The Eastern Naval Command, ENC, of the Nigeria Navy has arrested an oil product tanker MT FILIA (IMO No. 8662684) with 650 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil valued at over N660 million.

The ENC Operations Officer, Commodore Abubakar Umar, who announced the arrest at a media briefing in Calabar on Tuesday, said the feat was achieved based on credible intelligence.

Umar said the vessel sailing under the flag of Sao Tomé and Principe with 12 crew members onboard, was arrested on July 23 within Nigeria waters.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that the tanker vessel loitered within the vicinity of the offshore oil terminals located at Akwa Ibom for over seven days, waiting for an opportunity to gain access to some crude oil jackets.

According to him, the vessel subsequently proceeded to one of the oil jackets where it was engaged in the suspected illegal loading of crude oil.

“At about 04; 00hrs on July 23, MT FILIA departed the offshore oil terminal and proceeded seaward. Consequently, a navy patrol boat pursued and intercepted the vessel.

“On sighting the Nigerian navy ship, the crew began discharging the stolen crude into the sea, causing maritime pollution.

“Subsequent investigation reveals that the Captain of MT FILIA also admitted that the vessel loaded approximately 650 metric tonnes of crude oil at the terminal worth an estimated value of over N660 million.

“It is pertinent to state at this point that investigation is still ongoing to unravel further details of the dastardly act.”

A National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member serving in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Okebaram Stanley Chimaroke, has been found dead under unclear circumstances.

Chimaroke, a graduate of Civil Engineering and former President of the Students’ Union Government, SUG, of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, was reportedly declared missing before his lifeless body was recovered in a body of water in Nembe community.

Sources familiar with the incident alleged that the 27-year-old corps member may have been attacked by unidentified assailants before his disappearance.

The Bayelsa State Police Command had earlier launched a search operation after receiving a report that the corps member was missing.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the case was reported to the police at about 8:40 p.m. on July 25, 2026, by fellow corps member Aribisola Bisi Isaac, who was accompanied by Adeola Marvelous.

Police sources disclosed that the Local Government Inspector informed the officers that Chimaroke, who was serving in Nembe Creek, was last seen at about 8:00 p.m. on July 24.

Attempts to reach him through his mobile phone lines reportedly proved unsuccessful, raising concerns among colleagues and prompting a search effort.

Following the report, police operatives were deployed to the creek community, located about 45 minutes by boat from the Nembe Divisional Headquarters, to commence a search and investigation into his disappearance.

As of the time of filing this report, the Bayelsa State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the recovery of the corps member’s body or provide details on the exact circumstances surrounding his death.

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, JTF NW OPFY, have rescued a kidnap victim and recovered 126 rustled livestock in Katsina State.

This is contained in a statement by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt-Col Aliyu Danja, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, troops also arrested suspects and recovered a locally fabricated weapon.

It said that in the early hours of 26 July 2026, troops, in conjunction with the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, troops responded to a distress call reporting terrorist activity at Karkata Village, Charanchi Local Government Area of the state.

The statement added that while advancing to the scene, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to abandon their kidnapped victim before fleeing into the surrounding bushes.

“The victim was rescued unharmed and reunited with her family. In a separate operation, troops of Sector 2, working alongside personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), conducted coordinated raids at Wagin, Tundu Mobi, and Chadawaki in Batsari Local Government Area.

“The operation led to the arrest of suspects and recovery of a locally fabricated weapon with five cartridges, among other exhibits. The suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.

“Also, on 26 July 2026, troops acting on credible intelligence laid an ambush along a suspected terrorists’ crossing point at Yankwani Village, Bakori Local Government Area, engaging suspected terrorists attempting to move rustled livestock across the area.

“The terrorists fled under sustained pressure, abandoning 126 livestock comprising 83 cows and 43 sheeps. The recovered animals were handed over to the Chairman of the Peace Keeping Committee, Bakori, in the presence of local government officials, for identification and return to their rightful owners.

“The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, commends the gallantry and vigilance of the troops behind these successes and reassures the good people of Katsina State and the North West of the Command’s unwavering resolve to sustain offensive operations against terrorists in the region,” the statement said.