On Sunday 25th October, oil workers Chukwudi Onah and Dolu Ebiejuara appeared in TB Joshua's Synagogue church to thank God for preserving their lives in the disaster that led to six fatalities, including that of the pilot and co-pilot.
According to Onah, it was the 'Morning Water' he had received at The Synagogue Church that was instrumental to his survival. "I never leave it anywhere I am going. It's always with me, along with my Anointing Sticker" from TB Joshua.
He explained to the congregation: "On that fateful day, before I left my
room, I prayed that God would take charge and thanked Him for
journeying mercies," he continued, stating that he sprayed the 'Morning
Water' upon himself.
According to Onah, there were no signs of trouble as the flight was going "very smoothly". However, merely minutes away from arriving at Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport (DNMM), tragedy struck.
"The chopper suddenly turned," Onah vividly described. "Everybody became confused. We were shouting Jesus! The chopper was dangling up and down. I didn't even know when it fell inside the water."
As the Bristow Sikosky S76 C+ helicopter began descending steadily to the bottom of the lagoon, Onah was strapped heavily into his seatbelt and could not move. "I shouted, 'God of TB Joshua - save me' ", he recounted, adding that his lungs soon filled up with water.
According to the SEDCO oil worker, what transpired next can only be termed 'supernatural'. Staring death in the face, confused and struggling to free himself, Onah said he heard a 'voice' speaking clearly to him.
"It's just as you are hearing me now. The voice said, 'Your seatbelt.' I took my hand to the side of the seat belt and it became suddenly loose. The same voice came again and said, 'Your lifejacket'. I took my hand to the side of the life-jacket and it suddenly inflated. It now carried me up from down to the top of the sea."
Onah somberly recounted that the two passengers seated directly besides him were among the fatalities. "If not for Jesus, I would have died. I give the glory to Jesus Christ who saved my life," he said, bringing out the 'Anointing Sticker' from his pocket that he had with him on the day of the ill-fated journey.
Dolu Ebiejuara similarly stated that he was a regular visitor to The SCOAN and had ministered 'Morning Water' before entering the helicopter that day. Recounting his experience, he said, "All that I saw was the helicopter take a sharp turn and then we were just plummeting down."
Moments before the crash, Ebiejuara said that he lost consciousness. "All I could remember was that I saw myself swimming. There is no way I could have come out of the helicopter without removing my seat belt but I was not the one. I don't even know how I came out under the water. I know it is God's doing because there is God's hand in the Morning Water."
The duo both sustained injuries but have since recovered. They were accompanied by more than seventeen family members who came to share the testimony.
Intriguingly, T.B. Joshua himself was not present in the service, making it more than five months since he has been seen in public.
- Ihechukwu Njoku is a freelance Nigerian journalist
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpufv
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpuf
The NSCDC had during its operations in Bonny and Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state discovered about 10 illegal refineries and products worth N50m.
The Assistant Commandant General of NSCDC, Zone E, Mohammad Hassan Lapai, who led an operation into the creeks in the state on Tuesday for about seven hours, ordered the destruction of four different dump sites used for illegal refining.
Some of the illegal oil refining sites set ablaze are Brekete Fishing Port in Bonny Local Government Area where about 14 tanks loaded with 10,000 litres of refined products each were burnt and Okpoma Kiri in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Three tanks fully loaded with petroleum products were also destroyed by operatives of the NSCDC within the same local government area.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the operation, Lapai vowed that such visits to the creeks would be made a routine until the activities of oil thieves were brought under control.
Explaining that it was the duty of the security outfit to curb the activities of oil thieves, the assistant commandant general of the NSCDC described the operation into the creeks as a huge success.
Lapai pointed out that the responsibility of the security outfit had gone beyond pipeline surveillance, adding that the search for bunkerers was part of the tasks they must accomplish.
He maintained that the NSCDC would never compromise its status and standard with those involved in oil bunkering and would continue to fight oil bunkering until the menace was eliminated from the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This year alone, we have destroyed over 48 illegal bunkering refineries. We are very grateful to the local communities and our sister agencies for their cooperation in this fight.
“There has been a serious synergy and this has helped us to destroy about 10 illegal refineries in Rivers State this week alone. With the help of the new government at the federal level, the challenges we are facing in this fight will be faced squarely. This fight is going to be consistent.
“This force does not compromise. So, we promise that we will surely stamp out oil bunkering from the creeks. We are out to tackle it head-on. We have the courage and will ensure that oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refineries are completely wiped out,” Lapai stressed.
He, however, urged those involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation to look for a legal way for survival, warning that it will not be business as usual again.
According to him, “We have destroyed about 17 tanks fully loaded in the sites we visited today. Each of the tanks contains 10,000 litres of the products worth N50m.
“I have already directed the commander in Rivers State, Ms Helen Amachree that this is going to be a routine affair now. We will be going from one creek to another to make sure that we exterminate the criminal elements.”
Also, the Commander of NSCDC Rivers State Command, Amachree, recalled that the command had impounded over 300 vehicles including tankers for illegal oil bunkering.
Amachree said that some of the cases on the trucks impounded and some persons that were arrested were already in court.
According to her, “We have seized not less than 300 vehicles that were loaded with illegal oil products by oil thieves.
“Some of them were loaded with some refined products while others were loaded with crude oil when our men caught them and our lawyers have charged some of the persons arrested in connection to that to - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/09/nigeria-security-and-civil-defence.html#sthash.KE7qTEYQ.dpufv
Survivors of Helicopter Crash Testify in TB Joshua's Church
On Sunday 25th October, oil workers Chukwudi Onah and Dolu Ebiejuara appeared in TB Joshua's Synagogue church to thank God for preserving their lives in the disaster that led to six fatalities, including that of the pilot and co-pilot.
According to Onah, it was the 'Morning Water' he had received at The Synagogue Church that was instrumental to his survival. "I never leave it anywhere I am going. It's always with me, along with my Anointing Sticker" from TB Joshua.
He explained to the congregation: "On that fateful day, before I left my
room, I prayed that God would take charge and thanked Him for
journeying mercies," he continued, stating that he sprayed the 'Morning
Water' upon himself.
According to Onah, there were no signs of trouble as the flight was going "very smoothly". However, merely minutes away from arriving at Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport (DNMM), tragedy struck.
"The chopper suddenly turned," Onah vividly described. "Everybody became confused. We were shouting Jesus! The chopper was dangling up and down. I didn't even know when it fell inside the water."
As the Bristow Sikosky S76 C+ helicopter began descending steadily to the bottom of the lagoon, Onah was strapped heavily into his seatbelt and could not move. "I shouted, 'God of TB Joshua - save me' ", he recounted, adding that his lungs soon filled up with water.
According to the SEDCO oil worker, what transpired next can only be termed 'supernatural'. Staring death in the face, confused and struggling to free himself, Onah said he heard a 'voice' speaking clearly to him.
"It's just as you are hearing me now. The voice said, 'Your seatbelt.' I took my hand to the side of the seat belt and it became suddenly loose. The same voice came again and said, 'Your lifejacket'. I took my hand to the side of the life-jacket and it suddenly inflated. It now carried me up from down to the top of the sea."
Onah somberly recounted that the two passengers seated directly besides him were among the fatalities. "If not for Jesus, I would have died. I give the glory to Jesus Christ who saved my life," he said, bringing out the 'Anointing Sticker' from his pocket that he had with him on the day of the ill-fated journey.
Dolu Ebiejuara similarly stated that he was a regular visitor to The SCOAN and had ministered 'Morning Water' before entering the helicopter that day. Recounting his experience, he said, "All that I saw was the helicopter take a sharp turn and then we were just plummeting down."
Moments before the crash, Ebiejuara said that he lost consciousness. "All I could remember was that I saw myself swimming. There is no way I could have come out of the helicopter without removing my seat belt but I was not the one. I don't even know how I came out under the water. I know it is God's doing because there is God's hand in the Morning Water."
The duo both sustained injuries but have since recovered. They were accompanied by more than seventeen family members who came to share the testimony.
Intriguingly, T.B. Joshua himself was not present in the service, making it more than five months since he has been seen in public.
- Ihechukwu Njoku is a freelance Nigerian journalist
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