Breaking News
BREAKING: Troops Recover 1.2Million Litres Of Stolen Products
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have announced a breakthrough in their ongoing war against economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
The troops destroyed over 56 illegal oil bunkering sanctuaries, 88 cooking drums, 20 boats and recovered 1.2million litres of stolen crude in their various operations in the Niger Delta.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, confirmed the arrest of 17 suspected oil thieves, interception of seven vehicles, discovery of six illegal connection points and destruction of five motorcycles used for perpetrating economic sabotage across the region.
Danjuma said in Bayelsa, at an abandoned Oando wellhead situated in Okordia Forest, Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA), 15 illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 755,000 litres of stolen crude as well as over 53,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) recovered.
He said around Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, 12 illegal refining sites with over 34,000 litres of stolen crude as well 5,500 litres of illegally refined AGO were confiscated.
He said in Rivers State, around Kula I, general area in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered one illegal connection on 36 inches Government pipeline, with three inches hose connected on it, used as a loading point by oil thieves.
He said: “This was in addition to a ground reservoir of 80 by 80 tarpaulin stocked with over 100,000 litres of stolen products recovered during the operations.
“The operation was also extended to Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, where an abandoned truck ladened with 35,000 litres of stolen crude stocked in a fabricated tank and concealed with bags of sawdust was uncovered.
“Relatedly, around Bakana and Buguma general area in Degema LGA, eight illegal refining sites with over 27,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated.
“Three wooden boats, one fibre speed boat, several pots of different sizes, two receiver containing AGO and a local boat with over 12,000 litres of stolen were intercepted. The operation also led to the arrest of three suspected oil thieves in connection to the economic sabotage”.
Danjuma said in Bukuma community in Degema LGA, one illegal refining site, a reservoir with over 5,000 litres of stolen crude was dismantled.
He added that at Imo River, 11 illegal refining sites, 88 cooking drums, 26 metal container receivers, 14 plastic tanks, eleven boats, four pumping machines with over 42, 500 litres of stolen crude were recovered with three suspects arrested adding that around Obiafu Oil Field, several vehicles were intercepted with over 5500 litres of stolen products recovered.
He noted: “In Delta State, troops pursued economic saboteurs to Ugo Community in Orhionwon LGA of Edo State, where one suspected oil thief was arrested. He subsequently led troops to a bunkering site.
“Enroute the site, troops discovered a stationary Toyota Sequoia Jeep with Reg No Edo WWR 896 JU, loaded with sacks meant for stealing products. Further combing of the area, led to the discovery of a storage filled with stolen crude as well as over 200 sacks filled with over 40,000 litres of stolen products.
“At Yeye general area in Warri South LGA, one active illegal refining site, two ovens containing substance suspected to be over 2,000 liters illegally refined AGO were confiscated. Additionally, one Yamaha outboard engine with four suspected oil thieves arrested.
“While in Akwa Ibom, troops acting on credible intelligence, intercepted several drums of estimated to be over 5,580 litres of petroleum motor spirit at Enwang Bridge in Mbo LGA. The products were being prepared for onwa TVrd smuggling to a neighbouring country.”
Breaking News
Tinubu Appoints New Ministers, Sacks Edun, Dangiwa In Minor Shake-Up
President Bola Tinubu has approved a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council, removing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa.
This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, citing a memo signed by SGF George Akume.
According to the memo, Taiwo Oyedele has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Also appointed is Dr. Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.
The memo directed the outgoing ministers to complete handover processes to their respective successors or supervising officials.
It stated that all handing over and taking over activities must be concluded on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.
Explaining the decision, Akume said the changes were aimed at improving coordination and strengthening delivery across key sectors of the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume stated.
He added that President Tinubu acted in line with his constitutional powers as provided under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The SGF also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours, noting that the process of cabinet reinvigoration would remain continuous.
The statement further noted that Taiwo Oyedele was appointed as Minister of State for Finance in March 2026, while Edun was among the ministers appointed on August 16, 2023.
Breaking News
Tax Reform Expert Taiwo Oyedele Nominated As Minister Of State For Finance
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially nominated Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele as the new Minister of State for Finance.
Oyedele replaces Dr. Doris Anite-Uzoka, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.
The President on Tuesday conveyed Oyedele’s nomination to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday.
Until Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.
The 50-year-old is an economist, accountant, and public policy expert who led the comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system through the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.
The committee, inaugurated in August 2023, delivered four executive bills that consolidated over 60 taxes into fewer than 10 statutes and introduced significant reforms, including zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 annually or less.
The Tax Reform Acts, which became effective on January 1, 2026, also exempted small businesses with turnover below N50m from company income tax, capital gains tax, and development levy.
Other provisions include a 50 per cent tax deduction for companies hiring new workers for three years, a 50 per cent deduction for wage increases to the lowest-paid employees, and a five-year corporate tax holiday for agricultural enterprises.
Oyedele attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy and Finance, before proceeding to Oxford Brookes University for a BSc in Applied Accounting.
He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.
Oyedele spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader before his appointment to head the tax reform committee.
He is currently a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.
As Minister of State for Finance, Oyedele is expected to oversee the implementation of the tax reforms he championed, particularly as the government seeks to improve revenue generation and deepen economic reforms.
Anite-Uzoka, who is being redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, previously served as Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment before her appointment as Minister of State for Finance.
The Senate is expected to screen and confirm Oyedele’s nomination in the coming weeks, following which he will be sworn in to assume his ministerial duties.
The Finance Ministry, currently led by Wale Edun as substantive minister, oversees fiscal policy, revenue mobilisation, debt management, and economic planning.
Breaking News
Gospel Artiste Taiwo Adegbodu Of Adegbodu Twins Passes On
Taiwo Adegbodu, one half of the popular Nigerian gospel duo Adegbodu Twins, has passed away.
The tragic news was officially confirmed by his twin brother and musical partner, Kehinde Adegbodu, through a heartfelt post on the duo’s official Facebook handle.
In a heartfelt post, Kehinde conveyed his profound grief over the loss of both his brother and ministry partner.
He wrote: “TAIWO, why will you leave me and your kids without notification?
My heart is bleeding, Lord how do you want me to cope without him?
God why? This is too much for me to bear!!!”
Taiwo and Kehinde Adegbodu were renowned in gospel circles for their spirited worship sessions, twin-stage performances, and dynamic ministrations, which resonated with churches and Christian gatherings across Nigeria.
Their music and live performances earned them a devoted following, particularly in the South-West region.
As of the time of this report, the cause of Taiwo Adegbodu’s death and details of his funeral arrangements have not been disclosed.
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