By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Fear of fuel scarcity in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria as tanker drivers have stopped fuel loading over alleged harassment by officials of the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

Also, telecommunications companies have raised concerns over a possible network blackout as the strike by petroleum tanker drivers could disrupt diesel supply, threatening the operations of mobile and internet services.

It was gathered that the truck drivers could not load fuel on Saturday and Sunday, creating fears of scarcity in Lagos and other states.

However, the Lagos State Government said it was only enforcing its e-call-up system, warning that attempts to blackmail the state government would not work.

The e-call-up system is a digital platform that manages the movement of trucks in the Lekki-Epe corridor of Lagos. The system was launched in September 2024 to help reduce traffic congestion

In an interview with one of our correspondents, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, Yusuf Othman, said members of his association were often beaten and harassed by government officials for no known reason.

According to him, trucks were being seized and damaged by the government officials, adding that he would not know if there would be fuel loading on Monday (today).

“The problem we have now is that the tax force in Lagos State has towed our trucks and they are beating our drivers, They damaged the vehicle of the union. So, because of that, there was no loading yesterday (Saturday and there is no loading today (Sunday). I don’t know whether there will be any form of loading tomorrow in Lagos environment. The union and the tax force are disturbing us,” Othman stated.

Asked if this would not lead to fuel scarcity, he replied, “Well, I wouldn’t know, but I know there was no loading yesterday, there is no loading today, and there may not be tomorrow. And all is because of this Lagos tax force.

“They are busy collecting our vehicles, giving fines and whatever. I don’t know how they will operate without fuel trucks. There is no refinery or depot in any place that can operate without a vehicle that will come and take products from them. So, they have to find a way of ensuring that we all co-exist peacefully,” he stated.

The NARTO president said this does not relate to the ban on 60,000 trucks.

“It’s entirely a different thing. It’s a tax force from the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Transport,” he disclosed

The Edo Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) has warned against the activities of land grabbers and encroachers in the Auchi area, saying there will be consequences over such illegal activities.

In a video also, the government agency captured areas demarcated as government acquired lands.

The agency last week mounted signposts indicating the perimeter of the government acquisition in old and new GRA against the backdrop of repeated encroachment into the area by unknown members of the community in Auchi.

In all, there were signposts indicating “Edo State Government Land, Keep off, No Trespass” placed at very strategic locations around the perimeter of the Government Acquisition.

The exercise also marks the 2nd phase of the Action Plan put together by Edo state government to forestall further encroachment.

The first phase involved a Stakeholders meeting with the leaders of Auchi Community and the traditional rulers with government officials.

The entire area measuring 400 Hectares which remains under Government Acquisition.

According to the Edo State Land Administration and GIS Law 2024, section 49 (10), any person who trespasses, sells, trades, develops or by any means disposes of any land duly acquired by the Government to a third party without due authourization from the relevant Government Authourity, commits an offence and shall be prosecuted according to law and or face outright demolition of such properties if any.

According to a statement by the media officer of Edo GIS, Muyiwa Akinsanya, the government will soon begin profiling of such illegal structures on government Acquisition on lands in Auchi and other parts of the state.

He warned the general public from acquiring properties from land grabbers, saying the law would someday take its proper course as ignorance was no excuse under the law.

Watch video below:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGctlgdKo6J/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

See photos below:

The Defence Headquarters has remained silent following the return of terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, which has sparked panic among residents of Sokoto State.

In separate operations conducted in January 2025, the military announced the killing of Aminu Kanawa, the second-in-command to Turji, along with 31 other fighters and Turji’s son.

The DHQ also reported that troops inflicted serious injuries on some of Turji’s close allies, including his younger brother.

The military stated that Turji fled during one of the operations, calling him a coward for abandoning his son and fighters during the gun battle.

However, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni Local Government, Aminu Boza, told journalists last week that Turji had resurfaced in Sokoto State and imposed a N25m levy on villages.

He also revealed that Turji had set up camp in a forest in the Isa Local Government Area.

“Bello Turji is currently in the Isa and Sabon Birni axis of Sokoto. He has even imposed a N25m levy per village in some communities,” Boza said, adding that Turji had been collecting taxes from the local population.

Turji’s re-emergence has heightened fears among residents who have long suffered from the activities of bandits in Sokoto and neighboring areas.

Efforts to reach the Director of Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, for comments on what the military is doing to allay residents’ fears proved abortive.

Calls and messages to his line from last Thursday through Sunday had yet to be answered at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to tackling insecurity in the state.

Speaking on Saturday at a security summit organised by the Movement for Social Justice in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government, Aliyu emphasised the need for accountability and transparency in security management.

He acknowledged the widespread security challenges facing Nigeria, which have significantly hindered the country’s economic, political, and social development.

According to him, every region in the country faces distinct security threats, with Sokoto and other North-West states grappling with banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling—especially in the eastern part of the state.

Governor Aliyu stated that upon assuming office, his administration swiftly implemented decisive measures to improve security through collaboration with conventional security agencies.

“Before we came into office, several communities were under the control of bandits, who dictated the terms of daily life to residents,” he said.

To address the situation, the governor outlined several proactive steps taken by his administration, which includes, “restoring security allowances previously owed to security personnel and procuring and distributing over 140 Buffalo and Hilux vans to security agencies for enhanced surveillance.”

“Providing motorcycles to the Department of State Services to improve intelligence gathering, sharing, and surveillance as well as upgrading DSS tracking equipment from 2G and 3G to 5G technology.”

Furthermore, Governor Aliyu highlighted the establishment of the Sokoto State Security Guard Corps to complement conventional security forces.

The corps, he said, had been equipped with Hilux vans, 700 motorcycles, and fully operational offices in the 13 local governments most affected by insecurity.

Additionally, the government has facilitated the full operationalisation of the Sokoto State Air Force Base by providing essential facilities, including hangars and other logistical support, to strengthen aerial surveillance and neutralise bandit hideouts.

Governor Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promptly addressing the needs of security agencies, emphasising that these efforts had led to a noticeable reduction in banditry.

He noted that security forces have successfully repelled several attacks, demonstrating the effectiveness of the measures put in place.

“Our administration is fully committed to ensuring the safety of Sokoto State. We are prepared to spend every last kobo in the state’s account to protect our people,” he declared.

Credit: PUNCH