Headlines

Angry market women in Ondo State took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the abduction of nine surveyors at Owode Ilu-Abo in Akure South Local Government Area.

The women, holding placards, expressed their growing concerns over the worsening security situation in the state. The protest led to a blockade at the governor’s office, causing significant traffic gridlock in Akure for several hours.

The protesters called on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims, who were reportedly at Owode Ilu-Abo for work when they were kidnapped by suspected bandits.

Toyin Arowosafe, a market leader, told reporters that the kidnappers had contacted them and demanded a ransom of N100 million. Despite attempts to negotiate the ransom down to N50 million, the kidnappers rejected the offer.

Arowosafe confirmed that the surveyors were abducted on Tuesday of the previous week. Comfort Afolabi, one of the protesters and a relative of one of the victims, also affirmed that the kidnappers had demanded N100 million.

Bola Taiwo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, addressed the protesters and reassured them that the state government is actively working to resolve the situation. He expressed optimism that the victims would be released soon and urged the protesters to remain calm.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, challenging the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State.

In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, the apex court ruled that the appeal was “baseless, frivolous, and lacking in merit,” and consequently upheld the decisions of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Ajayi had sought to nullify Aiyedatiwa’s victory, alleging that the deputy governor, Owolabi Adelami, was ineligible due to accusations of forgery, impersonation, and using a false identity. However, both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal dismissed Ajayi’s case on procedural grounds, reinforcing Aiyedatiwa’s legitimacy as governor.

Ajayi filed the legal challenge on June 7, 2024, claiming that Adelami’s eligibility was compromised due to the alleged falsification of documents. During the initial proceedings, the defendants, including Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, the APC, and INEC, argued that Ajayi lacked standing to file the suit and that the case had exceeded the constitutionally mandated 14-day window for such challenges.

On December 2, 2024, the Federal High Court dismissed the case, stating that the allegations of forgery required substantial evidence that could not be presented through an originating summons. The court also ruled that the petition was “statute-barred” as it was filed after the legal deadline.

The Court of Appeal upheld this ruling on January 18, 2025, and imposed a fine of ₦500,000 on Ajayi.

With the Supreme Court’s final verdict, the legal dispute over the Ondo State governorship election has now been resolved, affirming Aiyedatiwa’s victory.

At least three separate groups staged demonstrations at the assembly entrance, expressing support for Akpabio leadership and endorsing the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).

The protesters accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to blackmail the Senate following her removal as chairperson of the Committee on Local Content. They voiced their approval of the disciplinary action taken against her, chanting slogans and displaying banners backing the Senate’s decision.

Security operatives were on the ground to monitor the situation as the demonstrations unfolded peacefully.

Oil marketers have raised concerns over the negative impact of fluctuating petrol prices on their businesses, warning that the instability threatens their survival.

The President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gilly-Harris, highlighted the issue during an interview on Channels Television’s Business Morning on Tuesday. He noted that the recent volatility in fuel prices has put significant financial pressure on retail outlets.

The concerns follow an ongoing price competition between the Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). After Dangote Refinery reduced its ex-depot price by ₦65, retail pump prices at its filling stations dropped from ₦925–₦930 to ₦860 per litre. In response, NNPCL also slashed prices at its retail outlets, intensifying competition between the two major players in the sector.

Gilly-Harris stated that the frequent price changes have made it difficult for retailers to sustain their businesses.

“In our consistent weekly reviews, we have seen that the level of losses and the possibility of many of us going out of business are becoming glaring,” he said.

He added that while marketers strive to ensure affordability for consumers, the unpredictable price swings make it difficult to remain financially stable.

“The challenge is that we buy products at a certain price, and before the close of business, the price drops. There should be a mechanism to regulate price fluctuations to prevent negative impacts on the industry,” he said.

Gilly-Harris emphasized that businesses can only survive by maintaining minimal profits to cover operating costs. He expressed concerns about purchasing fuel at ₦880 per litre, only for the price to drop to ₦840–₦870, making it difficult for retailers to recover their investments.

Speaking on price regulation in the downstream sector, he noted that PETROAN members have the capacity to import or buy locally refined products. However, he stressed that they would not operate at a loss.

“We have always implemented stakeholder agreements, and we have the capacity to import or purchase locally refined products. But with prices fluctuating without clear business consultations, we urge the NMDPRA and the Consumer Protection Agency to take action and work with stakeholders to ensure a stable market and pricing system,” he said.

Oil marketers are calling for regulatory intervention to prevent further disruptions in the sector and ensure price stability for both businesses and consumers

The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has condemned the demolition of over 500 shops at Owode Motor Spare Part Market, Owode Onirin, allegedly carried out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

The demolition, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, March 6, 2025, was reportedly part of an enforcement exercise targeting the neighboring Agbajoowo Market. However, traders claim LASBCA wrongfully extended the operation into Owode Market, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of shops.

In a petition to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, CHSR President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, described the demolition as “a brazen act of land grabbing” that threatens the livelihoods of thousands of traders and the economic stability of Lagos State. The organization urged the governor to intervene urgently to prevent further hardship for affected traders.

Traders also accused security operatives of targeting their association chairman, Comrade Abiodun Hammed, who was arrested and detained at FCID Alagbon before being granted bail. They allege that police imposed strict conditions barring him from the market and restricting his involvement in market affairs.

With losses amounting to billions of naira, CHSR is demanding immediate government action to address the alleged injustice and ensure the protection of traders under the law. The organization emphasized its commitment to defending fundamental human and socioeconomic rights, calling for fairness, justice, and adherence to the rule of law.

At least 13 people have been killed in a reprisal attack by the Lakurawa terrorist group on Birnin Dede village in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The attack follows the recent killing of the group’s leader, Maigemu, by a joint security operation.

According to a survivor, Malam Umar, the assailants struck late at night, targeting multiple communities. He noted that only one village, which had a military presence, was spared.

Arewa Local Government Chairman, Sani Aliyu, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with journalists.

Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, who visited the affected areas, reported that two individuals sustained gunshot wounds, while an unspecified number of people were also injured. Eight communities were set ablaze during the attack.