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Tag: Port Harcourt Refinery

  • Port Harcourt refinery yet to release new petrol price – PETROAN

    Port Harcourt refinery yet to release new petrol price – PETROAN

    The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says the Port Harcourt Refinery Company Limited has not released any new purchase price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    Dr Billy  Gillis-Harry, National President, PETROAN made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

    The refinery, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.)  on Tuesday began the first truck-out of petroleum products in view of the re-streaming of the rehabilitated facility.

    The re-streaming and truck loading signaled the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products to the market.

    The rehabilitated refinery is currently operating at 70 per cent of its installed 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90 per cent.

    In view of this, Gillis-Harry said members of PETROAN only bought PMS with the old pricing template while awaiting the new prices.

    “We are excited that the production and loading of refined petroleum products have commenced at the refinery and we are expecting that soon, the price of PMS will be stated by NNPC to the benefit of Nigerians,” he said.

    Reacting to this, Mr Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd. said the company had not commenced bulk sales.

    “We have not yet commenced bulk sales and we have not yet opened the purchase portal as we are still finalising the necessary processes.

    “At present, the products we are selling at our retail outlets are what we bought from the Dangote Refinery, which includes the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fees.

    “The product from Port Harcourt Refinery is currently for our retail stores.

    “Our prices are regularly reviewed and adjusted as required,” the NNPC Ltd. Spokesperson said.

  • New Port Harcourt refinery not in operations yet – NNPC

    New Port Harcourt refinery not in operations yet – NNPC

    The old Port Harcourt refinery, which is part of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), on Tuesday began the first tuck-out of petroleum products in view of the re-streaming of the rehabilitated facility.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Limited to have hinted that the new Port Harcourt Refinery, however, was yet to begin operations.

    The re-streaming and truck loading at the old Port Harcourt refinery signalled the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products to the market.

    The upgraded old refinery which had an installed production capacity of 60, 000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil was currently operating at 70 per cent of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90 per cent.

    The refinery is producing the following daily outputs : Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol), Kerosene: 900,000 litres, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million litres.

    Others are Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million litres and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Additional volumes.

    Trucks began loading petroleum products which include PMS, AGO and Kerosene, while other product slates will be dispatched as well.

    Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), while marking its first products lifting said the plant would be producing about 200 trucks of products daily.

    Kyari described the commencement of loadout activities as a monumental achievement for Nigeria which signified a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.

    In the bid to ease the distribution of the products, Kyari said the refinery’s access road was captured  under the roads being renovated under the road tax credit scheme for improved infrastructure and smooth products delivery.

    Meanwhile, some petroleum marketers who witnessed the first loading of petroleum products lauded the NNPC Ltd. for achieving the milestone after many years of being moribund.

    Dr Joseph Obele, the National Public Relations Officer (PRO,, Petroleum Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) expressed optimism that with the coming on stream of the refinery, fuel price would be reviewed.

    “Indeed it is a dream come true, the plant is up and running. I commend the NNPC Ltd and the host community for realising this project. Marketers now have hope of loading products here,” he said.

    High Chief Sunny Nkpe, a community leader and Managing Director Wesham Oil Ltd. said the development would further contribute to the economic development and energy sustainability.

    He called for the crude oil processing from the plant to be sustained for Nigerians to feel the impact.

    Also speaking, Mr Johnbosco Bosco, the Chairman, Petroleum Tankers Driver (PTD) Branch of  the Ngeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), thanked the Federal Government for putting smiles on their faces.

    “We are ready to partner with the NNPC Ltd. to ensure that petroleum products reach designated destination. We also want to see that this trend to continue, we want to be loading regularly in this refinery,” he said.

    The CEO of Matrix Energy, Abdukabiru Aliyu also expressed delight over the development and urged the NNPC Ltd to sustain it.

    Meanwhile, in a statement by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, the oil firm clarified that substantial progress has been made on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, and that it will begin operations soon without prior announcements.

    The statement reads in full: “The Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) express heartfelt appreciation to Nigerians for their support and excitement over the safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery.

    “This achievement marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance.

    “We are, however, aware of unfounded claims by certain individuals suggesting that the refinery is not producing products. For clarity, the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90%. The refinery is producing the following daily outputs:

    “Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol); Kerosene: 900,000 liters; Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million liters; Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million liters and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes.

    “It is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets required specifications.

    “Blending is a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes.

    “Additionally, we have made substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which will begin operations soon without prior announcements.

    “We urge Nigerians to focus on the remarkable achievements being realized under the able and progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu and to support efforts aimed at delivering more dividends to the nation. Malicious attacks on clear progress only undermine the significant strides made by NNPC Ltd and the country.

    “Let us move forward together in building a stronger and more self-sufficient energy sector”.

  • Fuel Price Hike: Industry players slam NNPCL over Port Harcourt Refinery delay

    Fuel Price Hike: Industry players slam NNPCL over Port Harcourt Refinery delay

    Some energy stakeholders have berated the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) over delay in getting the Port Harcourt Refinery operational, to address recurrent fuel scarcity and price hike.

    The stakeholders spoke to NAN on Wednesday in Abuja against the backdrop of the unending fuel queues at filling stations across the country and the increase in price of petrol.

    Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), faulted the NNPC Ltd. for failure to update the public on the exact status of the refinery.

    Recall that the NNPC Ltd. had postponed the much anticipated commencement of the Port Harcourt refinery for six times.

    This had raised concerns about local production of petroleum products, particularly Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), to meet the needs of Nigerians.

    Initially slated to commence operations in 2021, the refinery’s commencement had faced multiple delays, making Nigerians to raise concern on the actual position of the refinery..

    In December 2023, NNPC Ltd. claimed it had achieved the mechanical completion of rehabilitation work on Area 5 Plant of the refining company and slated its production resumption for Jan. 2024.

    The January date also turned out a mirage, with each postponement attributed to various technical, financial, and logistical challenges

    Recently, the NNPC Ltd. said its primary producing unit called Close Distillation Unit (CDU) was working, and would be getting off-spec production in days.

    Specifically, the oil company said the refinery would come on stream and its oil production would be fit for distribution after certification by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in September.

    Oriji underscored the need for consistent and clear updates on the refinery’s progress to foster trust and manage public expectations.

    He assured that NEITI would update Nigerians on the rehabilitation of the refinery and the cost in its ongoing 2022/2023 industry report to be published in September,

    According to him, the previous NEITI reports revealed that N200 billion has been expended between 2020 and 2021 on the turnaround maintenance of the refinery during the period.

    Orji recalled that he led a team which included officials of NEITI and the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), as well as media representatives on assessment tour of the refinery in April.

    “For us in NEITI, we do not depend on speculation, rather we depend on data.

    “Our last report showed that over N200 billion was spent on the refinery and it hasn’t started working, so we decided to embark on the trip.

    “From our assessment, impressive work was going on in the refinery. There was an issue of test running of which the NNPC Ltd. described as a painstaking exercise,” he said .

    Dr Benjamin Tamaramiebi, the National President, Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) also expressed dissatisfaction with the NNPC Ltd. on its handling of the Port Harcourt refinery repairs.

    He decried the situation whereby Nigeria, for more than 25 years, had been importing fuel, adding, “its high time it stopped”.

    Tamaramiebi called for concerted efforts and commitments to ensure that the refinery become operational.

    He also underscored the need for the government to encourage and support the Dangote Refinery to start refining in order to stop importation of the product.

    Speaking in the same vein, Dr Sand Mba-Kalu, an Economic Expert underscored the need for clear, regular updates on the progress of the refinery’s rehabilitation to foster public trust.

    Mba-Kalu, the Executive Director, Africa International Trade and Commerce Research, said swift action was required to ensure timely completion of the rehabilitation of the refinery.

    “The government and NNPC Ltd. seem not to be telling Nigerians the truth about the refinery,

    “The shortage and high cost of petroleum products continue to burden households and businesses nationwide.

    “The delay has stifled potential economic growth, job creation, and industrial development that could have stemmed from a fully operational refinery,’’ he said.

    The expert said effective management of resources was crucial to guarantee the long-term viability and efficiency of the refinery.

    He added that immediate measures should be implemented to mitigate the high cost and scarcity of fuel to ease the burden on Nigerians.

    According to him, the development of additional refineries and a comprehensive strategy for the petroleum sector is essential for future stability and growth.

    A business man, Mr Akinola Oladapo lamented how the high price of fuel had stalled his business, adding that Nigerians were tired of the inconsistency of the NNPC Ltd. on the refinery’s commencement date.

    “it looks as if the management of the NNPC Ltd. is not sincere with Nigerians.

    “Nevertheless, they have set September for the refinery to start production. Let’s see if its the usual games they play or they are serious this time.

    “But one thing is clear; you can’t take Nigerians for a ride for too long,” he said.

    Located at Alesa Eleme, the Port Harcourt, complex operates two oil refineries, including an old plant commissioned in 1965 that can process 60,000 barrels per day, and the new plant commissioned in 1989, which has a capacity of 150,000 barrels per day.

  • Port Harcourt refinery to begin production early August – NNPCL

    Port Harcourt refinery to begin production early August – NNPCL

    Senior officials at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have revealed that the Port Harcourt refinery is currently undergoing various licensing processes.

     

    The NNPCL has reaffirmed its readiness to commence crude oil refining at the Port Harcourt refinery in early August.

    The Port Harcourt refinery complex, located in Alesa-Eleme near Port Harcourt in Rivers State, comprises two refineries. Port Harcourt II (New Refinery) is a complex conversion refinery with a nameplate distillation capacity of 7,500,000 MTA (150,000 bpd). Initially intended to serve as an export refinery when it came online in 1988, it has since been dedicated to the domestic market due to frequent supply interruptions from Nigeria’s other three refineries. Port Harcourt II has significant clean fuel capabilities, including the production of lead-free gasoline.

     

    Senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPCL revealed that the facility is currently undergoing various licensing processes, following the supply of crude to the plant after its mechanical completion in December 2023.

     

    Similarly, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, confirmed that the plant was in its final rehabilitation stage.

     

    “The mechanical work at the Port Harcourt refinery has been completed. Crude oil has also been sent to the plant. What remains now are licensing and related processes. These licenses are issued based on certain time frames.

     

    “Officials involved in issuing these licenses are currently observing the plant. Some arrived last month and are still there, inspecting everything. They will also need to test-run the plant, and all this will be done at their pace. Many of these officials are foreigners, and you can’t rush them.

     

    “They have their integrity to protect. If anything goes wrong at the refinery, the officials could be held accountable, and their insurance firms would have to cover any damages. So the timing of the refinery’s startup is not entirely in our hands,” stated a petroleum ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter.

     

    In March this year, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari, announced that the Port Harcourt refinery had received 450,000 barrels of crude oil and was expected to begin operations in April. However, this did not occur.

     

    Kyari disclosed this at a press briefing following his appearance before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the various Turn Around Maintenance projects of the country’s refineries.

     

    “We achieved mechanical completion of the refinery in December. We now have crude oil stocked in the refinery. We are conducting regulatory compliance tests that must occur in every refinery before starting operations, and I assure you that the Port Harcourt refinery will start in the next two weeks.

     

    “Completing the mechanical work means that the rehabilitation work is done. Now, we must test to see how it functions. We have also completed the mechanical work on the Warri refinery, which is also undergoing regulatory compliance processes with our regulator. This will soon be completed and ready.

     

    “Kaduna refinery will be ready by December. We have not reached that stage in Kaduna, but we promise Kaduna will be delivered by December,” stated the NNPC helmsman.

  • Port Harcourt refinery to resume production end of March – Kyari

    Port Harcourt refinery to resume production end of March – Kyari

    The Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL), Mr Mele Kyari, on Thursday said  the Port Harcourt refinery would begin production by end of March.

    Kyari said this after a meeting with the Senate Ad-hoc Committee, investigating the various Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) projects of Nigerian refineries.

    “In the next two weeks, production will start, we did mechanical completion of Port Harcourt, that was what we said in Dec 2023.

    “That means we are done with our rehabilitation work, now you are to test if this completion is okay,” he said

    On Warri refinery, Kyari said mechanical works had been completed, adding that the facility  was undergoing the regulatory compliance processes.

    He, however, said Kaduna would not be  ready until  December.

    Kyari said that all the crude lines were active, adding that over 450,000 barrels had been delivered into Port Harcourt refinery.

    “Yes, there may be security issues, but also government is responding to the situation.

    “We are happy to work with the committee and promise not to hide anything from them,” Kyari said.

    Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Sen. Ifeanyi Uba (APC -Anambra), said the committee was satisfied with the information from NNPCL.

    Ubah said the committee had an understanding of when to go for oversight function of the refineries.

    “I believe everything is positively on track.

    “We want the refineries to work and we have gotten firm promise from NNPCL on when they will begin operation.

    “The next step is to visit the refineries and assess the progress,” he said.

    The committee will meet with Kyari on March 19, on issues relating to crude oil theft.

  • Port Harcourt refinery receives 475,000 barrels of crude oil from Shell

    Port Harcourt refinery receives 475,000 barrels of crude oil from Shell

    The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited said it has successfully supplied 475,000 barrels of crude oil to the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited.

    The SPDC said this was in furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to increase domestic refining capacity and make petroleum products more readily available in the country.

    A statement by Shell Nigeria’s Media Relations Manager, Abimbola Essien-Nelson, on Monday disclosed that the company, “through its Bonny Oil & Gas Terminal has completed the supply of over 475,000bbls of crude oil to the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited.”

    According to Essien-Nelson, BOGT resumed the supply last week after a prolonged outage of over five years, during which time the Port Harcourt refinery underwent rehabilitation and integrity activities on its supply pipeline from Bonny Oil & Gas Termina.

    Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Dr Osagie Okunbor, had said, “Teams from BOGT and PHRC worked through intensive preparations, collaboration, and dedication to make the project successful.

    “This is indeed a significant step in the nation’s renewed efforts to utilise key infrastructures to assure the steady supply of products from the refining company to the Nigerian market.”

    Okunbor added, “Future supplies from BOGT would be guided by the demand for the product.”

    Also, the Bonny Terminal Installation Manager, Osita Nnajiofor, was quoted as saying that before implementing the supplies of the product to the refining company, the project teams first assured the integrity of pipelines relevant to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited subsidiaries, as well as the integrity and maintenance activities on the BOGT refinery export pumps, which had been shut down for an extended period.

    Nnajiofor explained, “These actions resulted in the successful and safe completion of the refinery supply with no harm to people, environment, or equipment.

    “The recommencement of crude oil supply from the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal to the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited is a significant achievement and a game-changer for the industry and the country and will support the Federal Government’s aspiration of a steady supply of petroleum products to the downstream market and other associated benefits to the economy of the nation.”

    Earlier the NNPCL has recently made known its decision to hand over the rehabilitated Port Harcourt refinery to private operators.

  • NNPCL to hand over Port Harcourt refinery to private operators

    NNPCL to hand over Port Harcourt refinery to private operators

    As the Port Harcourt oil Refinery comes to life, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has concluded plans to hand over the government refinery to private operators.

    The NNPCL said it is seeking to engage reputable and credible operations and maintenance companies to operate and maintain the Port Harcourt Refining Company.

    This, it said, was “to ensure reliability and sustainability towards meeting the nation’s fuel supply and energy security obligations.”

    In a publication on its website on Monday, the NNPCL said the contract scope shall cover refinery business processes like long-term and short-term production/operations planning; production and operations execution; monitoring, reporting, and optimisation of operations; maintenance execution; health and safety; environmental management; minor projects and others.

    NNPCL requested that interested companies must demonstrate “a minimum average annual Turnover of at least $2 billion USD for the financial years ending: 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively.”

    The NNPCL had commenced the supply of crude oil to the Port Harcourt refinery to test-run it.

    On December 21, 2023, the Federal Government announced the mechanical completion of rehabilitation work on the Area-5 Plant of the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State.

    It said the first phase of the plant had been completed, as the facility would start refining 60,000 barrels of crude oil daily after the Christmas break.

    The Port Harcourt Refinery, situated in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, has been in operation since 1965. The Alesa Eleme refinery complex is situated in Rivers State, Nigeria, approximately 25 kilometres east of Port Harcourt.

    In March 2021, the Nigerian government approved a GBP 1.08 billion ($1.5 billion) budget for the renovation and modernisation of the refinery complex.

  • Port-Harcourt Refinery test run to be completed this January – NNPCL

    Port-Harcourt Refinery test run to be completed this January – NNPCL

    The Port Harcourt refinery has been revealed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited that it would complete its test run this month of January.

    NNPC spokesperson, Femi Soneye, stated that, “Testing will conclude shortly, ensuring the refinery’s efficient operation. That phase will be completed this month”.

    Soneye added that the test run was a major step towards resuming operations five years after the plant was shut down.

    Recall in December, the state-owned oil company announced the mechanical completion of rehabilitation work on the Area-5 Plant of the facility.

    It said the first phase of the plant had been completed, as the facility would start refining 60,000 barrels of crude oil daily after the Christmas break.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, had stated that the first phase of the PHRC was completed on December 20, 2023, adding that refined products’ production would commence after the Yuletide.

    Projections are that once operational, along side the Dangote refinery which is said to start operations this year, the pressure of the country’s foreign exchange may be eased.

  • Everything we know about completion of Port Harcourt refinery

    Everything we know about completion of Port Harcourt refinery

    The Federal Government on Thursday announced the mechanical completion and flare start off of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC).

    Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil) disclosed this on Thursday in Port Harcourt during a media tour on the refinery which rehabilitation commenced in 2021.

    On the tour were the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo; Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) Board Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure; Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Malam Mele Kyari and other dignitaries.

    The Managing Director of the PHRC, Ibrahim Onoja, was also on the tour.

    “Just to announce to Nigerians the fulfilment of our pledge to bring on stream phase one of the Port Harcourt Refinery by the end of 2023 and the subsequent streaming of phase two in 2024.

    “We happily announce the mechanical completion and the flare start-off on Dec. 20, 2023.

    “This heralds the commencement of the production of petroleum products after the  Christmas break,” Lokpobiri said.

    The minister thanked Nigerians for their patience and the trust on the NNPC Ltd. to deliver on its promise and the mandate of the refinery’s rehabilitation.

    According to him, it is another landmark of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    Akinyelure, who expressed satisfaction over the new development, said it was a promise made to President Bola Tinubu that the refinery would begin operation in 2023.

    The NNPC Ltd. board chairman who recalled that the refinery had undergone several rehabilitation, said that its commencement of operations would keep fuel cost stable.

    The Port Harcourt Refineries comprised two units, with the old plant having a refining capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) and the new plant 150,000 bpd, both summing up to 210,000 bpd.

    The refinery was shut down in March 2019 for the first phase of repair works after the government secured the services of Italy’s Maire Tecnimont to handle the scoping of the refinery complex, with oil major Eni appointed technical adviser.

    In 2021, NNPC Ltd. said repairs had started after the Federal Executive Council approved $1.5bn for the project.

    The refinery had over the years performed below optimal levels which resulted in importation of petroleum products for domestic use for many years to cover for the gap in the refinery’s output.

  • Troops destroy 36 illegal refineries amid inoperative state-owned facilities

    Troops destroy 36 illegal refineries amid inoperative state-owned facilities

    The Nigerian Army in recent operations carried out by troops of Operation Delta Safe have destroyed 36 illegal refining sites, apprehended 22 suspected oil thieves and recovered significant quantities of crude oil and fuel products.

    Briefing newsmen on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said the military successfully recovered 310,700 litres of crude oil, 14,675 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, and 49,000 litres of Dual Purpose kerosene during these operations.

    In addition to the seizure of illegal products, troops also destroyed various equipment and facilities used for illegal refining, including 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, three vehicles, 126 cooking ovens, three outboard engines, one speedboat, two motorcycles, one generator, and two pumping machines.

    On July 24th, the military intercepted and destroyed a wooden boat loaded with 1000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at the Wellhead Cluster Opukushi Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    Meanwhile, the country’s state-owned refineries remain grounded, contributing to the persistent challenges in the oil sector.

    In response to this, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday and after a constructive engagement, the Federal Government has projected oil refining at the Port Harcourt refinery could commence by December.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the federal government failed to meet previous targets on the commencement of oil production in the refinery and the new timeline is contingent upon the successful completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.

    Furthermore, Buba said military troops conducted raids on camps and hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) gunmen in Abia and Anambra States in Nigeria’s Southeast.

    During these operations, the military arrested three suspected gunrunners and rescued nine kidnapped hostages. Several arms and ammunition were also recovered in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra.

    The seized items included: one AK47 rifle with 35 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, six pump-action guns, one locally made pistol, one dane gun, one locally made hand grenade, four vehicles, nine motorcycles, 925 machetes, and 151 machete sharpeners.

    Additionally, Buba said Nigerian Police uniforms and boots, IPOB/ESN uniforms, one speaker, raincoats, boots, and a chainsaw were also recovered.

    “In the conduct of the operations, troops recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 35 rounds of 7.62mm special, six pump action guns, one locally made pistol, one dane gun, one locally made hand grenade, four vehicles, nine motorcycles, 925 machetes and 151 machetes sharpeners.

    “Others are 1,080 sickles, Nigerian Police uniforms and boots, IPOB/ESN uniform, one speaker, rain coats and boots and a chain saw. Troops also apprehended three gunrunners and rescued nine kidnapped hostages.

    The Nigerian Army called for support from well-meaning Nigerians in the fight against criminal activities, in order to flush out the perpetrators of these heinous acts from society.