The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to immediately reverse the second increase in petrol prices in one month, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja challenging the legality of the powers of the NNPCL to increase petrol prices.

According to a statement yesterday by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation had last month filed a lawsuit against the President and NNPCL over the failure to reverse the unlawful increase in the pump price of petrol, and to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.

The statement read, The latest increase in petrol prices makes a mockery of the case pending before the Federal High Court, and creates a risk that the course of justice will be seriously impeded or prejudiced in this case.

One of the fundamental principles of the rule of law is that it applies to everyone, including presidents and CEOs of public institutions.

It is in the public interest to keep the streams of justice clear and pure, and to maintain the authority and integrity of the court in the case.

SERAP also said allowing the Federal High Court to hear and determine the case would be entirely consistent with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], your oath of office and oft-repeated promises to uphold the rule of law.

The letter, read in part, SERAP notes that since assumption of office in May 2023 you have repeatedly promised, including in your inaugural speech, that Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the Constitution and the rule of law.

Increasing petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending would prejudice and undermine the ability of the court to do justice in the case, damage public confidence in the court, prejudice the outcome of the case, as well as impede the course of justice.

We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken following the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP shall consider contempt proceedings and/or other appropriate legal actions to compel your government and NNPCL to comply with our request in the public interest.

SERAP also warned that if not immediately reversed, the latest increase in petrol prices would seriously undermine the integrity of the Nigerian Constitution and have serious consequences for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians and the public interest.

Protecting the right to a judicial recourse and due administration of justice is of utmost importance, being the cornerstone of an ordered society.

The only way in which SERAP can have a fair and effective access to justice in this matter is to allow the court to decide, one way or the other, on the merits of the case before it.

Reversing the latest increase in petrol prices would allow the court to render a decision on the central issues in the case, and protect the applicants rights and interests.

The latest increase in petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending constitutes an interference with the right of SERAP to fairly and effectively pursue a judicial challenge to the decision by your government and NNPCL regarding the first increase in petrol prices the statement added.

SERAP noted that according to its information, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited recently increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets, saying that the retail price of petrol was increased from N897 to N1,030 per litre.

This is the second increase in one month, and followed the increase in September from N600 to N855 per litre, and in some instances above N900 per litre.

The two increases followed a scarcity caused by the reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPCL over a $6 billion debt.

According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit over USD$2 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues into the Federation Account. The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been diverted into private pockets.

The NNPCL reportedly failed and/or refused to remit N151,121,999,966. The NNPCL, without any justification, deducted the money from the oil royalties assessed for 2020 by the Department of Petroleum Resources, now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

It added that the NNPCL has failed to account for the missing public funds, pointing out that the Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted into the Federation Account.

The NNPCL also failed to remit USD$19,774,488.15 collected as government revenue to the Federation Account. The Auditor-General wants the NNPCL to account for the money, recover and remit it into the Federation Account, and to hand over those suspected to be involved to the ICPC and the EFCC.

The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd also reportedly failed to account for USD$2,021,411,877.47 and N13,313,565,786.49 of royalties collected from crude oil and gas sales and gas flare.

The Auditor-General wants the public funds fully recovered and remitted into the Federation Account and for those suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds to be handed over to the ICPC and the EFCC.

The United States government has charged the founder and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, Allen Onyema with obstruction of justice in a new indictment.

Onyema was accused of submitting false documents to halt an investigation into earlier bank fraud and money laundering charges.

The airlines Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, is also charged for his role in the obstruction and previous bank fraud schemes.

The US Attorneys Office, Northern District of Georgia in a statement on Friday said on 8 October 2024, they were both charged in a superseding indictment alleging an additional count of obstruction of justice and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.

The U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said the Air Peace CEO allegedly used his airline as a front for fraudulent activities targeting the U.S. banking system.

Buchanan also alleged that when the investigation into the actions intensified, both Onyema and Eghagha reportedly tried to obstruct justice by presenting falsified documents.

After allegedly using his airline company as a cover to commit fraud on the United States banking system, Onyema, along with his co-defendant, allegedly committed additional crimes of fraud in a failed attempt to derail the governments investigation of his conduct,

The diligence of our federal investigative partners revealed the defendants alleged obstruction scheme, making it possible for the defendants to be held accountable for their aggravated conduct of attempting to impede a federal investigation, he said.

Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, Atlanta Division, Robert J. Murphy, stressed the DEAs commitment to holding individuals accountable for fraud and money laundering.

Internal Revenue Service, IRS, Special Agent Lisa Fontanette added that the superseding indictment reflects the persistent efforts of law enforcement to dismantle criminal threats, especially through task forces like the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).

The charges stem from Onyemas alleged involvement in a scheme where, between 2010 and 2018, he transferred over $44.9 million from foreign sources into his U.S. bank accounts.

Beginning in May 2016, he and Eghagha reportedly used falsified export letters of credit to transfer more than $20 million into Onyemas U.S. accounts under the guise of purchasing Boeing 737 aircraft for Air Peace.

However, the documents supporting the transactions were allegedly fake and Springfield Aviation, the company involved, was reportedly owned by Onyema and had no real connection to aviation.

In 2019, when Onyema learnt he was under investigation, he and Eghagha allegedly conspired to submit a backdated contract to U.S. authorities to mislead the investigation and unfreeze bank accounts.

Onyema and Eghagha were first indicted in November 2019 on charges including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, multiple counts of bank fraud, credit application fraud, and money laundering.

The recent indictment adds charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The case remains under investigation, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded the immediate reversal of the latest increase in the cost of petroleum products to N1,030.

In a statement by the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) on Saturday, the association expressed concern that such decisions continue to be made without transparent consultation or dialogue with relevant stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector.

He said, We therefore call on the government to immediately take steps to reverse this increase and urgently implement measures that cushion the effect of rising fuel prices.

This should include investment in local refining capacity, public transportation, reduced taxation of the income of low-income earners, repair of public roads, improved security so farmers can farm and evacuate their farm products, transparent fuel pricing mechanisms, and broader economic policies aimed at reducing poverty and providing sustainable solutions to Nigerias energy challenges.

Similarly, the Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) has condemned increase in petrol prices, saying it was worsening the economc hardship in the country.

In a statement signed by its President, Dr Stephen Nwala, the forum demanded a reversal to the former price, maintaining that the sudden and steep hike in the cost of petrol had triggered widespread hardship, pushing many citizens further into poverty and creating additional strain on businesses and households across the country.

The timing of this price increase could not be more detrimental as Nigerians are still grappling with the economic fallout from fuel subsidy removal, rising inflation, and the ongoing challenges posed by unemployment and underemployment.

The decision to raise fuel prices at this critical juncture is not only insensitive but also counterproductive to the governments stated goals of economic recovery and poverty alleviation even when the national minimum wage increase is yet to be implemented by both state and federal government.

FOSAD urges the Federal Government to take immediate steps to reverse the fuel price hike and explore alternative measures to address the economic challenges facing the nation.

It is imperative that the government prioritizes the welfare of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, who are disproportionately affected by such policies, he said.

Dangote Refinery plans to commence crude oil production, according to S & P Global Commodity Insights.

This is coming amid the persistent feedstock challenges the Nigerian oil firm is facing.

The crude production is expected to start at its two Niger Delta upstream projects in Oil Mining Leases 71 and 72, starting with about 20,000 barrels per day before ramping up further in the first quarter of 2025.

The company source said production at the companys two Niger Delta upstream projects in Oil Mining Leases 71 and 72 would start at around 20,000 b/d, before ramping up further in the first quarter of 2025, the report said.

The Nigerian Government recently confirmed that it has commenced a Naira-for-crude deal with Dangote Refinery.

In line with the deal, the Nigerian Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, will supply crude oil to Dangote Refinery in Naira.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had directed NNPCL to supply crude in Naira to Dangote Refinery.

The development comes as NNPCL recently increased fuel pump prices to N1030 per liter in Abuja.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to politicians to guard against utterances that could incite Nigerians into violent protest against the government.

Oyintiloye said that any politician who might be hiding under the current ongoing hardship in the country to incite the masses against the constituted authorities should be regarded as an enemy of the state.

The APC chieftain made the remarks while speaking with journalists yesterday in Osogbo.

Oyintiloye said that what President Bola Tinubu needed at this period is prayers and the support of all Nigerians to enable him stabilise the economy for the benefit of the masses.

He said that the economic challenges the country is passing through required the understanding and collaborative approach towards finding lasting solutions to them and not inciting comment that could lead to public unrest.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, who noted that the president was doing everything humanly possible to turn the economy around, said it would amount to being unpatriotic for anyone, no matter how highly placed to incite the masses into a protest.

He called on the security agencies to be alert and ensure that anyone who is attempting to incite the masses to cause havoc in the country is made to face the law.

There is no doubt that the economy is not in its best shape, but this is just temporary.

The president is working assiduously to ensure that the economy is brought back to shape for Nigerians to enjoy.

While we are waiting for that, I do not think inciting the masses against the government is the best way to go.

I will strongly advise those politicians who are calling people to protest against the government to desist or be ready to face the law, he said.

The attention of the Imo State Ministry of Transport has been drawn to a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja barring the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Services (VIO) in the FCT from further stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on traffic violators.

The Ministry has been inundated with calls and inquiries on whether the VIO in Imo State is affected by the judgment and its implication for the operations of the VIO in the State.

It is therefore imperative to state as follows:

1. The judgement in question was delivered in Abuja and therefore lacks jurisdictional effect in Imo State.

2. The motif of the judgment of FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 was the lack of an operational law on which basis the VIO operated in the Federal Capital Territory.

3) The Vehicle Inspection Unit in Imo State operates under the statutory mandate of the Ministry of Transport and the Imo State Transport Administration Law No.14 2011 as a Unit in the Ministry of Transport Imo State.

The law defined what constitutes Traffic Violations and Offences. It also stipulates penalties and fines payable in the case of violations as a deterrent to ensure the safety of our roads and road users.

3. In view of the above, the judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja on VIO operations is not applicable in Imo State and of no effect.

Imolites and indeed all road users in the State are advised to continue to abide by the extant State laws governing Traffic Management in the State to ensure safety on our roads as we strive to improve the experience of road users in our dear State, Imo.

E-Signed:

Hon. Dr. (Sir) Chika Benson Abazu

Commissioner for Transport

Imo State

October 10, 2024.

As Nigeria’s oil sector continues to experience volatility in both production and prices, the government and the citizens have been advised to look elsewhere for the country’s economic future.

Specifically, they have been encouraged to focus more on human capital development, especially those with the requisite skills as an alternative to oil in the economic evolution of Nigeria.

That was the submission of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State who insisted that in the post oil era, it is only skilled manpower that will come to the rescue and growth of the economy.

Speaking at Ilorin, Kwara State at the maiden Convocation Lecture of OJAJA University, weekend, Uzodimma said the time has come for the nation to invest in human capital development, particularly the growing of skills so as not to be caught unawares in its developmental initiatives.

Senator Uzodimma in his Convocation Lecture titled: THE ROLE OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN GROWING SKILLED LABOUR FOR A RESILIENT ECONOMY, noted that universities are the change agents to achieve the purpose, and canvassed support for them in terms of investments.

According to him, as “the nation strives for economic resilience in this era of globalisation, the role of education, particularly higher education, becomes crucial.”

He singled out private universities as the potential drivers of the new economic order, saying that they “have emerged as vital contributors to the production of a skilled workforce that can adapt to the evolving demands of the economy.”

The Governor argued that given the structure of the country’s economy, with services contributing half of the GDP, private universities have a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead the growing of skills in Nigeria.

“Private universities which are not usually encumbered by some of the constraints faced by public institutions, have the opportunity to be bold and pragmatic in their approach. They can experiment with new teaching methodology, integrate inter disciplinary studies and create learning experiences that transcend traditional academic boundaries, ” he submitted.

He was confident that the private universities, apart from emerging leaders in the growing of skills for the economy, will become the base upon which the future will be built.

Uzodimma declared: “Looking to the future , I see immense potentials in private universities. I see them producing graduates who are not just employees but innovators and entrepreneurs. I see them contributing to a knowledge economy that can compete on the global stage. I see them playing a major role in making Nigeria a hub for skilled talent in Africa and beyond.”

He said for that envisaged future to emerge from the private universities, it required strategic planning and unwavering commitment from diverse stakeholders, including the government.

Governor Uzodimma canvassed collaboration among the stakeholders for the support of private universities to enable them to play the intercessory role in the growing of skills and enhanced economy.

He added: “The future of our great nation lies not in the oil beneath our soil but in the potent skills and knowledge up our skills. Private universities have a pivotal role to play in incubating these potentials.”

Turning to the graduates of OJAJA University, he described them as pacesetters who have the potential of emerging presidents, governors, and Senators in the future. He congratulated them for their academic accomplishments.

He also commended the Visitor, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Adeyeye, Ojaja II whom he described as a nationalist and foremost traditional ruler, whose contributions to the education sector and the economy in general remain unprecedented.

The Poultry Association of Nigeria has warned that if urgent steps are not taken to support poultry farmers, prices of eggs may increase from the current N5,500 to N10,000 per crate.

The association attributed the rising cost of the protein to the high cost of transportation as a result of fuel subsidy removal as well as indiscriminate increase in prices of feed by the millers.

The Secretary of PAN, FCT Chapter Musa Hakeem said this at a press briefing to commemorate World Egg Day on Saturday in Abuja.

Hakeem said the Federal Government must as a matter of urgency declare a State of emergency on Egg production in the country, given the serious decline in protein intake, saying Nigerians can not afford to depend on the importation of eggs.

He pointed out, If we should go by the proportional increase in the prices of these factors mentioned earlier, we will be buying eggs at N10,000 per create, but because we wanted to be compassionate, coupled with the important of eggs for health, we left the price at the current price of N5,500.

Hakeem warned that the prices of the protein may change soon to N6000 going by the increasing prices of poultry feed.

He said, To the best of my knowledge, the last time we received any grains intervention from the government was three years ago saying other respite by the government to cushion the high prices of food are only read on the pages of the newspaper.

He called on the government to ensure that they carry PAN along in their intervention activities as they have the data of all the poultry farmers in the FCT.

He lamented that the government is not paying the required attention to the poultry subsector as it has been neglected over time, saying business owners have been operating in their own volition and hoped that the industry does not crash.

The Chief Executive Officer of Pest Agro Dealers, Jude Arikogu, lamented the indiscriminate increase in prices of feed by millers and also the low measurement of the feeds saying, a 25kg bag of feed is hardly up to 23kg when put on our scale.

Arikogu also lamented that poultry farmers are unable to raise finance from the banks as banks are not willing to finance them.

The Ex officio officer of the association at the national level, Ibrahim Lamidi, said the business environment is not favourable to them as they are only trying to ensure Nigerians have eggs on the table.

He encouraged Nigeria to always eat eggs in place of meat, saying eggs are more proteinous and cheaper.

By Senator Onyekwere.

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and thousands of people of Ideato Nation yesterday trooped out en-mass to witness the commencement of the construction of Orlu/Mgbee/Umuchima/Akokwa Road In Imo State.

Speaking during the ceremony the APC National Vice Chairman, South-East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu commended the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma for his efforts to embark on the construction of the road.

Dr Arodiogbu said that the gesture was a clear demonstration of Governor Uzodimma’s love to the people of Ideato Nation and thanked him for such a wonderful initiative.

Arodiogbu regretted that Ideato Nation has produce people in various elective positions including Governorship position, yet they did not give attention to the road.

Also speaking the State Organizing Secretary of APC, Hon Ikechukwu Sunday Umeh said that the purpose of the ceremony was to thank the state Governor for embarking on the construction of the road.

Hon. Umeh stated that Governor Uzodimma has done well and made it clear that the road, when completed will improve the economic activities of the the people of Ideato North and South.

Umeh disclosed that the road has been neglected by the past administrations but Governor Uzodimma deemed it fit to embark on the construction and prayed God to bless him.

In his speech the member representing Ideato North at the State House Of Assembly,Hon Okechukwu Udeze said that the people of Ideato Nation had suffered a lot as a result of the bad road and thanked the Governor for coming to their rescue.

In her speech the State Commissioner for Women Affairs,Hon Mrs Nkechi Ugwu commended the State Governor for his kind gesture and urged the people of Ideato Nation to cooperate with the company handling the project to compliment the effort of the Governor towards the construction of the road.

In their sperate speeches the Executive Chairman of Ideato North LGA,Hon Chukwunonso Okparaeke And the Executive Chairman of Ideato South Hon. Okay Okwara expressed joy over the commencement of the construction Of the Road and promised the support of the people of Ideato Nation on the project.

The Ceremony Offered an opportunity for the Councillor Iheme Ward Hon Kawu Kenechukwu to Moved a Motion on behalf of the people Ideato Nation calling for the Recall Of the member representing Ideato North And South at Federal House Of Representative,Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere Seconded by Hon Joel Abaneke.

When the motion was put into vote the yes had it.

Some Of personalities during the event were Special Adviser to the Governor On Poverty Alleviation,Barr Mrs Ifeoma Favour Charles–Umeh,Eze P.E Ewuzie, the president General Umuchima Okwara Nelson Ejike.etc

The Senate has passed for second reading, a bill to establish the Federal University of Okigwe, Imo.

This followed the presentation of the general principles.

The Senate has passed for second reading, a bill to establish the Federal University of Okigwe, Imo.

This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor Sen. Ndubueze Patrick (APC – Imo North) at plenary on Thursday.

Patrick said the bill sought to provide for establishment of Federal University, Okigwe, Imo.

According to him, the school will be saddled with the main function of providing quality education that will train the younger generation in different professional fields both at graduate and post graduate levels

He listed the fields to include agriculture, environmental sciences, epidemiology and virology, robotics and nuclear technology.

The lawmaker said the training of the young Nigerians on the courses would not only reduce unemployment, but also guarantee food security for the host state and the nation at large.

Patrick said the proposed site for the federal university had a first phase built up with structures meant for the unrealised engineering faculty which had been abandoned.

He said the Imo Government had graciously granted approval for all the facilities to be taken over by the proposed federal university.

Patrick said that the state government’s gesture would result in a minimal initial cost outlay to start the institution.

“The location is a large expanse of land in a serene environment on the bank of Imo River; away from the hustle, bustle and noise associated with the city.

“It is therefore suitable for research and learning; the establishment of a Federal University in Okigwe zone in Imo North will come with employment of junior workers from the area.

“This will reduce youth unemployment and bring the incidence of insecurity to a manageable level.”

He said the arable nature of the area would be of immense benefit to the proposed federal university in the area of agricultural research and production.

“The university, if put in place, will complement the inadequate opportunity for university education provided by the few tertiary institutions in the South-East zone.

“It will thus give the south easterners a sense of belonging and enhance national unity, since admission will cut across Nigeria as a whole.’’

According to him, the objectives of the university, among others, include provision of higher education for qualified JAMB candidates who have been repeatedly sitting for the exams due to lack of vacancy for admission.

“Other objectives are provision of relevant professional courses and training research in agriculture, fisheries, environmental sciences and technology and more importantly nuclear technology.

“Also to be provided are cancer and health related studies with well- equipped faculties and departments to give the students required knowledge in the specialised fields,” he said.

He said the establishment of the school would help improve food security considering proximity of the university to Imo River.

He urged lawmakers to support the bill for its second reading.

President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, shortly after the bill was read the second time, referred it to Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative inputs and to be returned to plenary in four weeks.(NAN)

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), in collaboration with UNICEF and the government of Imo State, is organizing a two-day capacity-building workshop in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday, 23rd, and Thursday, 24th October, 2024.

The workshop with the theme, ‘THE MEDIA AS PARTNERS IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT’ is for editors in the nine (9) states of the Guild’s Eastern Zone.

According to a statement signed by the NGE Vice President, East, Sheddy Ozoene, in the first part of the workshop, only 45 editors were randomly selected by the Guild and UNICEF. Another batch will be selected to participate in the next program.

He said for those selected and already contacted, should arrive Owerri on Tuesday, 22nd October 2024, while departure will be on Friday, 25th October 2024.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale, has disclosed that the Federal Government will deploy troops to Gundumi village, in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, while reiterating government commitment to deal decisively with terrorist informants.

Matawale stated this on Thursday on his way to Isa town, headquarters of Isa Local Government area of Sokoto State.

The minister, who was in the state for the second time in less than two months as part of his efforts to monitor the activities of troops in the Northwest area of the country, reiterated the government’s commitment to return normalcy to the communities.

Speaking while addressing the people of the village, the minister assured that the federal government was working assiduously to ensure the immediate return of economic activities to the environment.

“I want to assure you that the federal government is working towards restoration of peace and economic activities in this area.

“I have also discussed with the governor here, and he assured me that the road between Marnona and Isa town will be open for use in the process.”

He, however, warned people of the village from acting as informants to bandits, which he described as the same crime as bandits.

“Let me warn the people of this village to stop acting as informants to bandits. Anyone of you caught giving information to the bandits will not be spared of anything.

What do we stand to gain if we give our brothers and sisters to bandits, we should better desist from such acts.”

He said the federal government will deal with anyone suspected to be informants decisively.

“The government is not ready to take it lightly with any informants, such person if caught will be given the same treatment as bandits.”

Meanwhile, the minister has commended the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji for their efforts in dealing with the banditry in the state.

Matawale, while addressing troops at one of their camp in Tara, a community in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area, said President Bola Tinubu was concerned about the activities of the troops.

He assured that the federal government, in collaboration with the Sokoto government, will construct a befitting environment to help them in the discharge of their duties.

He said the government would ensure that every needed logistics required in the line of their duty was provided.

In a continue effort to combat insecurity, Nigerian Armed Forces have neutralized 165 terrorists and arrested 273 individuals, including oil thieves and economic saboteurs, in various operations across the country within the past seven days.

Additionally, troops rescued 188 kidnapped victims and thwarted the theft of crude oil worth ₦688.32 million.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed the military’s success in disrupting criminal activities, noting that troops destroyed 65 illegal refining sites and recovered 789,200 liters of stolen crude oil, 64,950 liters of illegally refined diesel, and numerous other materials, including boats, storage tanks, and vehicles.

During these operations, the military recovered 153 assorted weapons and 2,182 rounds of ammunition. These included 81 AK-47 rifles, 23 fabricated rifles, and a variety of other arms and ammunition. Additionally, security forces seized 19 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 45 mobile phones, and ₦64,100 in cash.

Northeast: Troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 83 terrorists, arrested 56 suspects, and rescued 50 kidnapped hostages. Among the weapons seized were 18 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action guns, and 13 fabricated rifles. Troops also recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition and multiple vehicles, motorcycles, and mobile phones.

In Borno State’s Biu Local Government Area, six collaborators of Boko Haram and ISWAP were arrested, along with 38 rounds of ammunition. In separate operations in Damboa and Konduga, 25 terrorists were neutralized and large quantities of arms were seized.

North Central: In Operation Safe Haven, troops neutralized eight extremists, arrested 39 suspects, and rescued 33 kidnapped hostages. In Kaduna and Plateau states, multiple arrests and rescues were made during firefights with violent extremists, and weapons were recovered, including AK-47 rifles and magazines.

Northwest: Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 40 terrorists, arrested 21 suspects, and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages in Zamfara, Kaduna, and other states. Notable among the operations was an airstrike on the enclave of a notorious terrorist commander in Zamfara State, which resulted in the destruction of the terrorist hideout and the neutralization of several combatants.

South-South: Operation Delta Safe saw troops intercept oil thieves and economic saboteurs. Over 789,000 liters of stolen crude oil were recovered, along with significant quantities of illegally refined diesel. The troops also destroyed numerous illegal refining sites and recovered boats, vehicles, and weapons.

Southeast: In Operation Udoka, troops neutralized nine terrorists, arrested 21 violent extremists, and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages. Multiple weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, and ammunition, were recovered. Additionally, airstrikes targeted IPOB/ESN terrorist camps, eliminating several fighters and destroying their logistics.

Major General Buba emphasized the military’s ongoing success in dismantling the operational capabilities of various terror groups and reiterated the commitment to protecting citizens and securing the nation. The military also warned against inflammatory comments or actions that could hinder ongoing operations, cautioning that such actions would have severe consequences.

The general concluded that significant progress was being made across all theaters of operations, with the neutralization of high-profile terrorist commanders, such as the notorious Mai Hijabi in Jigawa State, as a notable victory in the fight against insecurity.

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka says he prefers traditional Orisa worshipping to Christianity and Islam because it fascinated him more.

Soyinka said this in an interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo, where he further explained that the depth of faith in Islam and Christianity doesn’t match that of Orisa worshipping for him.

According to him, Orisa worshipping eschews violence and is more creative.

“I was fortunate to be born in two worlds – the Christian world and traditional Orisa worshippers.

My grandfather, until he – poor man – also got converted, was an Orisa person and a chief, and his (grandfather’s) side (of Orisa) fascinated me a lot more.

“For me, it (Orisa worshipping) was more artistic, creative, and also more mysterious. I don’t find much of the mysterious in Christianity and even less in Islam. And that is for a simple reason that I didn’t grow up in a Muslim environment.

“Orisa is open, and very ecumenical and that is why these foreign religions were able to penetrate it and even distort the truth. Because of the generosity of this spirit (Orisa), it is not violent. It is one of those African religions which eschew violence.

“I don’t believe in the Islamic or Christian God and, for the adherents of these religions, if that makes me an atheist, so I say, I am an atheist.

“I insisted that all human beings have a certain spiritual core in their being. I believe myself to be a more spirit-sensitive person,” Wole Soyinka said.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to increase the pump price of petrol was not influenced by the Federal Government.

NNPC, on Wednesday, hiked petrol pump prices from N897 per litre to N1,030 in Abuja; from N855 to N998 in Lagos; N1,070 in North-East; N1,025 in other South-West States; N1,045 in South-East and N1,075 in South-South.

Amid widespread outrage over the hike, Idris on Thursday explained that the NNPCL made the decision in response to prevailing circumstances in the energy industry.

The Minister emphasised that the Federal Government can no longer fix prices of petroleum products, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He added that with the end of the petrol subsidy regime in May 2023, the NNPCL had only been paying differential to keep the price within the range it had been, but the company said it could no longer absorb the losses.

“The differential you’re seeing is a result of different factors. One of them is the crisis in the Middle East. There’s volatility in the market. Therefore, the prices of petroleum products are going up, consistent with what is happening with other operators in the industry globally. Secondly, NNPC cannot continue to absorb these losses for Nigeria because as a limited liability company, it would be operating at a loss”, he said.

The Minister, however, appealed to Nigerians to understand the situation, assuring that prices would eventually decrease.

Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has given an insight into his face-off with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Fubara said his rift with Wike has to do with tussle over power and control in Rivers State.

Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads since the latter assumed office as governor in 2023.

The cold war between the duo had continued despite President Bola Tinubu and other relevant stakeholders intervention.

But speaking about the crisis on Channels TV Politics Today, Fubara said he had kept all understandings despite the continued face-off.

According to Fubara: We all know the issue. It is very simple. It has to do with the issue of power and control. You have all seen it in this case. If election had been held in Rivers and council chairmen had been inaugurated in a normal situation do we even need anybody to go and obstruct them from entering the Secretariat?

I don’t think there is any understanding we had that I haven’t kept. There is no understanding that we had that I haven’t kept. Like I said I wont want to discuss those issues.

The governor also raised concerns about Tinubu’s intervention in the crisis because only his name was mentioned.

He said: I don’t have any issue with the President intervention. But I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned. But like I said since it is coming from the President, I have no comments about it.

This issue is simple. It is as simple as an ABC. Everyone in Nigeria and Rivers knows where this issue is coming from. It is not rocket science. The issue is not Fubara.

No fewer than 40 fishermen have jointly killed a mother hippopotamus that killed Malam Usman Maigadi, a guard at Orchard Farm owned by the Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammad Zayyanu-Abdullahi, on September 22.

It was gathered that the fishermen armed with bows and arrows, killed the hippopotamus in Yauri River, Yauri Local Government Area, on Monday.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Yauri LGA, Alhaji Abubakar Shuaibu, said the animal was killed by the fishermen following a directive from the Emir of Yauri.

If you could recall, the hippo killed Yauri Emirs guard and another farmer in September.

We cant keep an animal that is killing people anyhow, and all the people it killed were not after the animal, they were doing their own fishing business.

After they killed it, they transported it on a big canoe from the river to the palace of the District Head of Gungu, Alhaji Kasimu Aliyu, amidst applause by a crowd of people.

The brave fishermen subsequently butchered the animal into pieces and shared the meat with the people, Shuaibu said.