Headlines

Five police officers and three soldiers were killed by bandit during a deadly ambush on Thursday morning in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attack occurred as the security operatives were escorting workers of the construction company Setraco Nigeria Limited.

A military source confirmed the tragic event to reporters, revealing that the security personnel were caught off guard when the terrorists opened fire.

The ambush resulted in the death of eight security personnel, including five police officers and three soldiers.

However, a prompt and swift response by the military prevented further casualties among the Setraco workers and the remaining security personnel.

“The troops escorting Setraco workers on their way to Tsafe LGA in Zamfara encountered an ambush.

“Unfortunately, we lost three soldiers and five policemen, and their rifles were taken by the terrorists,” the military source said.

Despite the tragic loss, the source added that several terrorists were killed in a fierce gun battle that followed the ambush.

“Police have evacuated the bodies of both the personnel and the bandits,” the source added.

This incident follows closely on the heels of another report, which detailed how bandits blocked the busy Gusau-Funtua highway in Zamfara State, abducting an unspecified number of travellers.

The spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yezid Abubakar, confirmed the highway abduction, stating that the police had deployed personnel to the scene but were still awaiting a full briefing on the number of victims.

Security operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force have taken over the palace of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, following the rumored death of the monarch.

A further report has it that the gate to the palace has been shut by the security operatives.

The 87-year-old Aromolaran has been on the throne for 42 years.

According to reporters, Oba Aromolaran was admitted at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State till Wednesday.

Impeccable sources in the palace confirmed to newsmen that the monarch passed away on Wednesday.

A family source revealed, “We are crying and mourning presently. We are not even picking calls from outsiders but I can’t ignore your own that is why.

“They are moving personal belongings of the king out of the palace as I am speaking with you.”

Petroleum marketers, refiners, and depot owners in Nigeria have demanded that the Federal Government to put a total stop to fuel Subsidy and begin full deregulation of the downstream oil sector, seeking to end government price controls due to subsidies.

The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, African Refiners and Distributors Association, and Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria disclosed this during a webinar on Wednesday.

The discussion, themed ‘Optimising the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry’, brought together key stakeholders from various sectors of the oil and gas industry to discuss challenges, opportunities, and strategic initiatives for enhancing the sector’s efficiency and sustainability.

In a communique made available to our correspondent on Wednesday by MEMAN, participants were said to have discussed the implications of recent price hikes in petroleum products and emphasised the need for full market deregulation.

“A market-driven pricing mechanism was advocated to promote competitiveness and operational efficiency. The removal of government controls on pricing was seen as essential to fostering a more dynamic and responsive industry.

“The call for complete deregulation and market liberalisation was reiterated. The benefits include improved efficiency, enhanced product availability, and increased private sector participation,” the communique read partly.

There was a strong emphasis on supporting local refineries to decrease dependency on imported petroleum products. The stakeholders called for freedom for marketers to purchase crude oil from local and international sources and for refineries to enter into processing agreements with retail companies.

The discussions also underscored the importance of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, including Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

The stakeholders also made a proposal for the establishment of a new committee structure in the petroleum sector, inspired by the Bankers’ Committee in Nigeria.

This structure, they said, would include a Midstream and Downstream Industry Coordination Committee to focus on enhancing collaboration within these sectors, chaired by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

They called for an Industry Interface Committee to manage interactions between the upstream and downstream sectors; and a Petroleum Industry Consultative Assembly assembly bringing together stakeholders from across the oil and gas sectors, chaired by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).

“These committees aim to foster collaboration, ensure regulatory compliance, facilitate conflict resolution, and provide strategic oversight, akin to the role played by the bankers’ committee in the banking sector.

“The creation of industry-wide consultative committees was suggested to enhance collaboration, innovation, and conflict resolution, addressing supply chain inefficiencies and infrastructure deficits was deemed crucial for long-term sustainability,” the communique said.

The oil sector investors also advocated for significant investment in infrastructure to enhance distribution and storage of petroleum products.

They called for the adoption of new technologies to optimise supply chains, reduce smuggling, and prevent adulteration.

Similarly, the business owners emphasised implementing sustainable practices, such as reducing gas flaring, promoting renewable energy use, and investing in carbon capture and storage technologies to align with global sustainability goals.

They also saw the need for a clearer and more supportive regulatory environment with references to the Petroleum Industry Act and its provisions, saying better implementation of policies is necessary to facilitate easier licensing, investment, and refinery operations.

The webinar also highlighted Nigeria’s potential to become a significant producer of plastics and petrochemical products. Stakeholders discussed leveraging the country’s abundant natural gas resources to develop a robust petrochemical industry. “This would reduce imports, create jobs, and support the local economy. Emphasis was placed on establishing the necessary infrastructure, such as petrochemical complexes, and adopting policies that encourage local manufacturing and value addition. The shift toward producing plastics domestically aligns with the broader strategy of industrial diversification and economic resilience.

“The webinar concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively toward optimising the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Emphasis was placed on the need for strategic investments, policy reforms, and innovative practices that align with global standards and sustainability goals.

“The proposed establishment of the petroleum committee will serve as a key platform for fostering collaboration and guiding the sector through its ongoing transition,” the communique stated.

The Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has announced that the state government will provide financial support to students. Undergraduates will receive ₦20,000 monthly, while postgraduate students will receive ₦30,000 monthly.

Eno made this announcement at the Youths Appreciation Rally in Uyo Township Stadium on Wednesday. He also stated that undergraduate students of medicine, law, engineering, and agriculture will receive ₦30,000 monthly.

The Governor explained that this increased bursary is part of his administration’s efforts to support students. He said, “For our students, starting this academic session, we have increased the bursary from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 for all undergraduates, and from ₦10,000 to ₦30,000 for professional students…”

Governor Eno also highlighted his government’s youth empowerment programs. He mentioned that 21 youths are currently training as engineers with Ethiopian Airlines, sponsored by the state government.

Additionally, Eno stated that over 150 youths have been trained in modern farming practices. His government will provide them with seedlings and purchase their farm produce when ready for harvest, supporting them to become successful agripreneurs.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Gombe State University branch, has declared a total and indefinite strike over unmet demands.

This is the first internal strike action since the institution was founded in 2003.

The decision was taken after a congress meeting held in the institution on Wednesday.

Details later

The United Nations has issued a warning over a potential cholera outbreak in Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, Borno State, following recent flooding in the area.

The UN is concerned that the floodwaters may contaminate water sources, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, in the already vulnerable IDP camps.

A report released by the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the immediate needs are food, protection, shelter and clean water, adding that some water sources are contaminated, and could lead to outbreaks of diseases such as Cholera.

It wrote, “The immediate needs are food, shelter and clean water, with some water sources contaminated. Protection remains a major concern, especially among unaccompanied and separated children, older persons and people living with disabilities.

Intermediate needs include non-food items and interventions to prevent the outbreak of diseases such as cholera in congested sites. The floods have also affected nutrition stabilization centres treating severely malnourished children in MMC and Jere LGAs.

“Beyond MMC and Jere LGAs in Borno State, the Dalwa community in Damboa LGA is also affected, with Bama and Gwoza LGAs similarly reporting flooding. Before the recent flash floods, almost 123,000 people in Borno State were affected by floods and windstorms since August. The floods have destroyed critical infrastructure and heightened the risk of disease outbreaks especially in overcrowded IDP camps.

Edo State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Odion Olaye, has declared that Edo state will born if the People’s Democratic Party Governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo is not declared winner ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the state. 

In a video circulating online, Olaye threatened that Edo State would face dire consequences if his preferred candidate is not declared the winner.

While campaigning for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in Egor, Benin City, Olaye expressed confidence in his candidate’s victory. He predicted that the PDP would win Egor City by a landslide, securing 80% of the votes.

Olaye also stated that if the electoral body fails to declare Asue Ighodalo the winner, Edo State would erupt into chaos. “If they refuse to do that, Edo state will burn,” he threatened in the video.

Olaye’s incendiary statement has sparked concern, as it appears to incite violence and unrest if the election outcome does not favor his preferred candidate. 

His words have been met with widespread criticism, with many calling for him to retract his statement and promote peaceful electoral processes.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Kenneth Imansuangbon, seeking to disqualify Olumide Akpata as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the September 21 election in Edo State.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Okon Abang, the appellate court held that Imansuangbon failed to explore the Labour Party’s internal conflict resolution mechanism before taking the matter to court.

The court also ruled that Imansuangbon’s case was premature and couldn’t be entertained because the conditions precedent had not been met.

Furthermore, the unanimous judgment of the three-man panel of justices stated that Imansuangbon failed to tender the disputed results of the February 23 primary election, which he claimed to have won.

This development comes after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja dismissed a similar suit in June, seeking to void Akpata’s nomination as the Labour Party’s candidate in the September 21 election.