Nigerians to pay more for bread over Russia-Ukraine war – Newstrends
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Nigerians to pay more for bread over Russia-Ukraine war

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The price of bread is set to rise if the current Russian-Ukrainian war persists.

Russia is the world’s largest exporter of wheat, accounting for more than 18 per cent of international exports.

The downside to the war is that if supply from Russia is distorted for whatever reason, Nigeria could be faced with further surging wheat prices in its local market as a result of the supply gap, which could lead to an increase in the price of some other by-products of wheat, such as bread, wheat meal amongst others.

The price of bread was increased by more than 80 per cent between 2020 and 2021.

In 2020, the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) had hinted at a 50 per cent increase in the price of bread citing the surging cost of raw materials and COVID-19 impact.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), wheat is the third most widely consumed grain in the country, with its local production only accounting for just one per cent of the five to six million metric tons consumed annually, with the country relying on importation to meet local demands.

The demand-supply gap has necessitated the spending of over $2 billion on wheat importation annually, representing the second-highest contributor to the country’s food import bill.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Nigeria imported goods valued at N813.19 billion (over $2bn annually) between January and September 2021, representing 3.7% of Nigeria’s total import in the same period.

A further look at the data shows that Nigeria imported durum wheat worth over N128.1 billion in the nine-month period of 2021, while it recorded a N144.14 billion durum wheat import in the previous year.

Also, Nigeria imports different types of seafood from Russia, some of which include mackerel, meat, herrings, blue whiting, other fish, all in frozen form.

It is also worth noting that Nigeria imported vaccines for human medicine from Russia in Q4 2020.

In 2019, Russia and Ukraine together exported more than a quarter (25.4 per cent) of the world’s wheat, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).

In the event of outright aggression, the flow of wheat and grain could be disrupted. Economic sanctions or military action could have a significant effect on the cost of food as importers seek to find alternatives.

Ukraine is the fifth largest exporter of wheat, accounting for seven per cent of sales globally in 2019.

Daily Trust reported President of Association of Master Bakers & Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Mansur Umar, as saying the current situation will definitely lead to an increase in the prices of flour.

He said, “Flour millers are happy to hear of things like this because they will capitalise on it to increase prices by hoarding the product to induce artificial scarcity.

“We are in trouble. I wish we were ready with the cassava flour at least, we can substitute with up to 10 per cent and that will save this country billions of naira.

“As we speak, a major distributor of one of the brands has announced a N100 increase from Monday.”

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In fresh attack, bandits invade two Zamfara communities, kill three, abduct many

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In fresh attack, bandits invade two Zamfara communities, kill three, abduct many

Bandits have attacked two communities, Dauran and Zurmi in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing three persons and abducting an unconfirmed number of people.

The attack reportedly occurred on Wednesday night along with the razing down of the MTN service mast in the town, shutting down the network service in the area.

Channels TV quoted spokesperson for Zamfara State Police Command Yazid Abubakar as confirming the attack on Thursday.

He said three persons were killed in the attack but added that only one person was abducted.

“Yes, there was an attack in Zurmi town yesterday night and our men fought gallantly to repel that attack but unfortunately, three persons were killed and one person kidnapped,” he said.

“The MTN network operating in the town was also set ablaze during the attack.”

 

A resident of the town Nasiru Zurmi said the bandits invaded the town around 9pm after kidnapping five people in Dauran town.

According to him, three persons were killed in Zurmi town while a yet-unknown number of persons were abducted at the Emir’s Palace.

He said, “The bandits entered the town with sophisticated weapons around 9pm. They killed three persons and kidnapped three persons at the Emir’s Palace. The bandits also attacked Dauran and kidnapped five people there.”

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119 inmates escape Suleja prison after stormy rain

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119 inmates escape Suleja prison after stormy rain

No fewer than 119 inmates yesterday escaped from the the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, following the heavy downpour that destroyed the facility.

According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Command, Adamu Duza, at least 10 of the escapees have been recaptured and taken into custody following the the immediate activation of recapturing mechanism in collaboration with sister security agencies.

“A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on yesterday night has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of one hundred and eighteen (119) inmates of the facility.

“The Service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies have so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot chase to recapture the rest.”

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Dazu said that the heavy rainfall that wreaked havoc on the custodial facility which was constructed during the colonial era, lasted over several hours, forcing it to give way for the inmates to escape.

“The Service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era, and that they are old and weak.

“The Service is making frantic efforts to see that all ageing facilities give way for modern ones. This is evidenced in the ongoing construction of six (6) number of 3000-capacity ultra-modern custodial centres in all the geo-political zones in Nigeria as well as the ongoing reconstruction and renovation of existing ones.

“The Service wishes to assure the public that it is on top of the situation and that they should go about their businesses without fear or hindrance. The public is further enjoined to look out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency.” The statement reads in parts

119 inmates escape Suleja prison after stormy rain

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No robbery incident in Abuja, police reacting to viral video

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FCT Police Command Spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine

No robbery incident in Abuja, police reacting to viral video

The FCT police command has said the video clip circulating online depicting a robbery incident, which purportedly occurred in Abuja, involving a “Right Hand Drive” vehicle, “did not take place within the territory”.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said that upon analysis of the viral video, it was evidently clear that the robbery incident did not even occur in Nigeria.

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According to her, the conclusion was drawn from the vehicle registration number plate design and the steering position of the vehicle, which is Right Hand Drive, RHD.

“It is important to note that Nigeria does not allow RHD vehicles on its roads, neither are the roads fashioned to accommodate such cars as seen in the video.

“The Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, psc, mni, urges those circulating the video to desist from such actions as it may cause apprehension and unwarranted panic among the populace”, the statement added.

No robbery incident in Abuja, police reacting to viral video

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