Crime
Hadiza Bala Usman Faults BUA Chairman’s Claims On Port Concession Termination
Hadiza Bala Usman Faults BUA Chairman’s Claims On Port Concession Termination
Hadiza Bala Usman faults BUA chairman’s claims on port concession termination. Hadiza Bala Usman, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy coordination, has accused Abdul Samad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, of “misleading the public” over the termination of the company’s concession at Rivers Port.
In his article, titled ‘Two years of President Tinubu: A business perspective’, Rabiu alleged that the NPA abruptly revoked his company’s concession without prior notice, claiming it was done to favour the associate of the former port chief.
“We started a new business in Port Harcourt four or five years ago under BUA Foods, operating at the Rivers Ports under a concession with the Nigerian Ports Authority,” the BUA chairman had said.
“It was going very well. One day, we woke up to a letter stating that the concession had been revoked, the terminal shut down, and the lease agreement terminated. There was no prior warning, no issue, no conflict.
“Later, we discovered that the Managing Director of NPA at the time decided to close the business simply because our operations were competing with those of her friend. She wanted to impress her friend.
That was the only reason. Today, that kind of thing cannot happen.”
Responding to the article in a statement on Sunday, Usman described Rabiu’s version of events as “barefaced lies” aimed at misleading the public and shifting the blame for the group’s contractual failures.
Usman, who served as the NPA managing director from 2016 to 2021, said the facts contradict Rabiu’s narrative.
“This is a blatant lie. It is not just that the BUA Group received numerous notifications and warnings about its negligence of contractual responsibilities; some of these warnings preceded my tenure as Managing Director,” she said.
“The facts of the matter are as follows: BUA Ports and Terminal Limited became concessionaires for Rivers Port Terminal B for a 20-year tenure through a concession agreement contract dated May 11, 2006. The Terminal was handed over to them for use with effect from August 10, 2006.
“As part of the terms of the agreement for the concession, BUA Ports and Terminal Limited was required to commence full reconstruction of Berths 5-8 within 90 days of the handover of the facility.
“Ten years after taking possession of the terminal and operating it, BUA had not commenced the rehabilitation of the quays that it was required to commence in 90 days.
“A notice of default was issued to the company on 11 February 2016, which was before my appointment as MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority.”
Usman said the letter, which cited “BUA’s failure” to honour its development obligations, followed earlier warnings issued in 2014 and early 2016.
However, she said the company “refused to honour this fundamental and material term” of its lease.
“In August 2016, another notice of default was issued under my leadership. Still, no action was taken. A three-month termination notice followed in November 2016,” she added.
“On receipt of the notice of termination, BUA Ports and Terminal sought and obtained a restraining order from the Federal High Court, Lagos, on 18 January 2018, barring the Authority from giving effect to the termination.”
‘RABIU USED HIS ACCESS TO BUHARI TO INFLUENCE DECISIONS IN BUA’S FAVOUR’
Usman said the NPA complied with the restraining order, allowing the company continued access to the facility.
She also alleged that Rabiu used his access to former President Muhammadu Buhari to influence decisions in his company’s favour, which “negated the country’s interests”.
“The company’s actions compromised the integrity of the adjoining berths and violated binding contractual obligations,” she said.
Hadiza Bala Usman Faults BUA
“It is, therefore, curious that the Chairman of BUA Group has continued to push this falsehood aimed at distracting Nigerians from seeing his company’s flagrant disregard of the binding contractual agreement.”
The special adviser urged BUA Group and its chairman to stop the “cheap blackmail” and work towards being a “responsible corporate body” that respects its commitments and contributes to national development.
The BUA Group is yet to formally respond to Bala Usman’s statement at the time of filing this report.
Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com
The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.
The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations
Oil
The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com
Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers
The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
The incident occurred around 1am on Friday when the armed men reportedly invaded the village and opened sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
He said the Divisional Police Officer in Isa, upon receiving a distress call, immediately mobilised tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit, to confront the attackers.
According to him, the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest.
“The tactical teams engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time. Due to the superior firepower and tactical positioning of the police operatives, the bandits were overpowered and forced to escape into the nearby forest with their casualties,” Rufa’i said.
He added that the police subsequently combed the surrounding bushes and recovered two rocket launchers and two empty AK-47 magazines.
Other items recovered included a Techno keypad phone without a battery, a touch light, an Army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.
The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, commended the officers for their swift response and courage during the operation.
Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Police
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.
The CP further appealed to residents to report anyone with suspected gunshot wounds seeking medical attention to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to track the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom
The Nigerian Navy has rescued 2 kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbery and kidnapping in the Ibeno general area of Akwa Ibom State on 30 September 2026.
Eereporter.com
The operation followed credible information on the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines. In response, the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat.
During the operation, the naval team encountered 2 boats suspected to be operated by the criminals, prompting the occupants to flee into adjoining creeks. In the ensuing pursuit, the suspects abandoned one of the boats containing several stolen outboard engines and the 2 kidnapped victims, who were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety. The recovered outboard engines were secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR), the protection of lives and the security of legitimate maritime activities across Nigeria’s waters. Through its network of ships, bases, surveillance systems, maritime quick response teams and other operational elements, the Nigerian Navy continues to maintain a presence across the maritime domain, enabling timely responses to distress situations and emerging security threats.
Navy
The operation also demonstrates the importance of credible intelligence and community support in enhancing maritime security. The Nigerian Navy therefore encourages coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to continue providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and responding rapidly to persons in distress.
The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and will continue to sustain proactive patrols, Search and Rescue operations, and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while denying criminal elements freedom of action in the nation’s waterways.
Eereporter.com
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