Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 15 suspected oil thieves around the Ibeju Lekki axis of Lagos State.
This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
The report revealed that the suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Friday by troops of Headquarters 9 Brigade in conjunction with 65 Battalion, following credible intelligence.
It clarified that the suspects were intercepted while attempting to illegally tap into a crude oil discharge point from a vessel supplying crude to the Dangote Refinery.
“The vessel was discharging crude oil to the refinery for the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) when the suspects were caught trying to connect pipes to the discharge point,” it said.
The report said the operation led to the arrest of 15 suspects and recovery of several items used in the illegal activity.
According to the report, recovered items include a Mack tanker truck, a Lexus RX 350 sport utility vehicle, and a Ford Ranger pick-up truck.
Other items are a pumping machine, a 40HP Yamaha speedboat engine, and multiple hose pipes.
“The suspects and exhibits are currently in the custody of 65 Battalion, while further investigations are ongoing. The successful operation underscores ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army to protect critical national infrastructure and curb crude oil theft across the country,” it said.
(NAN)
United Nigeria grounds three aircraft over bird strike
United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has said three aircraft in its fleet have been grounded in the last 48 hours on account of bird strike.
Chibuike Uloka, the Public Relations Officer of UNA who disclosed this in a statement on Friday said the company suffered another bird strike on an Embraer 190 aircraft at Benin City Airport on Thursday.
He said the affected aircraft, which had been withdrawn as a result of damage on its Nose Landing Gear, was Flight UN0561 on its way from Benin Airport to Abuja.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), bird strike is a collision between a bird and a moving aircraft, occurring most frequently during takeoff or landing at low altitudes.
The impact of bird strike can cause significant damage to engines, windshields, and airframes.
United Nigeria said the Benin Airport incident was the third in the last 48 hours and seventh since Jan. 7 l.
It said that the frequency of bird strikes on its operations had assumed an extremely concerning and unacceptable pattern, given its impact on safety.
“While our operating aircraft have experienced multiple bird strike incidents, we report only those that have resulted in aircraft being grounded due to damaged part(s). We urge the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to strengthen wildlife hazard management measures across major airports to minimise the risk of such occurrences.
“We sincerely apologise to our passengers for any inconvenience to their travel plans resulting from service disruptions caused by multiple bird strikes,” it said.
(NAN)
