News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited declared a state of emergency on oil production.

This was a move towards increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production and growing its reserves.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, disclosed this in a keynote address at the opening of the 23rd edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition Week in Abuja, on Tuesday.

“We have decided to stop the debate. We have declared war on the challenges affecting our crude oil production. War means war. We have the right tools. We know what to fight. We know what we have to do at the level of assets. We have engaged our partners. And we will work together to improve the situation,” Kyari stated.

Nigeria’s absurd crude supply crisis and loses N636bn revenue as oil production dips NNPC withdraws suit against ExxonMobil, Seplat $1.28bn deal.

According to him, a detailed analysis of assets revealed that Nigeria could conveniently produce two million barrels of crude oil per day without deploying new rigs.

Still, the major impediment to achieving this is the inability of players to act in a timely manner.

He added that the “war” will help NNPCL and its partners to speedily clear all identified obstacles to effective and efficient production, such as delays in procurement processes, which have become a challenge in the industry.

By Anas Abbas

In a dramatic turnaround, operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have killed two kidnappers and freed four captives, including a Nigerian and three Indian nationals, in a daring operation.

The rescue mission occurred on Sunday night along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode expressway, near Delabo Junction, after a driver was shot and travellers kidnapped by gunmen.

Police Commissioner Abiodun Alamutu briefed reporters at the state headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, saying the anti-kidnapping squad traced the hoodlums to a bush hideout, where a fierce gun battle ensued.

“The suspects engaged our men, but our superior firepower led to the elimination of two kidnappers while others fled with injuries,” Alamutu said.

The police recovered 109 rounds of ammunition, five AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines, and two cell phones from the suspects.

The rescued hostages were reunited with their families, unharmed. The police commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, saying, “We will not tolerate criminality in Ogun State.”

This operation marks a significant victory in the fight against kidnapping and crime in the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Super Eagles coach Finidi George will return to the NPFL with Rivers United.

Reports say Finidi met with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Tuesday to discuss his impending appointment, and he will shortly be presented as the head coach of the Port Harcourt outfit.

Long-serving coach Stanley Eguma was fired during the past season, and Evans Ogenyi led the team for the remainder of the campaign.

Former Ajax winger Finidi led Enyimba to win the NPFL championship the previous season before he was appointed Super Eagles coach in May.

He quit his Super Eagles post after the NFF appointed a foreign coach to be his boss following a 1-1 home draw with South Africa and a shock loss to Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

By Uzair Adam Imam

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ede has convicted and sentenced five men to death by hanging for the kidnap and murder of Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu, a Fulani man.

The convicts, Ibrahim Issa, Lateef Bello, Abdul Ramon Soliu, Bello Ibrahim, and Abudu Mumini Jolaanobi Saheed – were arraigned on four charges, including conspiracy to kidnap and murder.

In her judgement, Justice Kudirat Akano found the convicts guilty on all four counts and sentenced them to death by hanging.

The prosecuting counsel, Faremi Moses, presented evidence that the five men kidnapped Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu on April 17, 2018, around 7:45 pm from his home in Owode-Ede, Ede North Local Government Area, Osun State.

Adamu was abducted in his Toyota Corolla and subsequently killed after his family paid a ransom of N3 million.

Faremi called three witnesses, including the investigating police officer, Mr Ganiyu Taofeek, who submitted several exhibits, such as extrajudicial statements and a mask recovered at the scene.

Counsel to the convicts, Bola Ige, argued that the prosecution failed to prove the accusation beyond a reasonable doubt.

Justice Akano ruled, “The prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the convicts committed the offences. They are hereby sentenced to death by hanging.

“The convicts were led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, sobbing and begging for mercy.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Ibrahim Lawan, the suspended Director of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Yobe’s Nangere Local Government, has confessed to diverting Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) supplements intended to treat severe malnutrition in children.

The PHC board had suspended Lawan indefinitely and established a five-member committee to investigate the matter.

Lawan admitted to tampering with the supplements along with some staff members, acknowledging that his actions were wrong.”I tampered with some of the therapeutic food supplements, but the quantity is not as much as they alleged,” Lawan admitted in an interview.

He added, “However, I take responsibility for all that happened since I was the leader at the time.”

Lawan claimed that the quantity of supplements diverted was not as much as alleged (120 cartons), but took responsibility for the actions.

He appealed for leniency, citing cooperation with the investigation.”I am appealing to the state government to temper justice with mercy since I have cooperated and made the investigation easier for them,” he said.

The RUTF supplements are highly nutritious food packages used to treat severe and acute malnutrition in children.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is a significant public health problem in Nigeria, with approximately 2 million children under the age of five suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The investigation committee will also recommend strategies to ensure accountability in the distribution of medical consumables.

The Yobe state government has named Ibrahim Disa as the acting director of the PHC in Nangere pending the outcome of the investigation.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The abductors of Hajiya Hauwa’u Adamu, mother of famous Hausa musician Dauda Adamu (Rarara), have demanded a ransom of N900m for her release.

The abductors initially demanded N1bn but reduced the amount after a brief discussion with a family member.

According to a source close to the family, the abductors called the family with a phone they stole during the abduction and confirmed that Hajiya is in good condition.

The family is still waiting for the abductors’ call to continue with the negotiation.

The abduction was a well-coordinated operation, with the bandits using a photograph of Hajiya to identify her.

They woke up all the women in the bedroom and compared their faces to the photograph before taking Hajiya away.

The entire village of Kahutu is in shock over the kidnapping, as Hajiya is known for her generosity and kindness to many families in the village.

The family is still waiting for the abductors’ call to continue with the negotiation.

No arrests have been made, and the family is still waiting for the abductors’ next move.

The incident has left the community in shock and fear, with many calling for the safe release of Hajiya.

 By Anwar Usman 

The troops of the Nigerian Army killed a kidnap kingpin and arrested two other notorious terrorists during multiple raids of IPOB hideouts in the state, the army said in a statement on their X account formally known as twitter on Monday. 

One of the operations was conducted at a suspected IPOB hideout in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, a community in Onuimo Local Government Area of the state.

The operation was targeted at the suspected IPOB Bigwig identified as Chinemerem, popularly known as “Bam Bam” in the community. 

“The operation led to the neutralisation of Chinemerem, as he attempted to reach for his weapon and the arrest of several of his accomplices,” the army said on their X handle. 

“A substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN equipment were seized, and the hideout was subsequently destroyed.” 

The statement said the troops subsequently intercepted other suspected IPOB/ESN members at another hideout in Ama Hausa in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state. 

Tyey added that, “Overpowered in the ensuing shootout, the (suspected) terrorists were forced to flee in unruliness, abandoning a collection of ammunition and motorcycles”. 

Seventy-two rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (special), three rounds of 5.56mm, one FN rifle, a pair of military desert boots and one green beret were recovered from the hoodlums, according to the army. 

Though the army did not identify the security operatives who took part in the operations, it said the operations were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies. 

A similar operation was conducted in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, which targeted two other notorious Bigwigs – Izuchukwu Emejuru, otherwise known as “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, also known as ‘’Onyema.” 

During the operation, some valuables reportedly belonging to Ugonna Iriele, the traditional ruler of Ogberuru in the Orlu Council Area, were recovered by the troops. 

Furthermore, “The raid resulted in the arrest of these suspects and the confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a Semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol,” it said. 

IPOB, a group seeking the independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the South-East and some parts of south-south, Nigeria, has been linked to the deadly attacks in the regions.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu of Kano State High Court has, on Tuesday, adjourned until July 4, hearing an application in the ongoing Kano Emirship tussle case. 

The Attorney General of Kano State, Speaker Kano State House of Assembly and Kano State House of Assembly, through their counsel Ibrahim Isah Wangida Esq, filed a motion ex parte dated May 27 seeking an order restraining court the 15th emir, Aminu Ado-Bayero, and four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as traditional rulers. 

The respondents are Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, Bichi Emir; Dr Ibrahim Abubakar ll, Emir of Karaye; Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa, Emir of Rano and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim-Gaya, emir of Gaya. 

Others are the Inspector-General of Police, Director of the State Security Service, Nigeria Security and civil defence and Nigeria army. 

During the hearing on Tuesday on all pending applications, Counsel to the applicants, Mr Eyitayo Fatogun SAN, informed the court that he was served with five processes on July 1, at about 6:30 p. m by the first respondent, adding that the responses have been filed accordingly. 

“We urge the court to give us 30 minutes to stand down to enable us to serve the respondent with our responses.” Counsel to Aminu Ado Bayero, Abdul Muhammed SAN, opposed the 30 minutes stand down and sought for an adjournment to enable him reply and file all their applications. 

The court then adjourned the matter to July 4, for hearing of all pending applications and originating motion. 

The court had on May 27, granted an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th respondents by themselves, servants, privies, from parading themselves as Emirs in the interest of peace in Kano. 

The State House of Assembly on May 23, dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state and Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, reappointed Lamido Sanusi, as the Emir of Kano.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Freeman Charles Ogbonna, a Delhi, India-bound passenger, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug trafficking. 

Ogbonna was arrested on Sunday, March 31, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after ingesting 80 wraps of cocaine. 

He was taken into custody by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the screening point of Terminal 2 of the airport.

Preliminary checks revealed that Ogbonna was using a Liberian international passport named Carr Bismark. 

However, further investigation revealed his real identity as Freeman Charles Ogbonna. He was subsequently placed under observation in NDLEA custody, where he exhibited discomfort.

Ogbonna eventually vomited and excreted the drugs over four days, passing out a total of 80 wraps of cocaine weighing 889 grams through his mouth and anus. 

He claimed that he was recruited into drug trafficking by one of his relatives and was promised N300,000 if he successfully delivered the consignment in India.

The NDLEA arraigned Ogbonna before Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court in Lagos on a charge of committing an offence contrary to section 20(1)(b) and punishable under section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 LFN 2004.

In his judgement, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Ogbonna to 25 years in prison without an option of a fine. 

The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the MMIA Command and the prosecution team for their diligent case handling.

Marwa stated that the judiciary remains a strong pillar in the effort to curb substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria. 

He added that Ogbonna’s conviction would send a strong signal to drug barons and their mules that there would be no hiding place for them.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Tragedy struck in Katsina State as bandits killed Dr. Tiri Gyan David, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA), and abducted his two children. 

The attack occurred at the lecturer’s residence in Yarima Quarters, Low-Cost Estate, Dutsinma Local Government Area, around 1:30 am on Tuesday.

The bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, shot sporadically to scare residents. 

An eyewitness reported that the hoodlums invaded the community, causing chaos and fear.

Dr. David was the Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension, and Rural Development at FUDMA. 

His killing is the latest in a series of bandit attacks in the state, despite efforts to restore peace.

The Katsina Police Command confirmed the incident, promising a detailed statement soon. 

The command’s spokesman, Abubakar Sadiq, acknowledged the attack but did not provide further details.

Dutsinma is one of the ten security frontline local government areas grappling with frequent bandit attacks almost daily, despite efforts by both the state government and security agencies to restore peace in the state.

The incident has sparked outrage and concern among residents, with many calling for increased security measures to protect lives and properties.