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FG Implements Cooking Gas Imports Tax, Price Jumps By 100%

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The Federal Government has implemented a 7.5 percent tax on imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas, popularly called cooking gas, as the cost of the commodity leap by over 100 percent within a period of eight months.

It was gathered on Sunday that the government implemented the VAT on LPG imports about three weeks ago and some dealers were also mandated to pay the tax for commodities imported several months ago.

Operators told our correspondent that Nigeria imports about 70 percent of the commodity, while the rest was mainly supplied by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company.

It was also gathered that the cost of a 12.5kg of cooking gas that sold for about N3,500 in December 2020 had jumped to as high as N6,800 in parts of Abuja.

A resident along the Lagos-Ibadan road said she bought the commodity on Sunday at N7,200 in Lagos, as dealers projected that the cost might hit N10,000 in December this year.

Operators stated the development had made small businesses and homes in rural and semi-urban areas to revert to firewood and charcoal, as the purchase of cooking gas had plunged in recent months.

The National Chairman, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association of Nigeria, Michael Umudu, said there were three factors that caused the surge in price.

He said, “There are three major factors to the hike in prices. Firstly, about 70 percent of the gas we consume in Nigeria is imported and importers have to contend with the high cost of foreign exchange.

“Secondly, there is a rise in the price of petroleum products in the international market and because of that, the cost of LPG has equally gone up. So importers now pay more on imports.

“And thirdly, the government added VAT on imported LPG about three weeks ago. It (VAT) was 7.5 percent of the cost of the commodity and this exacerbated the price hike of cooking gas in the past three weeks.”

Umudu stated that before the introduction of VAT, foreign exchange and the cost of petroleum products in the international market had been the factors causing the rise in price.

“Around November/December last year, 12.5kg was sold at about N3,500, but in July it went up to around N5,500 and when VAT was introduced about three weeks ago, it now escalated to about N6,500 and above,” he stated.

Umudu added, “The price hike seems to be happening on a daily basis and nobody can tell when it will stop. There has been a lot of appeal to the government to find a way of persuading NLNG to increase its domestic supply so that the product can be affordable.

“NLNG supplies about 35 percent of the gas we consume locally and that percentage is not adequate. And the gas sold by NLNG is even sold at an international price and is priced in dollar, not naira.”

On the cost of the commodity in metric tonnes, Umudu, replied, “20MT is now in the average of about N8m. And before VAT was introduced, the price of 20MT was around N6.8m to N7m, which was the highest price then.”

He noted that consequent to that, there has been an upsurge in the use of firewood and other alternative energy sources nowadays.

“If you come to Lagos, you will see heaps of firewood like groundnut pyramids. Many people who use LPG to run their small businesses cannot cope again because of the price. They are in crisis right now; some of them are now using firewood, others, charcoal,” he stated.

Umudu added, “Many people in the rural and semi-urban areas are dropping their cylinders. Those who find it difficult to get alternatives are actually going through a very hard time.”

Also speaking on the issue, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Bassey Essien, said the cost of 12.5kg gas could hit N10,000 in December.

He said, “If by December they (government) don’t take time to address this surge, it (12.5kg) will be N10,000. We are not the one causing this, rather it is the government. We sell what we get.”

On what could be done, he replied, “The volume we produce in Nigeria is just about 40 percent of the total consumption; the rest is imported. And you don’t have a forex window for these people to access to import gas.

“And secondly, you suddenly woke up and said you want to start imposing VAT on imported gas, which was removed several years back. And now, you didn’t even start it fresh, rather you said it is going to be in retrospect, starting from several months back.”

He added, “And you are imposing billions in taxes on gas imports, for instance, you ask one company to pay about N4bn as tax. Now if they pay that money, some other person needs to shoulder this cost.”

On what the government was doing about the development, the spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Garba-Deen Muhammad, said the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, had said the commodity was deregulated.

Muhammed, who served as the media aide to Sylva before switching to become NNPC spokesperson recently, said, “The minister answered this question during his last press briefing two weeks ago.”

At the briefing, Sylva had said, “We are not in a position to determine gas pricing because gas is not a regulated product. But, of course, we are also very concerned that prices are rising and so I am actually doing something about it in the interest of the ordinary Nigerian.

“I am calling some of the suppliers to discuss the reason for this hike.”

He added that the intervention was outside the government’s role.

BIG STORY

14 Villagers, Policeman Killed In Plateau Attacks

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At least 14 villagers and a mobile police officer lost their lives on Thursday in two separate attacks by gunmen in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

One of the incidents occurred around 4:00 pm while the victims, mostly residents of the Chirang community, were returning from Bokkos market to Mangor village.

The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the attack to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday night.

Mallai said, “Yes, it is true. There was an attack on our people about 4:00 pm this evening.

“Fourteen natives were ambushed and killed by suspected terrorists while three others were injured on their way from Bokkos Market to Mangor Village of Bokkos LG.”

He added that security forces had since taken control of the area to maintain peace and prevent further violence.

He also noted that the latest assault followed an earlier attack that same day where a mobile police officer was killed while on duty.

The officer was stationed at a checkpoint along Richa Road in the same Bokkos LGA before he was killed.

Mallai described the incidents as “very unfortunate.”

“Our hearts are bleeding because early this morning, on 24th July, 2025, a MOPOL was killed at his duty post (checkpoint) along Richa road, Bokkos LGA. This is what happened in Bokkos today,” he said.

The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Amalau Amalau, confirmed the attacks and described the situation as an “emergency.”

He said, “I’m driving. We have an emergency in Bokkos following attacks on our people.

“Right now, we are taking the victims to the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Let’s talk later, please,” the chairman told our correspondent.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.

However, sources at the command said additional security personnel had been deployed to the affected area to address the crisis.

In response to the killings, several residents voiced their concerns and urged the Federal Government to consider establishing state police.

“Many state governments have been pleading with the Federal Government to allow them to have state police.

“I think the time has come for the Federal Government and the National Assembly to do something urgent in this regard, to stop further loss of lives in Plateau State and other parts of the country,” said Choji Bulus, a resident of Barkin Ladi.

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BIG STORY

Made Kuti Releases Sophomore Album, ‘Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?’

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  • Set to hold listening party on July 27 at Afrikan Shrine

 

Grammy-nominated Nigerian Afrobeat multi-instrumentalist Omorinmade Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known as Made Kuti, has announced the release of his highly anticipated second album, ‘Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?.’

The highly anticipated album contains 13 songs and is available worldwide.

The sophomore album features socially conscious songs like ‘Take It All In Before The Lights Go Out,’ ‘I Won’t Run Away,’ and ‘Life As We Know It.’ Other songs are ‘Find My Way,’ ‘Pray,’ ‘Won Na Pa,’ ‘Our Own,’ ‘Wait And See,’ ‘You Can’t Hide,’ ‘Oya,’ ‘My Voice,’ ‘Story,’ and ‘After The Tears Flow.’ Made has encouraged fans and music enthusiasts to stream the album on all music platforms, embrace its powerful messages, and prepare for the exclusive listening party happening on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at the iconic Afrikan Shrine.

Building on the success of his debut For(e)word—a modern Afrobeat manifesto tackling issues like corruption and inequality—Made continues to showcase his talent as a singer, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.

The album is coming three years after the release of his debut album, ‘For(e)word, a modern Afrobeat manifesto addressing issues like corruption, inequality, and police brutality. His debut album, which was released in a joint album, ‘Legacy+,’ alongside his father’s ‘Stop the Hate’ in 2022, earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2022.

The upcoming event, FK Management noted, is not just about music – it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and the next chapter in Made’s musical journey. Attendees are billed to experience an electrifying atmosphere filled with live performances, energetic dance, and a shared love for Afrobeat music.

It’s a rare opportunity for fans and music enthusiasts to connect directly with Made and immerse themselves in his new tracks within a vibrant, immersive setting.

As a proud third-generation Kuti, Made continues to push boundaries and elevate his craft, bringing the fire and passion that his legendary lineage is known for.

According to organizers FK Management, this promises to be a milestone moment for fans and music lovers alike—a night to remember.

Update HERE

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BIG STORY

Natasha To Serve Out Suspension As Senate Enters Recess

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Two days after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was stopped from resuming her duties, the Nigerian Senate adjourned plenary on Thursday for its annual break, which will last until September 23, 2025.

As a result of the recess, the suspended Kogi senator will now complete the remainder of her suspension before the next plenary session.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was handed a six-month suspension on March 6, 2025, after being accused of misconduct and insubordination during the February 20, 2025, plenary when she refused a seat reassignment.

The Senate had cautioned that her suspension might be reviewed if she failed to offer a formal apology.

Her punishment stemmed from the findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which found her guilty after reviewing the complaints.

The suspension was due to end on September 6, 2025. However, the recess means she will serve the full term before the Senate returns.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after being denied entry into the Senate chamber, Akpoti-Uduaghan criticised the Senate’s action as unlawful and revealed plans to challenge it in court.

“Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent—the document was faulty,” she said.

“Going forward, I will have a meeting with my legal team so they can proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation of what just happened. I am a law-abiding citizen.”

She also accused Senate President Akpabio of exceeding his constitutional powers.

With the recess in place, the Senate will not reconvene until her suspension has lapsed.

During plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the recess, describing it as “chamber reciprocity” since the House of Representatives had already started its break in line with the legislative calendar.

“We have started a new calendar that will take us to next year, June. And so it has fallen within this period for us to go on for a break to enable us to undertake major oversights,” Akpabio explained.

He stated that while plenary would be paused, committee activities should continue during the break.

“All necessary committees—the diaspora committee, committee on reparation, committee on interior and others—this is the best time for you to undertake visits to prisons and all that.

“Do all your reports and make them available as soon as we come back,” he directed.

Akpabio encouraged senators to carry out oversight functions across the country, emphasising that their legislative responsibilities must continue.

“You are moving from plenary for the next few weeks, but you are not stopping your legislative functions, because that’s what your people elected you to do. Members are expected to travel to Sokoto, everywhere, to observe the road repairs that are going on.

“By the time we resume, you are expected to bring your reports, committee by committee, for us to look into. I want to wish you safe travels and for all of us to return in good health,” he added.

Akpabio also announced the passing of Prof Janet Plang, wife of Senator Diket Plang.

He said arrangements had been made for senators to attend her burial in Plateau State on Friday, with a flight scheduled to leave Abuja at 8 am.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele expressed appreciation to senators for their dedication to legislative duties.

“We thank all our colleagues for all they have done to ensure that the business of lawmaking on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria has progressed smoothly,” Bamidele said.

He then proposed postponing all remaining items on the order paper to the next sitting, which was unanimously accepted by the Senate.

Natasha delayed at airport

Separately, the suspended senator was reportedly held up at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja last Thursday while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom.

A family source disclosed that immigration officials claimed she had been placed on a watch list by order of the National Assembly leadership.

“She was told that the leadership of the National Assembly requested that she be considered a flight risk and placed on a watch list,” the source said.

“We are wondering why they treated her that way, given there is no court order restricting her movement and she has never missed any of her court appearances.”

Eyewitnesses said Akpoti-Uduaghan looked distressed and made several phone calls before being allowed to travel after her passport was stamped.

Speaking shortly before departure, the senator confirmed the incident, saying, “The aircraft is about to take off.”

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