Headlines

An 18-year-old boy was killed in a fire outbreak that occurred in the early hours of Monday at the Sayi area of Alore, Ilorin, Kwara State.

The incident, which reportedly happened around 1:30 am, has drawn reactions from residents and government officials.

Confirming the incident, a senior government official stated that a delegation from the Kwara State Government was preparing to visit the scene to assess the damage and commiserate with affected residents.

“Yes, a devastating fire outbreak occurred in the Sayi area of Alore early this morning. We learnt it claimed the life of an 18-year-old boy. We will soon visit the scene of the incident to commiserate with our people,” the official said.

Further details regarding the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage were not immediately available.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Chief Edward David Onoja, a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, as a member of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

The nomination was part of a revised list of appointees forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, aimed at inaugurating the Governing Boards of both the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the North West Development Commission (NWDC).

According to a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the revised list reflects the President’s commitment to regional development.

In the nominations, Emeka Atuma is set to chair the Governing Board of the SEDC, while Hon. Mark C. Okoye has been named as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the commission.

Other nominees to the SEDC Governing Board include Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Hon. Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu (Ph.D), Nasiru Usman, and Hamma Adama Ali Kumo. Additional appointees include Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, and Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.

Furthermore, Prince Obinna Obiekweihe was nominated as Executive Director of Projects, Senator Anthony O. Agbo as Executive Director of Finance and Administration, and Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja as Executive Director of Corporate Services.

The President emphasized his expectation that the nominees, upon Senate confirmation, will leverage their experience and expertise to fulfill the mandates of their respective commissions and contribute to the development of their regions.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has completed its first export sale of low-sulfur straight-run fuel oil (LSSR) from the recently upgraded Port Harcourt Refinery.

The 15,000-metric-ton cargo, equivalent to approximately 13.6 million liters, is destined for Gulf Transport & Trading Limited (GTT), a Dubai-based trading firm. The shipment will be loaded onto the Wonder Star MR1 vessel in the coming days, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s refining sector as the country begins exporting petroleum products from its domestic refineries.

The exported product, with a sulfur content of 0.26 percent and a density of 0.918 g/ml at 15°C, was sold at an $8.50 per ton discount to the Northwest Europe (NWE) 0.5 percent benchmark on a Free on Board (FOB) basis.

While the initial export volume is modest, it is expected to impact Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) benchmarks in global markets. Analysts suggest this move could reshape trade dynamics, particularly for Atlantic Basin exporters, as Nigeria reduces its reliance on imported petroleum products.

This development also poses a challenge to traditional fuel oil suppliers in Africa and Europe. With domestic refining capacity improving, Nigeria’s reduced demand for clean petroleum product (CPP) imports is already affecting broader West African import markets.

The commencement of fuel exports from the Port Harcourt Refinery signals NNPCL ambition to establish Nigeria as a significant player in the global petroleum market, further diversifying the country’s energy export portfolio.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed 19 senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over allegations of misconduct.

In a statement on Friday, Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC spokesperson, said the decision was reached during the commission’s plenary session, where 110 disciplinary cases, 23 appeals and petitions, and 13 court judgments were reviewed.

The dismissed officers include ten assistant superintendents, six deputy superintendents, two chief superintendents, and one superintendent of police.

Additionally, the PSC approved the demotion of 19 other senior officers, including one assistant commissioner of police, one chief superintendent, two superintendents, two deputy superintendents, and 13 assistant superintendents.

Two assistant inspectors general of police were also sanctioned. One received a reprimand for refusing to carry out lawful instructions, while the other was issued a letter of warning for negligence.

“Several other officers found culpable received different punishments, including severe reprimand, reprimand, and letters of warning,” the statement added.

The chairman of the commission, Hashimu Argungu, reiterated the need for officers to maintain professionalism and avoid involvement in civil matters.

A fire outbreak on Friday morning devastated the Lafia Modern Market in Nasarawa State, destroying properties valued at millions of naira.

The inferno, which started around 9:45 a.m., was reportedly triggered by a nearby dumpsite, according to sources.

Firefighters from the Nasarawa State Fire Service responded promptly, preventing the blaze from spreading to other parts of the market and ensuring no lives were lost. Their swift intervention also salvaged some properties, limiting the extent of the damage.

Efforts to contact the state’s Director of Fire Service, Joshua Ombugu, for further details were unsuccessful, as he was unavailable to take calls at the time of reporting.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the Nigerian military to take decisive action against the Lakurawa terror group, which has been terrorizing residents in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

In a statement issued by the Forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF described the rise of the new terror group as dangerous and alarming, warning that it signals a worsening of insecurity in the North-West, now regarded as the epicenter of terrorism in Nigeria.

The Forum emphasized the need for urgent intervention, cautioning against underestimating or tolerating the group, citing the initial mishandling of Boko Haram as a cautionary tale.

“The emergence of the Lakurawa terror gang raises serious concerns and must not be toyed with in any form. It should be addressed swiftly and decisively,” the statement said.

The ACF called for a comprehensive review of security strategies to eliminate any doubts about the government’s resolve to tackle terrorism in all forms. It also highlighted the importance of reinvigorating the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MJTF) arrangement, urging Niger Republic to resume active participation in the joint counter-terrorism efforts.

Referencing the visit of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to Niger Republic earlier this year, the Forum suggested that the visit be leveraged to foster renewed international cooperation in addressing cross-border security threats.

The ACF further urged the Federal Government, state, and local authorities to utilize Nigeria’s historic socio-cultural and economic ties with neighboring countries to strengthen collaborative efforts in combating terrorism.

“The mutual existential security threats posed by terror groups require a united approach between Nigeria and its neighbors,” the statement concluded.

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, has imposed a statewide ban on the use and sale of fireworks, commonly known as “Knockout” or “Banga,” due to security concerns.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, the Commissioner announced the directive during a briefing with the Command Management Team at the Police Headquarters in Lokoja.

The Commissioner noted that some criminal elements exploit fireworks to facilitate criminal activities, adding that the Command is committed to preventing such acts in the state.

He also urged parents and guardians to discourage their children and wards from using fireworks, warning that violators would face arrest and prosecution. Additionally, shop owners caught selling or supplying fireworks would be prosecuted.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed officers to arrest anyone violating this order and warned shop owners against selling or distributing fireworks in the state,” the statement read.

The police further appealed to residents to report shops selling fireworks or any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency. The Commissioner assured the public that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, remain committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kogi State.

Residents were urged to cooperate with law enforcement by providing timely information to enhance security efforts.

Heavily armed policemen and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) have taken over the Emir Palace at Kofar Kudu in Kano, restricting movement in and out of the premises.

The deployment of security personnel is linked to plans by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to formally install Munir Sanusi as the newly appointed Wamban Kano and District Head of Bichi. Sources indicate that the Emir is scheduled to accompany the Wamban Kano to his official district posting in Bichi.

Meanwhile, the Bichi Emir’s Palace is also under tight security, with armed policemen deployed to the area.

This development comes two weeks after the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, during a visit to Bichi, affirmed the validity of the Bichi Emirate Council and reiterated that Emir Nasiru Ado Bayero remains the recognized emir.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, citing the newly passed Kano Emirate Council Law, had earlier dissolved the five emirates and removed their emirs. Days later, the state government reappointed three second-class emirs, excluding Bichi, leaving its status uncertain and raising further tension in the region.