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Category: News

  • Hoarding: NSCDC reads riot act to fuel marketers

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned petroleum products markerters against making life difficult for citizens by hoarding and hiking the pump prices.

    The Commandant of the Corps in Zamfara, Mr Muhammad Muazu, issued the warning in a statement by the command’s Public Relation Officer, Mr Ikor Oche, and made available to newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday.

    According to him, the Corps has observed with dismay the unwarranted artificial scarcity of petroleum products created by marketers sequel to President Bola Tinubu’s pronouncement of the removal of subsidy on the products.

    Muazu described the act as sabotage and attempt to scuttle the smooth take off of the new administration in the country.

    He explained that NSCDC was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a free supply of petroleum products to the right destination without diversion or hoarding.

    The commandant therefore assured that the Corps would deal with any filling station found hoarding or causing artificial scarcity in accordance with the law.

    He warned all petroleum dealers to desist from making life unbearable for the citizens.

  • FG moves date for National Awards

    The Federal Government has changed the date for the collection of the National Honour Award for the recipients to yet undisclosed date.

    Mrs Ibiene Roberts, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, made the disclosure in a circular issued by Mrs Julie Jacobs, Director of Information in the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The date for the collection of the award certificates and medals was earlier fixed for the recipients to pick them up on Thursday June 1.

    According to Roberts, due to circumstances beyond the control of the ministry, the date for the collection of the instruments of the award as already published in some national dailies is not feasible.

    She said a new date for the exercise would be communicated to the concerned recipients in due course.

    “All award recipients are to send copies of their citations/resumes to the Secretary, National Honours Awards Committee, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (FMSDIGA) on or before June 9.

    “The soft copies should be sent to the following e-mail addresses: umaruahmadu82@yahoo.com, doobisag@yahoo.com in the following format: ” A. biodata:, title:, surname:, other names:, gender:,, phone no.:, email:, state of origin:, address:.

    “B. citation and biography (not more than 500 words):, early life:, educational qualifications:, career/achievements:, personal life hobbies etc.): and C. passport photograph:

    The permanent secretary, however, apologised on behalf of the ministry for any inconvenience the change of date might have caused the recipients.

    “For further enquiries or clarification, please contact the Secretary, National Honours Awards Committee on the following Tel. Nos: 08059382659 and 08034508837,” she said.

  • Subsidy: Kyari meets Tinubu, says fuel queues won’t last

    Subsidy: Kyari meets Tinubu, says fuel queues won’t last

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has assured Nigerians that fuel queues in filling stations, following the affirmation of the removal of subsidy, will soon vanished.

    Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), briefed State House correspondents after meeting  President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Tinubu, had in his inaugural speech on Monday, commended the past administration for phasing out the petrol subsidy regime, which had increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor.

    Kyari said that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) stipulated that the price of petroleum should be determined by market forces.

    “I know all us must have seen the fuel queues in filling stations across the country.

    “It is very understandable that whenever announcements to changes to prices of petroleum happen, both buyers and marketers will like assurance of what exactly this means and typically, consumers will rush to the filling stations to fill their tanks and that is why you are seeing these queues.

    “And also for marketers, they will like to see exactly what this means in terms of how are we going to sell the products if subsidy on PMS is removed?

    “And the combination of the two is what you are seeing -the obvious dislocation on distribution and we believe that this will go away very quickly.

    “And as you may be aware, PIB which was accented in 2021 and became an Act, made it clear that the price of petroleum must be priced at the market,” Kyari stated.

    He said, however, that the government also decided to provide for subsidy in the 2022 Appropriation Act and also for half year in 2023.

    According to him, while the PIA is clear that petroleum should be priced, but it did not say that government cannot put its money in any way it wants.

    “Therefore, we, as a commercial company established by the PIA, we are doing it strictly as business; delivering value as supply of last resort by virtue of the law but at a cost to the federation.

    “And that cost includes the cost of subsidy; this subsidy cost should have been money that will be given to the NNPC, may be on monthly or daily basis.

    “However, since the provision of the N6 trillion in 2022 and N3.7 trillion in 2023, we have not received no payment whatsoever from the federation; that means they are unable to pay and we continue and continue to support the subsidy from the cash flow of the NNPC.”

    He also explained further:“That is when we net off our physical obligations of taxes and royalties, there is still a balance we are funding from our cash flow and that has become very difficult, and it affects our other operations.

    “We are not able to keep some of this cash to invest in our core businesses and the end result is that it can be a huge challenge for the company.

    “And we have highlighted this severally to government; that they must compensate NNPC; they must pay NNPC for the money we have spent on subsidy.’’

    The NNPC Ltd boss said that by virtue of the law and the Appropriation Act 2023, funding was no longer available while the country could no longer fund the subsidy and no longer able to pay NNPC.

    “Therefore, we are pleased to note the president’s commitment to the removal of subsidy because they cannot afford it anymore.

  • Subsidy Removal: NLC kicks, urges Tinubu to put palliative measures in place

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lambasted new President Bola Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy without due consultations, urging him to ensure palliative measures are put in place to ease workers’ sufferings.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, made the appeal in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that Tinubu announced the fuel subsidy removal during his inaugural speech on Monday, saying that subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources.

    Tinubu pledged to re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that would materially improve the lives of millions.

    Ajaero said that the NLC would staunchly oppose the decision.

    “We at the Nigeria Labour are outraged by the pronouncement of President Bola Tinubu removing ‘fuel subsidy’ without due consultations with critical stakeholders.

    “Or without putting in place palliative measures to cushion the harsh effects of the ‘subsidy removal,” he said.

    He said that within hours of Mr President’s pronouncement, the nation had gone into a tailspin due to a combination of service shut downs and product price hike, in some places representing over 300 per cent price adjustment.

    He said that by the decision, Tinubu on his inauguration day had brought tears and sorrow to millions of Nigerians instead of hope.

    The NLC president also said that Mr President had equally devalued the quality of their lives by over 300 per cent and counting.

    According to him, it is no heroism to commit against the people this level of cruelty at any time, let alone on an inauguration day.

    “If he is expecting a medal for taking this decision, he would certainly be disappointed to receive curses for the people of Nigeria consider this decision not only a slight but a big betrayal.

    “On our part, we are demanding the immediate withdrawal of this policy. The implications of this decision are grave for our security and well-being.

    “We wonder if President Tinubu gave a thought to why his predecessors in office refused to implement this highly injurious policy decision?”.

    He added that “we also wonder if he also forgot the words he penned down on January 8, 2012, but issued on January 11, 2012.

    “In light of the foregoing, we advise Tinubu to respect his own postulations and economic theories instead of daring the people. It could be a costly gamble,” he cautioned. 

  • Reps hail fuel subsidy removal, appeal for calm

    House of Representatives has commended President Bola Tinubu for his courage in removing the fuel subsidy with the intention to serve Nigeria with honesty and integrity.

    This followed the adoption of an urgent motion of public importance by Rep Abdulraheem Olajide (APC-Lagos) at plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Presenting the motion, Olajide said President Tinubu was a concerned senior citizen who’s agenda was to favour the down trodden for the purpose of humanity.

    He said that it should be noted that there was no provision for fuel subsidy in the 2023 Appropriation Act, adding that the 9th Assembly and the past administration gave it a legal backing.

    He said any legislative action in support of the President to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians would go a long way in enhancing development.

    “The president is concern about the masses and has meaningful objective to utilise Nigeria funds appropriately with budgetary reforms agenda on education, health, and infrastructure

    “Others include: agriculture, food, security and above all security of lives and property as embedded in the constitution,” he said.

    The House congratulated the president on his readiness for the tasks ahead in service of humanity.

    The House appealed to Nigerians to remain patient, resilient and prayerful so that the President could deliver on his promises.

    Tinubu had after his inauguration as President at Eagles Square on May 29, announced the removal of fuel subsidy.

    The decision had generated mixed feelings as the effect was being felt with oil marketers and filling stations shutting down, resulting in queues, while some stations have already hiked their prices. 

  • Fuel scarcity: Price hits N520 in Edo, Delta

    Fuel pump price is now between N400 and N500 in Edo and Delta, in a few filling stations opened for business as long queues resurfaced on Tuesday.

    The sudden hike in fuel pump price and long queues is because of President Bola Tinubu’s pronouncement that he is removing fuel subsidy.

    In Edo and Delta on Tuesday, most filling stations within Benin metropolis and Asaba Township, refused to open for business while the few filling stations dispensing fuel, are selling at prices ranging between N450 and N520 per litre.

    In Benin, it is reported that few filling stations which included NNPC mega station on the Sapele, Buvel, and ‘Madam 200’, were dispensing the petroleum product for prices ranging between N190 and N200, but with long queues.

    The other few independent marketers, seen attending to customers, were selling for between N450 and N500, but also experienced long queues.

    A motorist, Mrs Evelyn Boswell, told newsmen that she had been to about four filling stations without success.

    “I am worried because I need to pick up my children from school. If I can just get five litres, that will be enough to bring them from school.

    “If the situation remains like this, they will have to stay at home until the product is available,” Boswell said.

    Mr Johnson Ikpe, a motorist, said “nobody cares about the poor people in Nigeria. The scarcity has left us stranded. I can’t even get to my workplace. I am stranded.”

    According to him, these filling stations have this product but they are hoarding it. Some of them who sold for between N200 and N210 on Monday morning, later sold for between N400 in the evening after the president’s speech.

    Commercial bus drivers have also increased transport fares by 100 per cent depending on the routes.

    In Asaba, Delta, motorists have appealed to the Federal Government to intervene and quickly resolve this emerging artificial fuel scarcity across the states of the federation.

    Mr Andy Obi, however, described the removal of fuel subsidy as a good development, but noted the timing for the implementation was not good.

    ”We have not even recovered from the economic hardship occasioned by the impact of the introduction of the new naira notes and now removal of fuel subsidy is being implemented.

    ”I will appeal to the federal government to intervene in the pain of struggling to get fuel, not just getting but buying it at a very high rate,” he said.

    On his part, Mrs Cynthia Eze, said, “I left my home since morning and I have visited about six different filling stations without any success of getting fuel to buy.

    ”I’m appealing to government for intervention because, it will be disastrous for the masses.”

    While most filling stations have refused to open for business, the few filling stations selling fuel, are dispensing at prices ranging from N350 and N500 respectively.

    Some of the filling stations currently selling include Total, Rain Oil, Dwell Pet, Marc Merg, Matrix, Mobile, North West. 

  • DSS, EFCC disagree over Lagos Office siege

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has condemned the Tuesday siege by the Department of State Services (DSS) on its Lagos office, describing it as shocking.

    The DSS operatives reportedly prevented officials of the anti-graft agency from gaining access to their office in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    This was however denied by the DSS, claiming that the incident never happened.

    The two organisations have shared the office which was the headquarters of the defunct National Security Organisation, the precursor to DSS, for about 20 years.

    There is said to be an ongoing discussion between the two federal agencies over the ownership of the building.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, while condemning the action in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said it had wider implications for the fight against economic and financial crimes.

    Uwujaren said that the EFCC was shocked by the action of the agents of DSS who barricaded the entrance into its Ikoyi’s office with armoured personnel carriers.

    “This development is strange to the commission given that we have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident.

    “By denying operatives access to their offices, the commission’s operations at its largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of exhibits, and many suspects in detention have been disrupted.

    “Cases scheduled for a court hearing today have been aborted, while many suspects who had been invited for questioning are left unattended.

    “Even more alarming is that suspects in detention are left without care with grave implications for their rights as inmates,” he said.

    Uwujaren said that the action was in conflict with the efforts being made to tackle economic and financial crimes.

    “The siege is inconsistent with the synergy expected of agencies working for the same government and nation, especially when there are ongoing discussions on the matter,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Spokesman of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunaya, has denied any rift with the EFCC.

    Afunaya in a statement on the issue, said there was no rivalry between the service and the EFCC over and about anything.

    He enjoined the media not to create any imaginary rivalry, adding that the two organizations were partners working for the good of the nation.

    “It is not correct that the DSS barricaded EFCC from entering its office. No. It is not true.

    “The Service is only occupying its own facility where it is carrying out its official and statutory responsibility.

    “By the way, there is no controversy over No 15A Awolowo Road as being insinuated by the report.

    “Did the EFCC tell you it is contesting the ownership of the building? I will be surprised if it is contesting the ownership,” he said.

    According to him, Awolowo Road was NSO headquarters and the DSS started from there.

  • Man remanded for allegedly defiling 14-year-old girl

    Man remanded for allegedly defiling 14-year-old girl

    A Badagry Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered a 40-year-old man, Adex Opara, who allegedly defiled a 14-year-old girl, to be remanded in a correctional centre pending legal advice.

    The police had on Tuesday charged Opara with defilement, breach of peace and threat to life.

    Opara pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

    The Magistrate, Mr T A Popoola, who did not take Opara’s plea, ordered the police to duplicate the case file and send the same to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, for legal advice.

    Popoola, who frowned at the high rate of rape of minors, adjourned the case until July 31 for hearing.

    Earlier, the prosecuting officer, Inspector Ayodele Adeosun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 21, at about 11.00 a.m., at No. 46, Komata Street, Magbon, Badagry, Lagos.

    Adeosun alleged that Opara was caught red-handed having canal knowledge by penetration with one eight-year-old girl, whom he lured into his room and defiled without her consent.

    The prosecutor said the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by having canal knowledge of the minor.

    The offences, he said, contravened the provisions of Sections 261, 168 and 56 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015. 

  • Russia blames Ukraine for drone attacks on Moscow

    Russia has blamed Ukraine for drone attacks on Moscow, calling it an “act of terrorism.”

    “This morning, the Kiev regime carried out an act of terrorism with unmanned aerial vehicles on objects in the city of Moscow,’’ the Russian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.

    A total of eight drones were used, all of which had since been destroyed, the ministry said.

    Three had been diverted from their original flight path and the remaining five had been shot down by Russian air defences, it added.

    Moscow did not provide any evidence for the accusations against Kiev. There was initially no reaction from Ukraine.

    Earlier, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that his city had been attacked by drones in the early hours of the morning.

    Some residential buildings were slightly damaged and two people were slightly injured, he wrote. 

  • Fuel Subsidy Removal: Queues return to filling stations in Abuja, other cities

    Following the announcement of fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu in his inaugural speech on Monday, fuel queues have returned to filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Ilorin metropolis.

    NIGERIAN ANCHOR observed that since Monday evening, only few stations were selling fuel with long queues.

    On Tuesday morning, long queues were seen at the NNPC filling station along the Kubwa Expressway. Other filling stations like Emadeb along Banex area also had queues while Rano and Shema filling station were not dispensing.

    Many filling stations in the Lugbe area of Abuja sold petrol at prices ranging between N194 and N198. Outside Abuja, residents said fuel stations sold petrol for N230.

    On Tuesday morning, a long queue of motorists was observed at the NNPC filling station along Airport Road, Lugbe, according to reports.

    In Ilorin filling stations were selling at their different rates, but some were shut down.

    Some motorists who spoke to NIGERIAN ANCHOR however said they had envisaged the scarcity of fuel, hence the panic-buying.

    Mr Paul Chinaka said he would not have the time to go round in search of fuel later in the day, so he was ready to join the long queue to buy before mid-morning.

    Another customer, Mr Iliya Badmos, said the stations were out to exploit the customers as they have started hoarding their products.

    ”That is the reason why I decided to refill my tank today, so that I will not suffer searching for fuel around when the filling stations start their artificial scarcity,” he said.

    For another motorist, Emmanuel Gana, the announcement by Tinubu was a good one but he has to put measures in place to make sure that ordinary Nigerians do not feel it too much.

    “This fuel subsidy issue has lingered for too long. If we must speak frankly, what the new President, Bola Tinubu said yesterday is a step in the right direction. His predecessor could not have the balls to remove it so they passed it to him.

    “We all know the scam behind the fuel subsidy imbroglio so ending it is welcome. What I expect the new president to do now is to issue directives on how to cushion the effect his pronouncement will cause. Already, you can see that filling station owners are saboteurs who are out to make their own money.

    “Just like the DSS did last time when they forced filling stations to sell their fuel, the government should do so again and force them to sell because they’re already trying to sabotage and over-heat the polity by hoarding their products,” he said.

    Recall that President Bola Tinubu said on Monday during his inaugural speech, that fuel subsidy favoured only the rich.

    “We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor.

    “Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions,” Tinubu said.