Oyewole Adeyeye, the chief judge of Ekiti state, is dead.

Adeyeye reportedly died in the early hours of Tuesday.

It was gathered that the late chief judge has been unwell since July 12, 2023.

The illness followed severe injuries he sustained when a section of the state high court complex collapsed on him.

More to come…

A group of youth protesters stormed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) headquarters on Monday, demanding the immediate resignation of Group CEO Mele Kyari.

The protesters, backed by Civil Society Organizations, criticized Kyari’s leadership, citing rising fuel prices, persistent fuel shortages, and the overall economic hardship in Nigeria.

The protesters carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “we demand the immediate resignation of Kyari,” among others, said the leadership of the NNPCL boss has failed.

The aggrieved youths led by Abdullahi Bilal of the (Two Million Man March Against Oil Scam Cabal) and Barrister Napoleon Otache and Olayemi Isaac from Citizens and Economic Freedom Rights Activists in Nigeria demanded immediate action to address what they described as failed leadership in managing the country’s oil sector.

Central to the protests were grievances over skyrocketing fuel prices and the never-ending queues, which they argued have driven inflation and plunged millions of Nigerians into poverty.

They also decried the importation of adulterated fuel, which they said is a corrupt practice that harms citizens by damaging vehicles and businesses.

They demanded an immediate halt to these imports and accountability for those responsible, questioning how substandard fuel continues to enter the country despite quality control assurances.

Additionally, the group criticized the unfulfilled promise of the Dangote refinery to resolve Nigeria’s fuel crisis, expressing frustration over the billions of dollars spent on refinery development and refurbishing existing facilities.

They argued that despite these investments, fuel shortages persist, leaving Nigeria reliant on costly imports even as an oil-producing nation.

They urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene by overhauling leadership in the oil sector, enforcing greater accountability, and putting citizens’ needs first. The protesters vowed to continue mobilizing until their demands for reform and transparency are met.

Speaking to journalists during the mass demonstration, Abdullahi Bilal said, “The Two Million Man March stands as a united voice for every citizen who has been betrayed by a system that continues to enrich a few at the expense of many.

“Today, we call for the immediate resignation of the current leadership in the country’s oil sector. Their management has failed Nigerians.

“Under their watch, we have seen fuel prices skyrocket without consultation or consideration of the devastating impact on the people. We have endured fuel scarcity while substandard, adulterated fuel is imported, causing further hardship.

“We demand the complete removal of the fraudulent fuel subsidy regime that has only served to enrich a select few. Full deregulation is necessary to introduce transparency, competition, and fairness to our oil sector.”

On their part, Otache and Isaac, insisted, “This act of economic sabotage has led to endless fuel queues, skyrocketing fuel prices, and unprecedented disruptions in the daily lives of Nigerians.

“We demand an immediate end to fuel queues, transparency, and accountability from all involved parties. We want to know how substandard fuel continues to enter the country despite assurances of quality control.”

On July 7, 2019, former President Mohammadu Buhari appointed Kyari as the 19th GMD of NNPC, but with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, his current portfolio is without recourse to previous employment ranks in the company.

• NNPCL reacts

Reacting, the NNPCL spokesperson, Femi Soneye, said the protestors lack understanding of the sector.

He explained that contrary to their agitation, the GCEO ensured Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over a year, even when the landing cost was above N1,100.

Responding via a chat, Soneye said, “Unfortunately, they lack understanding of the sector. If they were informed, they would know that the GCEO is not responsible for the fuel price increase; in fact, he ensured Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over a year, even when the landing cost was above N1,100.”

He also urged the group to provide pieces of evidence supporting their claim that the national oil firm currently imports adulterated fuel.

“NNPC Ltd does not import adulterated fuel. If anyone has evidence to the contrary, they should bring forward samples of any such fuel imported by NNPC.

“I won’t waste time engaging with individuals motivated by selfish interests. We have more pressing projects to accomplish to ensure energy security for our nation, rather than focusing on inconsequential groups. We are committed to implementing President Bola Tinubu’s roadmap for the sector, and no group will deter or distract us from achieving this goal,” Soneye added.

Credit: The Punch

A passenger driver, simply identified as “Emeka,” was shot dead when suspected kidnappers abducted five passengers traveling from Kebbi State to Asaba in Delta State.

It was gathered that the attack occurred at a point between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village, Niger State, on Sunday, during which five people were abducted. However, one “Emeka,” who was driving the vehicle with Reg. No. “LND 863 YF,” was shot dead.

In a related incident, operatives in Niger State also rescued 19 passengers who were traveling from Sokoto to Bayelsa State before they were attacked by suspected kidnappers and taken into a forest.

The victims, who were attacked by the kidnappers on November 1, 2024, were traveling in a Toyota bus with Reg. No. “LG 08 DGS” from Sokoto State. They were abducted at Gidan-Kwakwa along the Tegina-Zungeru Road in Niger State.

The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, who made this known in a statement on Monday, disclosed that all the victims were rescued unharmed.

“On 03/11/2024 at about 0600hrs, it was reported that on the same date at about 0130hrs, suspected kidnappers attacked a vehicle with Reg. No. “LND 863 YF” from Yawuri Kebbi State heading to Asaba, Delta State.

“The attack occurred at a point between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village, and five people were reportedly abducted. Unfortunately, one “Emeka,” the driver, was shot dead.

“The joint security tactical team responded and combed the forest. In the process, four victims were rescued unharmed within Kattako forest, Rafi LGA. However, efforts are being intensified to rescue the remaining one victim in captivity as the rescue operation continues,” Abiodun stated.

Abiodun also stated that the 19 passengers who were kidnapped on their way from Sokoto to Bayelsa State were rescued unharmed after intense pressure was put on the kidnappers.

“On 01/11/2024 at about 0630hrs, information was received that on the same date at about 0230hrs, some passengers traveling in a Toyota Bus with Reg. No. “LG 08 DGS” from Sokoto State heading to Bayelsa State were attacked by suspected kidnappers at Gidan-Kwakwa along the Tegina-Zungeru Road and abducted 19 people into the forest.

“Immediately the information was received, a joint security tactical team mobilized and trailed the suspected kidnappers. As a result of the sustained pressure, 12 victims were abandoned by the hoodlums and were rescued on 02/11/2024 at about 0642hrs along the Pangugari forest in Rafi LGA.

“As the rescue operation was intensified, at about 2100hrs on the same date, the remaining seven victims were also rescued unharmed within the forest, making a total of 19 victims rescued. The victims were taken to a nearby clinic for medical attention and were released to return to Sokoto State on 03/11/2024,” Abiodun stated.