods, Nigeria had continued to overcome its own storms and turbulence.
According to him, Nigeria has a history of overcoming obstacles and prevailing against the odds.
Sani acknowledged that the country may not have met the expectations of those who wished it well or believed in it, but said Nigeria had also continued to disappoint pessimistic predictions about its future.
He added that the country had also defied the expectations of what he described as its foes and “prophets of doom.”
“Nigeria; A resilient nation with nine lives,” Sani wrote as he congratulated the country on its 66th Independence Anniversary.
Nigeria @66: ‘We Cannot Be Building and Allow Corrupt Practices’ — Olukoyede
Independence Day: ‘A New, Far Better Nigeria Is Achievable’ — Uba Sani
Nigerians Must Rise, Reject Inducement and Intimidation at Polls — PDP Chairman
Independence Day: Nigeria Is a Resilient Nation With Nine Lives — Shehu Sani
‘Another Speech to Tell Us, It Is Well’ — Oseni Rufai Reacts to Tinubu’s Address
Reno Omokri Praises Tinubu’s Independence Day Address, Says Nigeria Is in ‘Sound Hands’
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