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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said petrol costs more than ,000 per litre in the United Kingdom, claiming that Nigerians are “doing very well” with the current price of the commodity in the country.

Okpebholo stated this on Thursday while speaking at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event in Edo State.

The governor said he visited London the previous week and decided to compare the price of petrol in the United Kingdom with what motorists pay in Nigeria.

“When we complained about cost of petrol, I was in London last week. I told my friend, ‘Let’s go and buy fuel just to know the cost of fuel between Nigeria and England.’

“Let me tell you, after conversion, it’s about 3,000-something for one litre of fuel,” he said.

Okpebholo said the comparison showed that Nigerians were getting petrol at a lower price.

“We are doing very well here. The President is stabilising the economy. He’s an economist,” he said.

His comment comes amid continued concerns over the cost of petrol and other essential commodities following the removal of petrol subsidy and subsequent changes in pump prices.

The governor said the economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government were difficult but would eventually yield results.

“Because what we are seeing in Nigeria today is a reform. And that reform that is ongoing is a very difficult one,” he said.

He likened the economic reforms to an aircraft taking off, saying passengers do not receive food until the plane reaches cruising altitude.

“I make an illustration. When a plane is taking off, do you see them serving food? Do you see air hostesses serving food in the plane? They will never give you food until that seatbelt is released. That means on a cruising level. That is when they will start serving food.

“I want to let you know, very soon Nigeria will be on the cruising level. Nigeria will be on a cruising level,” Okpebholo said.

The governor also pointed to road construction across the country as evidence of ongoing development under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Look at the kind of roads that are being constructed today—concrete pavement all over Nigeria,” he said.

Okpebholo spoke while expressing support for the Federal Government’s intervention on the Benin-Asaba Road, which has suffered deterioration and caused difficulties for motorists using the route.

The event, tagged “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road”, was held in connection with efforts to address the condition of the major highway linking Edo and Delta states.

The governor also used the occasion to endorse Tinubu’s continued presidency, saying those planning to challenge the President in 2027 should reconsider their plans.

“Is Aso Rock vacant? Is Aso Rock vacant? So Aso Rock is not vacant,” Okpebholo said.

He added, “I agree with the Oba of Benin that said, ‘You don’t change a working President.’”

Okpebholo also said the economic reforms would eventually place Nigeria on a “cruising level”, adding that Edo State and the country were in “safe hands”.

He said, “That means even when Asiwaju leaves, whoever President that comes in the future after his… I want to let them know that Edo is in a safe hand. Nigeria is also in a safe hand.”

The governor ended by thanking those who attended the event over their concern for the Benin-Asaba Road.

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The Chairman of the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar Abdullahi, and four other kidnap victims have escaped from terrorists’ captivity and been received by troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

The five victims escaped in the early hours of Thursday in the general area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, the victims escaped during an intelligence-led military operation targeting a suspected terrorists’ location in the area.

Danja said the victims were received by troops deployed in the vicinity after regaining their freedom.

“Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANAN YAMMA, have received and secured the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Abdullahi, and four other kidnap victims who escaped from terrorists’ captivity in the early hours of Thursday in the general area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area,” the statement said.

Abdullahi was abducted from his residence in Bungudu town in July 2026. The Theatre Command had previously issued a statement concerning his abduction.

The military said the victims were provided with security cover and evacuated to a military medical facility after they were rescued.

“They were provided with security cover and evacuated to a military medical facility, where they are responding to treatment and undergoing evaluation and routine debriefing,” Danja said.

The victims are expected to undergo further assessment as part of the military’s routine process following their recovery from captivity.

The Joint Task Force also disclosed that one of the five victims had already been reunited with their family, while arrangements were being made to reunite the remaining victims with their families and the Zamfara State Government.

The Theatre Command commended the victims for their conduct during their captivity and their efforts to regain their freedom.

“The Theatre Command commends the courage, resilience and determination of the victims in regaining their freedom after a prolonged period in captivity,” the statement said.

It also praised the troops involved in receiving and securing the victims following their escape.

The command described the return of the victims as “a welcome relief” to their families, residents of Bungudu Local Government Area and the wider Zamfara State.

“The return of the victims is a welcome relief to their families and the people of Bungudu Local Government Area, and Zamfara State as a whole,” the statement said.

The development comes as security forces continue military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist activities and improving security in parts of Zamfara State and the wider North-West.

The Theatre Command said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA would sustain clearance and dominance operations across the general area to disrupt terrorist activities and protect communities.

“Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA will sustain clearance and dominance operations across the general area to disrupt terrorist activities and protect communities, and remain committed to securing the safe return of any other persons still held or missing,” Danja said.

Earlier in July, SaharaReporters reported that suspected bandits abducted the Chairman of the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Bungudu, after attacking his residence in a late-night raid that left four security personnel dead.

The attack occurred in the Zango area of Bungudu town, less than 20 kilometres from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

According to residents, the gunmen stormed the council chairman’s residence, where they engaged security personnel in a fierce gun battle before abducting the chairman.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the assailants killed two police officers and two vigilantes assigned to protect the chairman’s residence.

“They killed two policemen and two vigilantes, including one volunteer vigilante who had been actively helping to protect the town from bandit attacks,” the source said.

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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and the European Union have renewed efforts to conclude the long-pending EU-Nigeria Re-Admission Agreement as both sides seek to deepen cooperation on migration, legal mobility and security.

The issue featured prominently during a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The  .

In a statement by the Nigerian Foreign Ministry the proposed agreement which was initiated in 2016, was also extensively discussed during the eighth Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue in March 2026.

Brunner stressed the importance of concluding the agreement, saying its finalisation would provide a basis for broader cooperation between Nigeria and the EU on migration.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, however, emphasised that any migration partnership should address Nigeria’s development interests, including support for the reintegration of returnees, infrastructure development and expanded legal pathways for Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.

She also stressed the need for structured and lawful mobility opportunities for Nigeria’s large and youthful population.

The EU delegation indicated that Nigeria’s concerns had been incorporated into a proposed broader migration and security cooperation framework.

The framework is expected to cover strategic dialogue on talent partnerships, legal migration pathways, reintegration of returnees, border management and support from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex.

The proposed cooperation will also explore an arrangement for information exchange with Europol to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat transnational organised crime.

Brunner said the EU was interested in developing legal migration pathways through talent partnerships, which could help address skills shortages in Europe while creating opportunities for Nigerian professionals.

The initiative is also expected to address concerns surrounding brain drain by creating more structured opportunities for Nigerians to work abroad while maintaining links with their home country.

The two sides further discussed cooperation against irregular migration, with Brunner indicating that progress in tackling irregular migration could help create greater opportunities for legal migration.

The European commissioner expressed interest in continuing discussions during a proposed visit to Abuja in November 2026, although the specific date is yet to be agreed by both sides.

The renewed engagement comes as the EU continues work towards formalising the readmission agreement. EU Council documents published in July 2026 also showed proposals for the signing and conclusion of an agreement with Nigeria covering the return and readmission of people who no longer meet the conditions for entry, presence or residence in the territories of either party.

The Nigeria-EU discussions therefore seek to address irregular migration and return while also expanding legal mobility, reintegration assistance, border management, security cooperation and opportunities for Nigerian professionals and young people.