News
Bandits abduct 26 in Kaduna, 246 Borno terrorists surrender
Gunmen have abducted about 26 people along the Kaduna-Kachia road and Kugo village, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
While 21 of the victims were reportedly kidnapped along the Kaduna-Kachia road, five women were abducted at Kugo village, near Godani Railway Station on their way to the farm.
However, in Borno State, about 246 suspected Boko Haram members, reportedly, laid down their arms and surrendered as part of the current efforts at ceasefire.
The counsellor representing Zonkwa ward in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of the state, Luka Bako, was among those abducted along the Kaduna-Kachia road, but he miraculously escaped.
Bako told THISDAY that he was travelling from Zonkwa to Kaduna in a Sharon commercial bus when the bandits struck.
He said the incident occurred on Friday around 5pm after Doka village, Kajuru Local Government Area.
He said, “We were travelling in a Sharon commercial bus from Zonkwa to Kaduna. We were eight in the bus. As we approached the mango plantation after Doka, we saw two people in military camouflage carrying AK47 riffles standing on the road.
“Initially, we thought they were soldiers, but when we got closer, we realised that their dressing was not complete. But it was too late for us to turn back.
“They stopped us and asked us where we were coming from and where we were going. They asked the driver to open the booth of the vehicle. As the driver went to open the booth, they ordered the eight of us in the bus to come down.
“Four other vehicles carrying passengers were also stopped. They ordered everybody into the bush. As we entered the bush, other bandits came out from their hideouts to guide us into the bush. A driver that carried passengers from Jos and I miraculously escaped.”
Bako said based on his calculation, 21 people might have been abducted.
“I am not certain,” he stated. “They could be more or less. But based on my calculation, 21 people were abducted.”
He said he had since reported the incident to the Kajuru Divisional Police Station.
At Kugo village, five women were also abducted on their way to the farm on Friday. A resident of the village said that the women were going to harvest yam.
When contacted, spokesman for the Kaduna State police command, Mohammed Jalige, said he was not aware of the incident along the Kaduna-Kachia road, but promised to do his findings and get back.
At the time of filing this report, he was yet to respond.
Meanwhile, security agencies have captured three suspected bandits and rescued two kidnap victims. This was disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.
He said, “Troops under the auspices of Operation Thunder Strike rescued two kidnapped women, close to Gadanin Gwari, Gwagwada District of Chikun Local Government Area.”
Aruwan said operational feedback to the state government indicated “the women were suddenly abducted as they made their way to their farm.”
He said, “The troops on patrol tracked down the criminals and engaged them in a firefight, forcing them to abandon their captives and run for their lives. After securing the women, the troops pursued the bandits, destroying many bandit camps along the way.”
The statement said the bandits were eventually trapped in Gajina settlement in Chikun Local Government Area, adding that three suspected “kidnappers were apprehended and are now in custody, while the rescued women have returned to their homes.”
The statement also explained that police personnel rescued two persons, who were abducted at Kurmin Idon axis along Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kajuru Local Government Area.
In Borno, one of the leaders of the Civilian JTF, a security support group, Baba Shehu Abdul-Gani, who spoke to THISDAY, confirmed that the 246 militants surrendered at different towns in the state.
He said they surrendered to both the Army and members of his group.
“Two days ago, 100 members of Boko Haram surrendered in Bama, another 100 in Gwoza and 46 in Ngala” Abdul-Gani said, noting that all the 246 have been handed to the Army.
On the Chibok girls, who were said to have escaped from captivity after they were kidnapped, Abdul-Gani said he did not have any information to that effect.
General Officer Commanding, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Brig. Gen. Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim, said some insurgents and their wives had equally surrendered to them.
He said, “As GOC of 7 Division, I have no information of any escaped Chibok girls and I should know if any. But we are still pressing on, they will come out. However, some Boko Haram criminals and their wives are surrendering.”
When contacted about the case of the reported fresh escape at Chibok, the spokesman for Borno State Governor (Prof. Babagana Zulum, said there was “no official information yet from our end.”
He noted, “The military normally handles Chibok girls issue. They present them to the presidency.”
News
Obasanjo Backs Higher Oil Derivation, Says 13% Is Only the Beginning
Obasanjo Backs Higher Oil Derivation, Says 13% Is Only the Beginning
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has backed calls for an increase in the 13 per cent oil derivation fund allocated to oil-producing states, saying the existing arrangement should be regarded as a starting point rather than a final settlement.
Obasanjo made the position known on Monday during the inauguration of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) of the $1 billion Azikel Refinery at Obunagha in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Addressing Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, the former president acknowledged that oil-producing states and communities had yet to receive what he considered a fair share of the benefits from the exploitation of their natural resources.
“You are right that the states and oil-producing communities have not got a fair deal so far. Thirteen per cent is the beginning. You can continue to talk,” Obasanjo said.
His remarks reinforced renewed demands for a review of Nigeria’s revenue-sharing arrangement, particularly from the Niger Delta, where crude oil production has remained central to the national economy.
Under the existing constitutional framework, oil-producing states receive at least 13 per cent of revenue accruing to the Federation Account directly from natural resources, in line with the principle of derivation.
However, the allocation has remained a source of debate, with stakeholders in the oil-producing region arguing that the revenue does not adequately address the environmental damage, infrastructure challenges and economic difficulties associated with petroleum exploration.
Diri also criticised the existing arrangement, insisting that communities where crude oil is extracted should have a greater say in how the resources are managed and how the resulting wealth is distributed.
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The governor argued that the region had endured years of agitation over what residents perceive as an imbalance between the resources extracted from their communities and the benefits they receive.
He also faulted the Land Use Act, arguing that the distinction between state control of surface resources and Federal Government control of resources beneath the ground places oil-producing communities at a disadvantage.
Diri maintained that the Niger Delta was not demanding exclusive ownership of the proceeds from petroleum production but wanted to become a more active participant in decisions affecting the industry.
“We do not want to take all to ourselves. We just want to be co-players in determining how it is done. Thirteen per cent is not enough for the states,” he said.
The governor urged young people in Bayelsa to acquire relevant technical and professional skills to benefit from industrial investments, including the refinery project.
He warned that the presence of major oil and gas facilities would have limited benefits for local communities if residents lacked the expertise needed to secure employment and participate in their operations.
The refinery project, owned by Azikel Petroleum under the Azikel Group, is expected by its promoters to produce about 2.5 million litres of petrol and two million litres of diesel daily, alongside other petroleum products, when completed.
The installation of the crude distillation unit marks a significant stage in the development of the facility, whose foundation was laid by Obasanjo about eight years ago.
The former president commended Azikel Group President, Azibapu Eruani, for sustaining the project and urged him to complete the refinery within the next 12 months.
Obasanjo also acknowledged the contributions of the African Finance Corporation and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), calling for continued support to bring the investment to completion.
He praised Diri for supporting the project and commended the Bayelsa government for what he described as the productive use of the state’s available revenue.
Eruani said the refinery was conceived to position Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta as active participants in the petroleum industry rather than merely suppliers of crude oil.
He expressed confidence that the project would support industrialisation, create economic opportunities and strengthen local participation in the oil and gas value chain.
The refinery initiative comes amid continuing debates over resource control, revenue allocation and development in the Niger Delta, with calls for oil-producing communities to receive greater economic benefits from the natural resources extracted from their territories.
Obasanjo Backs Higher Oil Derivation, Says 13% Is Only the Beginning
News
FG Approves Upward Review of Feeding Allowance for NYSC Members
FG Approves Upward Review of Feeding Allowance for NYSC Members
Abuja — The Federal Government has approved an increase in the feeding allowance for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) during their orientation course, with implementation scheduled to commence in 2027.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this while addressing the 2026 Batch C Stream One corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Obubra, Cross River State.
According to the DG, the Budget Office has already been formally notified of the upward review of the allowance. However, the specific monetary value of the increment was not disclosed during the announcement.
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The approval comes amid persistent calls for improved welfare for corps members, particularly regarding the feeding and general upkeep provided during the mandatory three-week orientation exercise.
Beyond the financial announcement, Brigadier General Nafiu used the platform to counsel the corps members on financial responsibility. He advised them to spend wisely and cultivate a strong savings habit, stressing the importance of prudent resource management during their service year and beyond.
The DG’s visit to the Obubra camp was part of a broader tour to assess the welfare and conditions of corps members currently undergoing orientation across the country.
While the 2027 implementation timeline suggests a waiting period for the current batch, the approval signals the government’s intent to adjust the allowances in line with current economic realities. Further details regarding the exact amount and the modalities for the disbursement are expected to be communicated by the NYSC Directorate in due course.
FG Approves Upward Review of Feeding Allowance for NYSC Members
News
Fuel Subsidy May Ease Hardship Today, But Could Cripple Nigeria’s Economy Tomorrow — FG
The Federal Government has warned that restoring petrol subsidy could provide temporary relief to Nigerians but expose the country to severe fiscal pressure in the long run, as rising fuel prices continue to deepen the cost-of-living crisis.
Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele has estimated that a return to petrol subsidy could cost Nigeria more than ₦20 trillion annually, arguing that the financial burden could undermine government spending on infrastructure, healthcare, education and other essential services.
The warning comes amid growing public concern over the impact of rising petrol prices, transportation fares, food costs and business operating expenses on households and enterprises across the country.
For millions of Nigerians, cheaper petrol could offer immediate relief by reducing transportation and distribution costs. However, the government maintains that a blanket subsidy would place enormous pressure on public finances and could weaken the gains expected from the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023.
Oyedele said the scale of Nigeria’s petrol consumption makes a return to the policy particularly expensive. He has argued that subsidising petrol would divert substantial public resources from other priorities and potentially increase borrowing requirements.
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The government’s position is that the resources saved through fuel subsidy removal can be redirected towards infrastructure, social services and development programmes. However, the immediate benefits of those savings remain a major concern for citizens facing higher daily expenses.
The debate has intensified as the government explores alternative measures to cushion the effects of rising fuel prices without restoring a nationwide subsidy.
One of the proposed interventions is a temporary petrol discount at NNPC retail outlets, intended to provide short-term relief to motorists and other consumers. The government has maintained that the arrangement is different from a blanket subsidy because it involves a reduction in the company’s retail profit margin rather than direct government payments.
Other measures announced or proposed by the government include support for vulnerable households, wider adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG), and interventions aimed at moderating fuel costs and easing pressure on businesses.
However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on how widely the benefits reach consumers and whether any reduction in petrol prices translates into lower transport fares and the cost of goods and services.
Critics of the current approach argue that the hardship facing households requires more immediate and measurable relief. They contend that increased government revenue from subsidy removal must translate into visible improvements in living standards, public services and economic opportunities.
The policy debate therefore centres on how to balance immediate relief with long-term economic stability. While subsidised petrol could reduce the price paid at filling stations, the ultimate cost to the country would depend on the subsidy rate, consumption levels, funding arrangements and wider economic effects.
For Nigeria, the challenge is to protect households and businesses from the effects of rising energy costs without placing an unsustainable burden on public finances.
Targeted assistance, better public transportation, investment in domestic energy supply and transparent deployment of public revenue could help cushion the impact of high fuel prices while limiting the risks associated with a universal subsidy.
Ultimately, the question is not simply whether cheaper petrol would ease hardship today, but whether the country can provide meaningful relief without creating financial pressures that could worsen economic conditions tomorrow.
Fuel Subsidy May Ease Hardship Today, But Could Cripple Nigeria’s Economy Tomorrow — FG
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