Workers to Begin Nationwide Warning Strike Over Petrol Price, Wage Award

Public servants across the federal, state and local governments are set to begin a three-day warning strike on Friday, October 2, over rising economic hardship, high petrol prices, demand for a wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

The industrial action was declared by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) after the expiration of its September 30 deadline to the Federal Government to address the workers’ demands.

The council said the warning strike will commence at midnight on Friday, October 2, and end on Sunday, October 4, 2026. It has directed its affiliate unions and their structures nationwide to mobilise public servants for the action.

The planned strike followed a September 21 letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which the workers demanded urgent measures to ease the impact of rising living costs.

One of the major demands is a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, to N500 per litre.

The JNPSNC said the government could reduce the price through an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators. It also called for crude oil to be supplied to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on appropriate terms to encourage increased domestic refining and reduce petroleum product prices.

The council said petrol prices ranging from about N1,450 to N2,000 per litre, and reaching as high as N2,500 in some locations, were placing severe financial pressure on workers and their dependants.

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The workers are also demanding an immediate wage award to cushion the effects of rising prices and provide relief to public servants and other vulnerable Nigerians.

Another key demand is the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.

The JNPSNC has called for negotiations around a new minimum wage of not less than N500,000, arguing that starting the process early would prevent administrative or procedural delays in implementing any new agreement.

The council had warned that the strike would follow if the Federal Government failed to address the issues by September 30. It also urged President Tinubu to use his Independence Day address to respond to the concerns raised by the workers.

With the deadline passing, the unions maintained their position and scheduled the industrial action for October 2.

The JNPSNC comprises eight public-sector unions: the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE), Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW), National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW) and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE).

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also backed calls for measures to reduce the pressure of rising living costs, including lower petrol prices, a wage award and early negotiations for a new minimum wage.

The planned action is expected to affect public services at federal, state and local government levels, including ministries, departments and agencies, depending on the level of compliance by workers.

The warning strike comes as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, with organised labour continuing to demand measures it says would provide relief to workers facing increased transportation, food and other household costs.

For clarity, the strike has not begun as of October 1. The JNPSNC has scheduled its commencement for 12:00am on Friday, October 2, 2026.

Workers to Begin Nationwide Warning Strike Over Petrol Price, Wage Award

Nigeria at 66: MURIC Urges Unity, Peace, Justice Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State Chapter, has called on Nigerians to promote unity, peace, justice and responsible citizenship as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

MURIC, in an Independence Day statement signed by its General Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, urged governments at all levels to prioritise the welfare, security and dignity of citizens while encouraging political leaders to treat public office as a trust.

The group said Nigeria’s independence should not be viewed merely as a historical milestone but as a continuing responsibility requiring every generation to protect the country’s unity and sovereignty, promote justice and build a society where citizens can live with dignity and hope.

It also called for greater tolerance and peaceful coexistence, saying Nigeria’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity should be regarded as a strength rather than a source of division.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, MURIC urged political parties, aspirants, candidates and their supporters to demonstrate democratic maturity and conduct their activities within the law.

The group warned against turning elections into periods of hatred, violence, intimidation and destruction, stressing that no political ambition was worth the life of any Nigerian.

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According to MURIC, political differences should not be allowed to destroy relationships among families, neighbours and communities, while disagreements over political choices should be resolved through lawful and constitutional processes.

The organisation also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the media, religious and traditional institutions, as well as civil society organisations, to play their respective roles in protecting the electoral process and encouraging peaceful participation.

MURIC stressed the importance of allowing eligible Nigerians to vote freely and peacefully, saying the ballot must be respected and the outcome of a properly conducted election handled through lawful means.

It urged citizens to reject hate speech, religious incitement, ethnic provocation, fake news and inflammatory propaganda, while encouraging Nigerians to disagree politically without becoming enemies.

Quoting the Qur’an, MURIC said: “O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, or your relatives.”

The group said the principle of justice should guide not only individual conduct but also governance, elections and national affairs.

MURIC further appealed to Nigerians to see the country as a shared national project, regardless of religious affiliation, ethnicity, region, political persuasion or social background.

It called for a Nigeria where justice is not selective, security is not treated as a privilege and citizens can pursue their legitimate aspirations without fear.

The group also urged the government to listen to legitimate concerns raised by citizens and pursue policies capable of improving economic opportunities, security, social justice and national cohesion.

MURIC commended Nigerians for their resilience, hope and continued faith in the country despite the challenges confronting the nation.

The organisation said the responsibility for Nigeria’s future rested not only with government but with every citizen, calling on leaders to govern responsibly, political parties to compete peacefully, security agencies to remain professional and impartial, and citizens to act responsibly.

“Let the electoral process be respected. And let the votes of the people speak,” MURIC said.

The group concluded by praying for continued peace, justice, prosperity and unity in Nigeria and wishing Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary.

Nigeria at 66: MURIC Urges Unity, Peace, Justice Ahead of 2027 Elections

Edo Police Arrest 37-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Rape of 70-Year-Old Woman

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old man over the alleged rape of a 70-year-old woman in Igueben Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect was taken into custody following the allegation and is being investigated as police work to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported sexual assault.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed the arrest during a briefing on the command’s recent operations and security activities across the state.

Ikoedem said the case was being handled as a serious allegation and that investigators would gather the necessary evidence to determine the next legal steps.

The police have not released the identities of the suspect or the alleged victim. Details of the alleged incident, including when it occurred and the circumstances leading to the suspect’s arrest, have also not been fully disclosed.

The suspect remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court.

The case was among several security developments disclosed by the Edo Police Command.

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The command also reported the recovery of a six-month-old baby allegedly stolen and taken to Imo State, with the child subsequently reunited with the family. Police said suspects connected with the incident were arrested.

Seven suspected cult members were also arrested by operatives of the Otuo Division during an intelligence-led operation targeting cult-related activities.

Police further said a joint clearance operation was conducted in parts of Edo North, particularly areas identified as potential hideouts for criminal elements. According to the command, no kidnapping incident was recorded in the affected areas during the period under review.

The command also disclosed arrests linked to an allegation involving the stripping of a young girl and the circulation of material relating to the incident on social media.

The police urged residents to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and protecting vulnerable people.

The investigation into the alleged rape of the 70-year-old woman in Edo is ongoing, with further action expected to depend on the outcome of the police investigation.

Edo Police Arrest 37-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Rape of 70-Year-Old Woman