JTF uncovers, destroys 1,000 illegal refinery sites in the N-Delta

The Joint Task Force, JTF, on the Niger Delta codenamed Operation Restore yesterday destroyed over one thousand illegal refinery sites in the outskirts of Odiekhe community in the Ahoada West local government area of Rivers State.

Three large wooden boats referred to as “Cotonou Boat” by the locals, laden with crude oil, were also intercepted with four persons nabbed by the security operatives.

The operation to rid Odiekhe community of illegal refineries, which lasted about six hours, was launched in the early hours of the day by men of the JTF, led the Commanding Officer, Ibrahim Jafaru, and backed by MI-35 helicopter gunship.

One of the youths arrested identified himself as Peter Akpu an indigene of Afikpo North in Ebonyi State.

Two others, Friday Okirikeke (25) and Elo James, claimed to be from Isoko in Delta while another said he was from Abua community in Rivers State.

However, Akpu, 26, revealed that they were mere labourers and employed by a woman he identified as Madam Monica.

Akpu said “the refined product from here at Camp 1 and 2 are sold for N1,000 per 25 litres as against outside N2,500.”

Another suspect said the crude oil being refined at the illegal sites are procured from NNPC pipeline route along the Oluasiri creeks of Rivers State.

“After we load, we bring it to camp and cook (refine) it. We have many customers,”he said.

Speaking on the ongoing operation against illegal oil bunkering, the Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt Col. Timothy Antigha, said the operation against illegal sites will be sustained.

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Prisoners escape as Warri prison is bombed

The lives of two prison warders and other security agents at the Warri Central Prisons, Warri, Delta State, hung in the balance yesterday after they were shot by prisoners who successfully staged a jail break at the medium security prison.  
It was gathered that the prisoners used a bomb, suspected to be HED (homemade Explosive Device), to blast an escape hole through the Oki Street axis of the nearly-30ft-high prison wall.
Although the Controller of the prison, Chris Okoye, could not be reached for comment, a source said, “He reported hearing the blast  about 5pm. He said before then there was a scuffle between some of the prisoners, which was obviously diversionary.”
He said the blast occurred in a cell holding hardened criminals, including armed robbers and kidnappers.
The explosion reportedly occurred about 5pm, during the heavy rain that fell in the city and other neighbouring towns. Residents of nearby Upper, Essi and Mission roads reported hearing heavy gunfire during the time.
Eyewitnesses said the escaped prisoners wielded sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, the source of which could not be ascertained at press time. 
It was gathered that they turned the weapons on the wardens and other security agents at the scene after blowing the escape route.  
The Nation learnt that scores of wardens and mobile policemen attached to the prison were seriously injured; two who were critically shot were being treated at a secret location in the oil city.
Our correspondent could not immediately ascertain at the time of this report last night the number of prisoners that successful escaped from the prison located on Okereke Road by Upper Erejuwa Junction but it was gathered that at least two inmates were yet unaccounted for. 
“They blasted a hole through the prison wall and shot randomly at the warders and policemen on guard at the prison as they escaped through the leeway. Although it was not clear how they got the equipment in, the way they were used took everybody by surprise,” said a source. 
Information that the masterminds had external and possible inside assistance could not be immediately confirmed as no relevant official could be reached for comment.
At the time of filing this report, a combined team of security personnel comprising soldiers, mobile and regular policemen had taken over the area, ostensibly in search of the escapees. 



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Police station, Bank attacked in Bauchi

Suspected members of Boko Haram over the weekend attacked a Divisional police station and a branch of a new generation bank in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state. 
The attacks were carried out with a convoy of five cars in the town, which connects Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba states.
They reportedly killed a policeman guarding the bank and carted away undisclosed amount of money. 
A bike rider and a teenager were also reportedly injured during the ensuing cross-fire with security forces who they overpowered. 
Residents scampered for safety following bomb explosions, which rocked the area leading to many injuries.   
 The attack threw passers-by and petty traders in the area into confusion on hearing gunshots and sound explosives as they ran for their dear lives with some injuring themselves in the process.
An eyewitness who identified himself as Ali said “the people came in three vehicles and attacked the bank. They didn’t kill any body but I believe they took away a very huge sum of money’’
‘’When they came out of the bank, they started throwing some of the money at people who were not far from the bank but people were afraid to pick the money’’.
Spokesman of Bauchi Police Command, Mr. Mohammed Barau, could not be reached for confirmation.  



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Ajimobi: Why I withheld Akala’s pay

Following the allegation by the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, that his successor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, intentionally withheld his May salary, Ajimobi says, Alao-Akala lacked the moral right to make the claim, having violated a court order that forbade him(Akala) not to pay his severance allowance.

Ajimobi, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dr. Festus Adedayo, explained that the non-payment of the salary of the ex-governor and that of his aides was informed by the minimum wage of N18, 000 paid to the workers in the state.

The governor said there was nothing left in the state treasury after paying the minimum wage, adding that, in contravention of an injunction taken against him by a law court, Akala flagrantly paid himself and his aides  300 per cent of their annual salaries, which equal three-year salary, as severance package, leaving the treasury dry after.

He stressed that the action and financial recklessness by the Alao-Akala government had literally brought the state on its canvass.

He said the former governor  disregarded a lawful court judgment obtained by some retired judges that he should stop from paying either himself or his political office holders their severance allowances.

Akala, he said, disregarded this lawful judgment and, with impunity, emptied the treasury to pay a package which, in law, was supposed to be paid by the incoming government.

According to  Ajimobi, payment of the May salary in the state came in the heat of labour agitations for increment of salaries and due to the paucity of funds and the governor’s decision to prioritize payment of the increment as agitated by workers, there was no money left to pay political appointees

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Angry workers suspend leaders over compromise on N18,000

The current disagreement between workers and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress over the yet-to-be-resolved minimum wage  has led to the suspension of the leaders by their followers.

The alleged suspension followed the failure of the leaders to appear at the union secretariat at Agodi Gate to explain the latest development on their meeting with the state government.

State Chairman of the union, Mr. Bashir Olanrewaju and other leaders witnessed the annoyance of their fellow workers as stones and other objects were hurled at them for alleged compromise on the N18,000 minimum wage.

At the state secretariat of the union yesterday, the workers waited fruitlessly for their leaders to come and give them further details on the issue, but the leaders did not show up.

After waiting endlessly for them, they were annoyed and announced their suspension with immediate effect. They promised to visit the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana on the wage issue.

The aggrieved workers then directed their colleagues to abandon their duty posts on Monday and assemble at the office of the union.
Responding to the alleged strike, the State Chairman, NLC, Mr. Olanrewaju said he and other leaders of the union were waiting for further directive from the national leadership for the union.

He said, “I did not foist myself on them as the chairman of the NLC. If members of both sectors meet and decide that they no longer want me as their chairman, I will leave. Those who met and claimed to have suspended us are from the public service. There is still the private sector.

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