ADC Urges FG to Cap Petrol Prices as Global Oil Market Volatility Bites

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to introduce a temporary and time-bound cap on petrol prices to prevent further increases that could worsen the cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the recent hikes in petrol prices in Nigeria reflect rising volatility in the global oil market, largely driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East.

“The African Democratic Congress calls on the Federal Government to immediately introduce a temporary and time-bound cap on petrol prices to prevent further increases that continue to push the cost of living beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.

He noted that the ongoing Middle East crisis has triggered instability in global energy markets, which is now affecting domestic fuel prices and worsening economic hardship for Nigerians.

According to the opposition party, external shocks should not be used to justify allowing fuel prices to rise unchecked, particularly in what it described as a fragile economy still grappling with the consequences of subsidy removal.

ADC said the current situation has deepened the economic pressure on households following the fuel subsidy removal announced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

Nigeria eventually exited under-recovery payments when the government fully deregulated the downstream petroleum sector in October 2024, allowing market forces to determine petrol pricing.

The party argued that the government must take urgent steps to protect citizens from further shocks, warning that rising fuel costs are already affecting transportation, food prices and the overall cost of doing business.

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The call comes as the Middle East conflict continues to create unprecedented volatility in global energy markets. International crude oil prices briefly crossed $100 per barrel on Monday, the highest level since July 2022, before easing to around $87 per barrel on Tuesday.

Iran has also warned that global oil prices could surge further, even threatening that crude prices may climb toward $200 per barrel if tensions escalate and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes — is disrupted.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway through which roughly 20 percent of global oil shipments pass daily, linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

In Nigeria, the surge in crude oil prices has pushed up ex-gantry petrol prices and retail pump prices across filling stations nationwide.

Transport operators have already begun increasing fares on major routes in cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Kano, with commuters reporting that fares have doubled on some routes.

Meanwhile, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Tuesday announced a reduction in its ex-gantry petrol price to ₦1,075 per litre after implementing three previous increases amid global market pressures.

Despite the reduction at the refinery level, pump prices at retail filling stations remain elevated, reflecting the broader impact of global oil market fluctuations and distribution costs.

ADC warned that unless urgent intervention measures are introduced, rising petrol prices and transport costs could accelerate inflation and worsen the economic burden on millions of Nigerians already facing high food and energy costs.

The party urged the Federal Government to adopt immediate measures to stabilise the domestic fuel market while also pursuing long-term reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security and refining capacity.

ADC Urges FG to Cap Petrol Prices as Global Oil Market Volatility Bites

Ikeja Electric Apologises to Customers Over Power Disruptions

Lagos, Nigeria — Nigeria’s leading electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric, has apologised to customers within its network over the persistent power supply disruptions currently affecting many communities.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the company attributed the outages to gas supply constraints impacting electricity generation across the national power grid.

The notice explained that the gas shortage has resulted in a significant energy deficit on the grid, forcing distribution companies to implement increased load shedding across their feeders.

“We sincerely apologize for the ongoing power supply disruptions you are experiencing,” the company said in the statement addressed to customers.

According to the distribution company, the situation is beyond its immediate control as it stems from challenges affecting power generation nationwide. The firm added that it remains in continuous communication with relevant stakeholders in the power sector to resolve the issue and restore normal electricity generation levels.

The company assured customers that efforts are ongoing to stabilize the grid and improve supply as soon as the gas supply situation improves.

Ikeja Electric also appealed for patience and understanding from customers during what it described as a challenging period for the nation’s electricity supply chain.

“We truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging period,” the management stated in the notice dated March 11, 2026.

Electricity consumers in Lagos and other areas served by Ikeja Electric have in recent days complained about prolonged blackouts and erratic supply, raising concerns about the stability of power distribution in the region.

Nigeria’s electricity sector has frequently faced generation challenges linked to gas shortages, infrastructure limitations, and grid instability, which often lead to widespread load shedding by distribution companies.

The latest development is expected to further intensify concerns among households and businesses already struggling with high energy costs and unreliable power supply.

Ikeja Electric Apologises to Customers Over Power Disruptions

Terrorists Suffer Heavier Losses as Troops Intensify Operations Across Nigeria — Defence Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), on Wednesday said terrorists and bandits operating across the country are suffering heavier losses than government troops as the Nigerian Armed Forces intensify military operations across several conflict zones.

The defence minister gave the assurance after a strategy meeting with service chiefs in Abuja, noting that the meeting reviewed the country’s counter-terrorism strategy across different operational theatres. According to him, the Armed Forces remain fully committed to restoring peace and security nationwide despite recent attacks on military formations in parts of the country.

“We had a quick, short meeting with members of the services to review our strategy in all our theatres within the country. We’re all aware of the issues on the ground, but I want to assure Nigerians that members of the armed forces are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure,” Musa said.

The minister acknowledged that the military had suffered casualties in some engagements but insisted that terrorist groups and bandits were recording heavier losses as troops intensify their operations. According to him, the Nigerian military is focusing on eliminating terrorist commanders, destroying their logistics networks, and dismantling operational bases across the country.

“We are aware that we have suffered some casualties, but I can tell you the terrorists and bandits are taking more. We’re taking more commanders out, we’re taking more of their assets out, and we will continue to do that,” he stated.

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Musa also warned that misinformation circulating on social media could undermine the morale of troops and distort public understanding of the security situation. He urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by unverified narratives about the war against terrorism, insisting that the Armed Forces remain firmly in control of ongoing operations.

“We know because of the issue of social media, there are a lot of falsehoods being spread. The Armed Forces are on top of their game and we are putting in every effort to ensure the country is secured,” he said.

The defence minister further appealed to media organisations to exercise caution in reporting security matters, particularly by avoiding the dissemination of terrorist propaganda materials, which he said are often used to promote extremist groups and demoralise security forces.

“Please do not allow your platforms to be used to spread terrorism. When you circulate their videos and messages, you allow them to shine and use them as propaganda against our troops,” he added.

Musa stressed that tackling insecurity in Nigeria requires a collective effort, urging citizens to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence and reporting suspicious activities in their communities.

“This challenge is a Nigerian challenge; it is not only the armed forces’ challenge. Other security agencies are also working in synergy with us,” he said.

He warned individuals who provide information, logistics or any form of assistance to terrorists that they would be treated as accomplices and face the same consequences as the criminals.

“A friend of a thief is always a thief. Those supporting these criminals with information or logistics will be dealt with the same way we deal with the terrorists,” Musa stated.

The minister also congratulated the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, assuring him of the Armed Forces’ readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to combat insecurity across the country.

He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and state governors for their continued support to the military, expressing confidence that Nigeria would ultimately overcome its security challenges.

“We want to assure Nigerians that they should remain confident and determined. When you see something going wrong, do not hesitate to report it. Action will be taken as quickly as possible,” he added.

The minister’s remarks come amid renewed attacks by insurgent groups linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in Borno State and surrounding areas.

In recent weeks, terrorists have launched coordinated assaults on several military bases, leading to the deaths of soldiers and commanding officers who paid the supreme price while confronting the attackers.

In one such incident in Katsina State, Captain Paul Hassan and two other soldiers were reportedly killed during an attack by terrorists.

Earlier, on March 3, fighters linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP invaded the resettled community of Ngoshe shortly after residents broke their fast during Ramadan. The insurgents reportedly overwhelmed the military formation with superior firepower, including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft machine guns and drones.

Security sources said the assault left at least 14 soldiers dead across the Ngoshe and Pulka military bases—nine in Ngoshe and five in Pulka, including a commanding officer.

Despite the attacks, military authorities say counter-terrorism operations have been intensified through coordinated air and ground offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds and restoring stability in affected regions.

Terrorists Suffer Heavier Losses as Troops Intensify Operations Across Nigeria — Defence Minister