An effort to probably enable Abuja to acquire the status of an oil-producing domain has resulted in officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with security agencies, on Thursday, burst an alleged illegal oil refining warehouse, in Mabushi, Abuja.

The warehouse, located opposite Mobile Filling Station along Ahmadu Bello Way, Mabushi, was thereafter, demolished by the Department of Development Control, FCTA.

The Director of the department, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the refining warehouse was discovered during the ongoing city cleaning exercise.

Galadima said the warehouse, covering about three to four plots of land designated for commercial purposes had been converted to illegal operations where oil like diesel and other petroleum products were being adulterated.

He said the city sanitation task force would look into the provision of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCT Administration for further actions on the plots used for the illegal activities.

The director, who explained that no arrest was made, however, said some of the items being used in carrying out the illegal activity have been impounded.

*Some of the items recovered at the alleged illegal refining warehouse in Mabushi, Abuja

“We have done the needful by moving the items to Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“From what we have seen so far, about three or four plots of lands designated for commercial purposes have been converted to unapproved activities.

“We believe that the owners are fully aware, and as such, there will be consequences.

“We are going to look at the provision of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCT Administration,” he said.

He said the administration would be tough on any contravention of land use without approval.

The Nigeria Army said it would deploy its Special Forces to tackle banditry and other security challenges in three local government areas of Benue State.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, disclosed this on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy call to Gov. Hyacinth Alia at the Government House, Makurdi.

Lagbaja said the special forces would be deployed to Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala to restore peace in the local government areas.

He said he had discussed with the Commander, 4 Special Forces in Doma, Nasarawa State, and agreed to take steps to address the security challenges in Benue.

“By next week we will deploy Special Forces to ensure that peace returns in Zaki Biam in Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala LGAs.

“The troops will work in conjunction with the existing military operations already in the area.

“We will also ensure that all the IDPs currently occupying public schools return to their homes so that students can continue with their learning.

“We are readily available to assist the state if such a request is within our mandate.

“The troops will work to ensure that all law-abiding citizens enjoy their freedom and go about their normal lives,” Lagbaja said. 

The Army Chief appreciated the Benue Government for its support of the military. 

Lagbaja said he was on a tour of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, Makurdi, and 4 Special Forces in Doma, to physically assess the living conditions of troops and their families. 

Earlier, Gov. Alia commended Lagbaja for listening to their cries and taking further steps to ensure all displaced persons return to their homes.

Alia said the result of the ongoing research in the state by Senior Course 46 students of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, should be implemented to ensure peace and stability in the state. 

The governor pledged continuous partnership and support to the military and other security agencies to restore peace to the state. 

The Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, General Buba Marwa (rtd) has lauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) for its pivotal role in cleansing the country of illicit drugs. 

Marwa who was represented by the Director of Narcotics, Samuel Gazama at the handing over of illicit drugs to the agency stressed the severe societal threat posed by Cannabis Sativa and affirmed the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to collaboration with the NCS in the relentless fight against drug trafficking. 

“We will not relent until our battles on drug trafficking are achieved,” Gazama stated.

 NCS delivered a blow to drug cartels operating within the nation’s coastal waters and land borders by handing over hard substances, suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and Tramadol, to NDLEA. 

The handover ceremony occurred on Thursday, 23 November 2023, at the Customs Warehouse in Karu, Abuja.

During a joint press briefing, Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC  Adewale Adeniyi MFR, disclosed that the illicit substances were seized in operations conducted by the Western Marine Command, FOU Zone ‘A,’ and Zone ‘B’ formations. Notable contributors to this effort included the Ogun 1 Area Command and Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C.’

The CGC stated that the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) solidified their commitment to combat drug trafficking by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 4 April 2023.

CGC Adeniyi emphasized the significance of community support in the battle against drug trafficking, stating, “This is a battle for every citizen.” He detailed the seized items, including 13,567 parcels of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘A,’ 1,511 parcels and 292 bags of Indian Hemp from Zone ‘B,’ and 3,213 parcels and blocks, along with 935 sacks of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘C’.

From Ogun I Command, 2,223 wraps and 144 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing a total of 3,312.7kg, were seized. Additionally, the Western Marine Command contributed with 2,205 parcels weighing 624kg.