The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano State Sector Command, has arrested a suspected motorcycle snatcher, Abdullahi Ali, for allegedly impersonating FRSC personnel to commit a crime within the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Sector’s Public Education Officer (SPEO), Abdullahi Labaran, on Tuesday in Kano.

Labaran said that the suspect, a resident of Bela village in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, was arrested on Jan. 19, following several complaints from members of the public over the activities of hoodlums.

He said that the hoodlums pose as FRSC officials to unlawfully arrest motorcycles during illegal patrol operations.

He said that operatives of the FRSC intelligence unit acted on credible information, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

Labaran, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect forcefully arrested motorcycles while impersonating as FRSC personnel, with some of the motorcycles suspected to have been stolen afterwards.

“A fake driver’s licence was recovered from the suspect during the arrest, confirming the alleged use of false identity to perpetrate criminal acts.”

“The suspect has been handed over to Gwale Divisional Police Station for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.”

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“He is not a staff member of FRSC. The general public should remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals impersonating law enforcement officers,” he said.

The SPEO advised members of the public to verify the identity of officers before complying with any enforcement action.

He reiterated the FRSC’s commitment to protecting people’s lives and property, assuring continued collaboration with sister security agencies to rid Kano State of criminal elements.

Nigeria’s economy is projected to grow above five per cent in 2026, driven by oil and gas reforms and improving macroeconomic stability, CFG Advisory CEO, Mr Tilewa Adebajo, said.

Adebajo made the projection on Tuesday at the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s 2026 Economic Outlook in Lagos.

The outlook exceeds the International Monetary Fund’s 4.4 per cent and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s 4.49 per cent growth forecasts for 2026.

He expressed cautious optimism, saying reforms had stabilised the economy, but warned that “the real challenge is converting stability into sustainable, inclusive growth”.

Adebajo said Nigeria’s reform agenda lacked clarity, noting that tax reforms were “less critical than deeper fiscal reforms needed to drive productivity”.

He said domestic and foreign investments remained at historic lows, with foreign direct investment below five per cent over the past decade.

According to him, weak industrial development, declining manufacturing, and the absence of a coherent industrial policy continue to constrain growth.

In spite of challenges, he said Nigeria retained strong potential, citing an informal sachet economy valued between 30 and 40 billion dollars annually.

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On public finance, Adebajo described Nigeria’s roughly 100 billion dollar debt as unsustainable, with revenues largely consumed by debt servicing.

He noted that the 2026 debt service provision of N15.52 trillion exceeds combined allocations to security, defence, education and health.

Adebajo urged urgent asset sales and privatisation, especially in oil and gas, to raise 15 to 50 billion dollars for debt restructuring.

He also called for restructuring opaque oil contracts and recapitalising NNPC Ltd. to improve transparency, reduce borrowing costs and boost output.

While acknowledging improved oil activity, he warned that interest rates around 35 per cent were stifling credit, consumption and economic activity.

He projected single-digit inflation, easing interest rates near 20 per cent and relative naira stability, “if reforms and political will are sustained”.

Adebajo warned that reform fatigue, rising debt and weak growth could undermine stability unless urgent corrective measures are taken.

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…As NAF destroys 131 illegal refineries, records 495 missions in 2025

The Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), has recorded major operational successes in the last one year, significantly degrading crude oil theft, illegal refining and sea robbery across the Niger Delta.

The Commander of OPDS, Rear Adm. Olugbenga Oladipo, disclosed this in Yenagoa during a Defence Media Operations tour and briefing on the activities of the task force.

The brief was presented by Asst. Commander A. Bako of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on his behalf.

He said sustained intelligence-driven kinetic and non-kinetic operations had strengthened the security of Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure, leading to improved crude oil production and export stability.

According to him, OPDS troops demobilised no fewer than 925 illegal refining sites, dismantled 1,228 storage facilities and destroyed 297 large wooden boats used for crude oil theft within the period under review.

“About 6.8 million litres of crude oil, 2.29 million litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO), as well as large quantities of PMS and DPK, were recovered or denied criminal elements,” he said.

Oladipo added that 136 tanker trucks conveying stolen petroleum products were intercepted, while 1,565 suspects linked to oil theft, illegal refining, kidnapping and other crimes were arrested and handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies.

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He noted that the sustained operations helped achieve an average terminal factor of about 95 per cent on major pipelines, including the Trans Niger, Trans Ramos and Trans Escravos pipelines, particularly in the last quarter of 2025.

On maritime security, the OPDS commander said the task force conducted over 3,240 land and sea patrols, leading to the clearance and destruction of 14 militants’ and sea robbers’ camps.

He said the aggressive posture against sea robbery and piracy had resulted in zero piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea and the lowest incidence of sea robbery in Nigerian waters within the period.

In the area of arms control, the commander disclosed that 99 illicit weapons were recovered from criminal elements during intelligence-led raids across the joint operations area.

Beyond combat operations, he said OPDS intensified non-kinetic engagements, resolving about 282 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)-related disputes between oil companies and host communities.

“These mediation efforts involving companies such as Chevron, Aiteo, Oando and others helped prevent production shutdowns and fostered a more conducive operating environment,” he said.

He added that OPDS also carried out medical outreaches, educational support programmes and community development initiatives, while maintaining strong collaboration with pipeline surveillance contractors and regulatory agencies.

Oladipo commended the media for its role in public sensitisation and accurate reporting, describing it as a force multiplier in the campaign against crude oil theft and vandalism.

He assured that the task force would sustain operational pressure on criminal networks to further secure national economic assets and maintain peace in the Niger Delta.

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In his remarks, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja underscored the central role of information operations in modern warfare, describing effective communication as a critical line of operation in ongoing military campaigns across the country.

Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had placed renewed emphasis on strategic communication to strengthen public trust, improve perception management and enhance cooperation between the Armed Forces and the civil populace.

He described the media as a strategic partner and “heroes of democracy,” noting that the press remained the most effective bridge between the military and the public.

According to him, security communication is a two-way process in which information from citizens aids military operations, while accurate reporting helps promote transparency, accountability and national cohesion, in line with Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution.

He reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to transparency and accountability, stressing that oversight and responsible media engagement would strengthen professionalism and operational effectiveness.

The defence spokesman also commended troops and sister security agencies for their sacrifices in the fight against insecurity, adding that national security required a whole-of-nation approach and active citizen participation.

In another development, the Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) destroyed no fewer than 131 illegal refining sites and neutralised several crude oil theft facilities across the Niger Delta in 2025.

This had significantly helped in degrading the operations of oil thieves and economic saboteurs.

This was disclosed on Tuesday during a briefing on the activities of the Air Component of OPDS and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 115 Special Operations Group, on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

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The brief was presented by Ft.-Lt. Aro, during the Media Tour of Defence Correspondents led by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja.

It was revealed that the air unit conducted 495 missions in 779 sorties, logging over 784 flight hours in support of joint operations.

The briefing said that sustained air operations had reshaped the theatre of operations, denied criminals freedom of action and enabled ground and maritime forces to exploit operational gains, contributing to improved crude oil production and national revenue.

According to the Air Component, air assets deployed during the period included T-129 ATAK attack helicopters, EC-135 helicopters, Diamond-62 aircraft and Wing Loong II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), which played critical roles in intelligence gathering, interdiction and combat support.

It was stated that extensive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the detection of illegal refining camps, pipeline vandalism points and storage facilities hidden deep within creeks and communities.

“Footage obtained was analysed and fused with intelligence from other security agencies to generate actionable targets.”

“Upon confirmation, the Air Component carried out air interdiction missions that resulted in the destruction of illegal installations, boats, reservoirs and storage tanks containing stolen petroleum products,” the briefing said.

In addition to the 131 illegal refining sites destroyed, the Air Component also neutralised 36 wooden boats, destroyed 23 reservoirs and dugout pits, as well as 125 storage tanks used for storing illegally refined products.

The operations, it added, created significant psychological pressure on criminal networks, forcing many operators to abandon their camps and deterring the re-establishment of destroyed sites.

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Speaking during the engagement, the Commander, 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, Group Capt. Abdulafeez Opaleye said oil theft in the Niger Delta had become increasingly sophisticated.

Opaleye said that criminals now siphon crude oil through hoses running several kilometres from pipelines to concealed locations.

He stressed that while kinetic operations remained critical, community engagement was key to sustaining gains, urging host communities to see the Armed Forces as partners in progress.

“Our mission is to protect national assets and create conditions for economic growth. When oil production improves, the entire nation benefits,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja commended the Air Component for its operational successes and resilience, describing the media as a critical partner in national security.

Onoja emphasised the need for strong civil-military relations and effective strategic communication, noting that accurate reporting of military operations would enhance public confidence and national cohesion.

He reiterated that security remained a collective responsibility, calling on all Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to secure the Niger Delta and protect critical oil and gas infrastructure.

The Air Component assured that joint air, land and maritime operations under Operation DELTA SAFE would be sustained to further curb militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the region. 

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