News
Fear of protest:Fuel scarcity looming in FCT as fuel stations shut down operations
Mohammed Shuaibu, Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, noted that some stations might be closed due to product unavailability.
Amid growing concerns over a planned nationwide protest, oil marketers in Abuja and neighbouring states of Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi states shut down their filling stations on Friday.
Retail outlets, including those operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Kubwa, Salbas Oil, Eterna, and Gegu Oil, stopped dispensing fuel along the Kubwa-Zuba expressway.
According to PUNCH, similar scenes unfolded inside Abuja and parts of Niger and Nasarawa states, causing significant disruption.
Oil marketers confirmed that filling stations in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, were also closed.
This development led to the reappearance of fuel queues at outlets like AYM Shafa in Dei-Dei and NNPC in Zuba, Niger State.
In Lagos, several filling stations were shut down, creating fears of an impending fuel scarcity. Observations by correspondents indicated that most stations were not dispensing fuel, while the few operational ones sold at N800 per liter.
Some marketers attributed the closures to fuel unavailability, while others blamed the apprehension over the planned protest.
In Ogun State, the situation reached a crisis point as long queues formed at filling stations. In Magboro and Ibafo areas along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, and buses, lined up chaotically for fuel.
At Quest Filling Station in Magboro, motorists struggled in a queue over a hundred meters long, with only one of three petrol pumps operational.
Saheed, a commercial bus driver heading to Ibadan, expressed frustration after spending over an hour in line. “I didn’t expect such a long queue,” he lamented. “My passengers are complaining, but there’s nothing I can do.” At NIPCO Filling Station in Magboro, diesel was priced at N1,200 per liter, while petrol cost N675 per liter, with four out of five petrol pumps operational.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri called for calm and urged Nigerians to avoid participating in the proposed protest.
Mohammed Shuaibu, Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, noted that some stations might be closed due to product unavailability.
He emphasized that the fear of the protest led many marketers to take preventive measures, causing fuel queues as fewer stations remained operational.
Lokpobiri, in a statement issued by his media aide Nneamaka Okafor, urged Nigerians to shelve the planned protest.
He highlighted the need for unity and patience as the government works to address the country’s issues. Lokpobiri stressed the importance of constructive engagement and warned against those who might exploit the protest for malicious purposes.
In Kwara State, no fuel queues were reported, with petrol sold between N600 and N800 per liter. Various filling stations in Ilorin, the state capital, sold fuel at varying prices, indicating no immediate shortage.
…call for stronger global cooperation against terrorism
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam area of India.
In a official statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government expressed deep sadness over the attack, which reportedly targeted mostly tourists and left several others wounded.
The statement reads in part: “Nigeria, having faced similar challenges, understands the devastating impact of such acts of violence and reiterates its call for enhanced global cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism”.
The government described terrorism as a “global menace” that must be addressed through collective international effort.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of India as they recover from this tragedy, and we stand united in the shared pursuit of peace, stability, and justice worldwide,” the statement added.
News
Ex-DIG,Olofu debunks online newspaper report, says ” I retired from NPF meritously after 35yrs service
Ex-Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Rhoda Adetutu Olofu has denied an online newspaper report declaring that the information published are mere fabrications.
The former DIG, in a statement she personally signed noted that:
“My attention has just been drawn to a publication dated April 26, 2025, by an online publication, *Sahara Reporters.*
“The said report purports than I was “discharged” from the police “over allegations of age falsification and violation of service rules.”
“A number of my colleagues who equally retired from the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF), were also listed in the same report. Nothing can be farther from the truth than this baseless concoction which attempts to stand gospel truth and reality on its head.
“To put things in correct perspective, I joined the Nigeria Police on March 3, 1990. I was barely 25 years of age at the time. I had indeed graduated with honours from the University of Ilorin in 1986, just about the time of my 21st birthday. I trained at the prestigious Police academy Kaduna.
“I served the Nigeria police force in various capacities. Notably: Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Establishment, Office of the Force Secretary; Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP), Investment, Logistics and Supply Department as well as DCP, Administration, Training and Development.
” Similarly, I was DCP, Research and Planning; Commissioner of Police, (CP), Servicom, Research and Planning; CP, X-Squad, Force Criminal Investigation Department, (FCID) and CP, Ports Authority Police Western Command, Lagos. I was also AIG, Maritime Police Command, Lagos. I was redeployed to the Force Headquarters August 28, 2024, as Force Secretary of the Nigeria and rose to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Force thereby becoming the first female Deputy Inspector-General of Police in the entire Northern Nigeria to the glory of God.
“I retired after attaining 35 years of service with unblemished record. As it stands, I am yet to attain the age of 60. Service rules requires that officers and personnel retire either upon the completion of 35 years or attainment of 60 years.
“For me, my 35th year in service preceded my 60th birthday. I retired contented, grateful to God for a career without blemish and thankful to the Nigeria Police for the opportunity to contribute my quota to national development. I was NEVER discharged from service as has been mischievously proffered.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has nabbed a renowned business executive and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.
Her legal team made this known in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, her lawyer had reportedly told the Federal High Court in Abuja that she had already stated in her court documents that she would visit the EFCC today in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to respond to allegations related to an ongoing investigation.
The court also directed that she must be present before it on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to continue proceedings in the matter.
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