₦airaland Forum

Almost a month after the scarcity of premium motor spirit threw the country into an energy crisis, indications emerged, yesterday, that the situation may go from bad to worse, as prices at the pump rose to over N300 per litre in some filling stations across the country, especially those owned by independent marketers.

Although the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had said in Abuja that 2.3 billion litres of additional premium motor spirit were being imported into the country to complement existing one billion litres as part of measures to address fuel scarcity, The Guardian gathered, yesterday, that most marketers, especially depot owners who had made payment for products since December last year, were yet to receive the consignment.

While the queues appeared to have abated last week, the situation became worse from Friday, as many petrol stations remained shut, while those that opened and sold at the official price, had long queues of motorists waiting to buy the product.

In Lagos, most of the stations owned by independent marketers that were without queues sold the product for between N200 and N250 a litre.

Amid the disruption in the distribution system, consumers are worried about the lack of monitoring and silence on the part of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in checking the excesses of some of the marketers that had products but selling above the pump price.

Multiple sources across the value chain equally confirmed, yesterday, that the existing strategy being deployed by the state oil firm in an attempt to enable it to recover cost after being transformed into a limited liability company may further worsen the prevailing situation.

Although the NNPC was expected to truck out products to most stations in the city centres owned by the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), most depot owners instead of supplying the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) now prefer selling the products at their stations in a bid to recover losses from bank loans and new challenges that include, payment for products in dollars, which they claimed they have to source at the black market.

A source, who is a top member of Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN), who pleaded anonymity, said though the national oil company was trying its best to address the situation, realities are far from claims being made in the media.

Recall that a new N500,000 Ship-to-Ship Coordination Charge for each transhipment operation for petrol has reportedly been introduced by NNPC, the source said most of the depot owners now have to pay for their goods in dollars and have borrowed money since December to pay for products but are yet to load products three months after.

A memo from NNPC Limited with Ref. NNPC/ML/STS01, dated February 18, 2022, and addressed to all marketers with the heading, “Payment Of STS Coordination Charge” signed by O.I O Ajilo on behalf of GGM Shipping, reads, “Please be informed that the NNPC Management has directed that effective 10th February 2022, the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira, (N500,000.00)

Guardian also gathered that while the marketers, including NNPC Limited, agreed to blend existing dirty fuel in the country, which was observed around January 11 this year, the depots appear to have enough products to effectively blend the dirty products.

“Most depot owners that have paid for products since December have not loaded. Usually, we have only 30 days to pay back loans to the bank; we now have to pay interest of above 60 days extra. Who will bear this cost? They are telling us to bear the cost and not increase the cost of the products. Aside from that, we were paying in naira for the NNPC vessels we have been using, when we pay, they load the products and send them to our depots; now we pay in dollars. That dollar is sourced at the black market. Who pays the difference between the official and the black market rates? In addition to that, we now incur costs for a ship-to-ship charge,” he said.

He challenged the NNPC to supply products across its depot to enable IPMAN members to get products and sell at the pump price of N165.

In most parts of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, black marketers are selling a litre for N400, just as long queues persist as most spend relatively five hours to get products.

While Nigeria is hosting global leaders in the oil and gas sector in Abuja from today, a look through most windows at the NNPC Tower, even from the Petroleum Minister’s waiting room shows the horrific queues at the Conoil and Total stations located in front of the towers.

For over a month now, it has taken the interventions of the Police and Army to ensure sanity on the roads as the dual road that links the Wuse area of the FCT to the Central Business District through the NNPC tower is now one way due to petrol queues.

Only a few fuel stations were dispensing both in the city center and the suburbs. The few that were dispensed at the actual pump price had very long queues.

While the price was selling for N165 per litre in the city, most stations on the way towards the other parts of the northern region were selling above N300 per litre.

On the Kubwa expressway and some parts of the city, especially Jabi, Wuyi, Wuse, Central Business District, Garki and others, few fillings were dispensing under heavy queues.

On the airport road, Shema filling was without fuel. NIPCO was dispensing under a long queue. Dan oil was under lock. Oando was dispensing on the Kubwa expressway with long queues as well as MRS. Most of the A.Y Shafa stations along the route had no fuel.


Although the Vice President of IPMAN, Abubakar Shettima, did not immediately respond to the request of The Guardian, yesterday, sources at the association told The Guardian that most members could not sustain the N165 pump price, insisting that it is now difficult to get products.

Recall that the Bayelsa State government had directed all fuel stations in the state not to sell petrol above N230 per litre although the national price is N165 per litre. In Benin, Conoil along the airport road was dispensing at N200 yesterday, while the NNPC along Sapele road near Protea Hotel had long queues but was dispensing at the actual price.

In Lokoja, the price remained high and even worse across small cities in the state. For instance, Olobo Global Oil, along the old Egume road in Anyigba under Dekina local government was selling at N230 per litre.

Decrying the situation, Managing Partner, The Chancery Associates, Emeka Okwuosa, said it remained unfortunate that the queues persist.

According to him, the development remained an indication that the country lacked proactive and competent regulators in the oil and gas industry.

“NNPC is really lagging behind in its jobs. Because of a couple of odd toxic supplies in the system, we are back to queues. NNPC needs to adopt a more robust approach. I am shocked that up to date people that imported the toxic supplies have not been sanctioned.

“We must sanction them to act as a deterrent and ensure it does not happen again. What this also shows is that we don’t have emergency supplies in storage to take care of situations like this,” he said.

Okwuosa noted that the Federal Government is more interested in paying humongous subsidies than in ensuring supplies of our fuel needs.

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industries Mine and Agriculture (NACCIMA), at the weekend, called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to find a definitive resolution to the lingering fuel queues.

NACCIMA urged the Federal Government to stop the importation of petroleum products and take immediate steps at ensuring that all refineries are working in full capacity for a definitive end to the importation of petroleum products.

Maxymilliano:
This is a case of the nyash wey mess but na the head chop konk.

Football and politics.

The current crisis between Russia and Ukraine is set to have a debilitating effect on the nation’s oil and gas industry with analysts predicting that should the tension not doused, oil price could hit $150 per barrel.

The implication of rising oil prices, according to industry observers, will lead to an increase in the already N3 trillion budget of fuel subsidy in 2022 while many oil and gas projects that depend largely on iron and steel imports from Ukraine and Russia may suffer delay.

Measures forcing Russia to supply less crude or natural gas would have “substantial implications” on oil prices and Nigeria’s economy, said Sue Trinh of Manulife Investment Management.

Already, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has distorted global financial and energy markets causing oil prices to soar above $100 per barrel, the highest since 2014.

Nigeria’s receipt from oil accounts for about 90 per cent of its earnings, hence a distortion in the global oil market affects the country.

Last week, amid heightened tensions between the two countries, the international oil benchmark, Brent crude, rose to $103.43 per barrel

Brent crude, against which Nigeria’s oil is priced, hit a fresh eight-year high of $103.43 per barrel as of 4:39pm Nigerian time, last Thursday as Russian forces made their way into Ukraine in a show of force not seen in Europe since World War II in a multi-pronged attack.

The $103.43 per barrel oil price, traded above $40, a figure which is higher than the Federal Government’s oil benchmark price of $62 per barrel for the 2022 budget and oil production of 1.88 million barrels per day.

Regrettably, most of the gains recorded during a higher oil price regime are frittered away through refined fuel importation as Nigeria imports 100 per cent of its petroleum products needs due to the dysfunctional state of its four refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna. Crude oil prices were on the rise on Thursday morning as Russia engaged in a “special military operation” in Ukraine. The price of Brent crude oil is now well over $105 per barrel for the first time since July 2014.

According to the United Nations COMTRADE, Nigeria imports from Ukraine was $156 million in 2020 as Ukraine’s major exports to Nigeria were iron and steel at $125million, sugars and sugar confectionery at $8.1million and pharmaceutical products at $7.6million.

On the other hand, mutual diplomatic relations have been in existence between Russia and Nigeria since the 1960s. In September 2021, the Russian government said its trade volume with Nigeria stood at $600million because Russia is also an oil producing nation.

Following the battle between both countries, a publication by MMS Plus said there are reports of merchant shipping vessels in the region damaged by shelling and projectiles. At least, three vessels have been affected by gunfire in the Black Sea area off the coast of Odessa and Yuzhny. Commercial vessels have been asked not to enter the Sea of Azov as access is denied by Russian military forces. Two Russian commercial cargo ships were hit by Ukranian missiles in the Sea of Azov.

Multiple international container lines such as MSC, Maersk and CMA CGM have released operational updates announcing suspensions of vessel calls to Ukraine until further notice.

The Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) has issued a Ship Security Advisory admonishing commercial vessels to avoid any transit or operation within the EEZ of Ukraine or Russia within the Black Sea.

“Access to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait is currently blocked by Russian forces. All Ukrainian ports have been closed by the Ukrainian military. If a vessel is located at a Ukrainian port, plans to depart should be arranged as soon as safely possible. Access to the northwest Black Sea, north of 45° 21′ is restricted by the Russian Navy.”

“Vessels must ensure the automatic identification system (AIS) is always transmitting (except when the master believes that continuing to operate AIS might compromise the safety or security of the ship or when a security incident is imminent), consistent with provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and monitor VHF Channel 16. Any vessels challenged by Russian military vessels should comply fully with instructions. Armed security personnel are not to be embarked while operating in the Black Sea,” it said.

It further included a report of a Marshall Islands registered bulk carrier suffering significant damage to the deck and bridge area whilst drifting approximately 50 nautical miles (nm) South of Odessa. Pending further investigation, the damage is initially thought to be caused by a projectile.

Commenting on the development, Partner, Bloomfield Law Practice, Dr. Ayodele Oni, said global oil prices could rise as high as $150 a barrel if the tension between Russia and Ukraine worsens, and this will have huge economic implications for Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil-producing country as we should generate much more income from our oil than the benchmark in the budget

‘‘We are already surpassing the budgetary figures. The problem is whether the importation of finished products could erode the additional profitability as cost of bringing in finished products like PMS too would rise.

With the likely increase in the prices of refined petroleum products, subsidy and cost of subsidy may also increase- a negative implication for Nigeria,’’.

Oni pointed out that the crisis could equally signal delay cost overruns for the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas(NLNG) Train 7 as the country imports most of its iron and steel from Ukraine.

Former Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr.Muda Yusuf, observed that a lot of Nigeria’s steel products come from Ukraine and Russia, saying the war is going to affect our trade with these nations.

‘‘More importantly, this crisis has led to an increase in crude oil price. Nigeria should be smiling at this increase but the nation isn’t refining locally, so our import bill on petroleum imports will increase. The nation’s bill for fuel subsidy will also increase. If this war prolongs, the problems will lead to fiscal deficits and eventually lead to more borrowing as the debt profile will increase. We can also expect inflation because the increase in energy price, aviation fuel, diesel and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) will be higher.”

Nigeria can always buy oil and steel from other nations but Russia is a major oil producer in the world. Oil is a global commodity and any disruption affects the world,’’.

FaceTanke:
Any gun can kill

Even Dane gun

The price of bread, one of the most commonly eaten staples in most Nigerian homes is set to rise if the current Russian-Ukrainian war persists.

Russia is the world’s largest exporter of wheat, accounting for more than 18 per cent of international exports.

The downside to the war is that if supply from Russia is distorted for whatever reason, Nigeria could be faced with further surging wheat prices in its local market as a result of the supply gap, which could lead to an increase in the price of some other by-products of wheat, such as bread, wheat meal amongst others.

The price of bread was increased by more than 80 per cent between 2020 and 2021.

In 2020, the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) had hinted at a 50 per cent increase in the price of bread citing the surging cost of raw materials and COVID-19 impact.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), wheat is the third most widely consumed grain in the country, with its local production only accounting for just 1% of the 5 to 6 million metric tons consumed annually, with the country relying on importation to meet local demands.

The demand-supply gap has necessitated the spending of over $2 billion on wheat importation annually, representing the second-highest contributor to the country’s food import bill.

A cursory glance at the foreign trade report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria imported goods valued at N813.19 billion (over $2bn annually) between January and September 2021, representing 3.7% of Nigeria’s total import in the same period.

A further look at the data shows that Nigeria imported durum wheat worth over N128.1 billion in the 9-month period of 2021, while it recorded a N144.14 billion durum wheat import in the previous year.

Also, Nigeria imports different types of seafood from Russia, some of which include mackerel, meat, herrings, blue whiting, other fish, all in frozen form.

It is also worth noting that Nigeria imported vaccines for human medicine from Russia in Q4 2020.

In 2019, Russia and Ukraine together exported more than a quarter (25.4 per cent) of the world’s wheat, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).

In the event of outright aggression, the flow of wheat and grain could be disrupted. Economic sanctions or military action could have a significant effect on the cost of food as importers seek to find alternatives.

Ukraine is the fifth largest exporter of wheat, accounting for seven per cent of sales globally in 2019.

Speaking exclusively with Daily Trust, the president of AMBCN said the current situation will definitely lead to an increase in the prices of flour.

He said: “Flour millers are happy to hear of things like this because they will capitalise on it to increase prices by hoarding the product to induce artificial scarcity.

“We are in trouble. I wish we were ready with the cassava flour at least, we can substitute with up to 10 per cent and that will save this country billions of naira.

“As we speak, a major distributor of one of the brands has announced a N100 increase from Monday.”

Kassim Afegbua, a former campaign spokesman for ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that his former boss should not be trusted with the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential ticket for the 2023 general elections.

He said the party could not afford to make the same mistake it made in 2019 when Atiku abandoned all his foot soldiers and sought refuge in faraway Dubai, UAE after he lost the presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Afegbua made the call in a statement he personally signed on Sunday, titled, “PDP 2023: Atiku Abubakar Lied”, in reaction to a statement credited the former vice president that he always gets the PDP presidential ticket.

He noted that contrary to the claim, Atiku had only represented the party once; in the 2019 presidential contest since the formation of the PDP.

The statement read in part, “I read with dismay the statement credited to former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar where he boasted that he would always get the presidential ticket of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP. At a time when the former Vice President should be working towards strengthening the structures of the party for more electoral victories, the only thing that bothers him is all about his selfish aspiration.

“It was only in 2019 that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerged as the candidate of the PDP at the Port Harcourt convention when it was decided by the Southern aspirants to allow All Northern aspirants to contest the primary election. So, the claim that ‘I will always get the ticket of the PDP flies in the face of logic, fact and reality.”

Afegbua noted that rather than his presidential ambition in 2023, Atiku “should be thinking of how to support young Nigerians from the Southern part of the country to pursue the presidential aspiration of the opposition party.”

The statement added, “We cannot afford the mistake of 2019 when Alhaji Abubakar abandoned all his foot-soldiers and sought refuge in faraway Dubai. A true political General ought to secure his troops and return them to the barracks after the war to carry out a critical assessment before knowing the next step.

“Rather than borrow a leaf from the Ukrainian President, Zelensky, who has been standing by his Ukrainian nationals, to the extent of carrying AK-47 to the battlefront to secure his country from Russian invasion, Alhaji Abubakar ran away to Dubai and exposed all of us to the threats and intimidation of the monstrous APC in 2019.

“Such a leader cannot be trusted with the responsibility of representing our aggregate interest in the struggle for 2023. No amount of closed-door meetings with former leaders can change the oscillation of the political pendulum in 2023.

“Except he’s being deceived, no former president would support an Atiku presidency, at a time they all have spoken loudly about fielding younger President in 2023.”

We Are Liverpool FC

We Are The Reds

We Are KOPITES

The Police in Lagos State arrested Olamilekan Daniel, a National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) member, Thursday night.

The detainee currently works as a software developer with a PR/Communications firm (name withheld) in the State.

A police team picked the intern after complaining about his hairstyle, labelling him a ‘Yahoo boy’ (internet fraudster).

Daniel was slapped, assaulted and taken to Araromi Police Station at Adamo in Ikorodu where he was asked to pay for his freedom.

The personnel have been identified as CP Strike Team, Anti-Cultism and Anti Kidnapping Unit (Ikorodu annex).

A friend of Daniel, Patrick, narrated the ordeal to DAILY POST at the weekend, revealing that the victim is “very traumatized”.

“Daniel is a corps member serving in Lagos, his family are based outside the State. He was forcefully taken from Adamo street in Ikorodu”, he said.

“He and others were in a car looking for fuel and food when they were stopped. The police ordered all out, searched them and the car but found nothing.

“One then shouted ‘This one na Yahoo boy, see him hair’. Daniel told them he had a legitimate job but they didn’t listen. He was beaten and his shirt torn.

“They took him away and kept him in detention, was not allowed access to his family. At the police station, they demanded N150,000, later reduced it to N100,000 then N50,000.

“Explaining that he didn’t have money to pay, the policemen mocked him and said he will remain there till Monday for refusing to cooperate.

“After several calls by friends and colleagues to the authorities, Daniel was released. The Chief Officer at Araromi police station apologized and gave him N500 for transport.

“Daniel mentioned that they were about 14 of them detained unlawfully as at 8pm on Friday. Their families don’t know they are there.

“One was picked from a keke and, from what I heard, would be to Ikeja on Saturday. We don’t know what will become of those guys, they are helpless,” he narrated.

DAILY POST received information that the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, got furious after his attention was drawn to the incident.

The source said an officer called the Strike Team to convey Alabi’s order for Daniel’s immediate release. The Command is expected to investigate the matter.

Nigerians are being detained arbitrarily despite countless promises by the leadership of security agencies to curtail the illegality.

The escalating war between Russia and Ukraine has sent oil prices to new highs, with the Bonny Light breaking the $100 per barrel resistance level on February 24 for the first time since 2014.

As the United States and European allies of Ukraine threaten to tighten sanctions on Russia, oil traders are concerned about the prospect of supply in a market where demand is rising rapidly, as factories and broader economies open up to recover from the doldrums of COVID-19 restrictions.

Like a tale of two halves, oil importers such as South Africa and Kenya are groaning as rising crude oil price sends the price of petrol, and by extension, other consumer good prices higher, escalating the current inflationary pressures in those countries.

However, members of the Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) seem to be excited about the bullish rally in oil price as it gives hope of higher fiscal revenue, which may help to partly bridge budget deficits.

Paradoxically, Nigeria may be worse off as higher oil prices mean more subsidy payments for the government. Unlike its OPEC peers, Nigeria imports all of its refined petroleum products, mainly through “opaque” transactions coordinated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which puts the country’s daily consumption of petrol at 93million litres during peak periods.

With President Muhammadu Buhari reversing an earlier decision to halt petrol subsidy for genuine or otherwise reasons, he had to send a supplementary budget to the National Assembly a fortnight ago, seeking an additional N2.55trillion provision for fuel subsidy at a time when the crude oil price was lower at $95 per barrel.

Contrary to the positive vibes amongst OPEC members, Nigeria seems to be a net loser in the oil price equation. First, oil production has been very weak, on an average of 1.6million barrels per day, a level below OPEC quota and far behind the 1.88mbpd benchmark in the 2022 budget. This reality reflects the poor investment in the sector over the past decade, a phenomenon that exacerbates the structural and communal issues of insecurity and theft, which continue to undermine the country’s oil output.

More importantly, the country’s shameful import of refined products exposes it to the vagaries of the volatile market, even as it paradoxically fixes the retail price of the imported refined products, a fiscal policy that means the government has to bear the burden of the higher crude oil price. No wonder the country’s external reserve has shrunk almost $1bn or 1.7 per cent year-to-date at a time when the oil price has rallied over 40 per cent. So, as oil price rises, Nigeria paradoxically counts its woes.

In OPEC peers where market and policies work to the benefit of the people, a situation where oil price is almost 70 per cent over the budget benchmark of $62 per barrel, the country should be accumulating savings in the excess crude oil account or the country’s Sovereign Wealth Fund in preparation for the inevitable rainy day. Unfortunately, this is not the reality in Nigeria as neither high nor low oil price is good for the country. So the question is: What, when and how can the country put its resources to good use?

For Nigeria, higher oil prices give her via the right hand but takes away, perhaps in a greater measure, from the left. With the country’s four oil refineries dead, Africa’s leading oil producer depends solely on imports for domestic supply of refined petroleum products, and since local retail pricing of petroleum products remains a combustible issue, higher prices mean that more budgetary allocations have to be made to meet state subsidy of local consumption, which many say is arguably inflated.

Beyond the woes of the fiscal burden from the subsidy, yield on Nigeria’s Eurobonds is rising fast as investors get concerned about the falling external reserves in a rising oil price environment. Notably, the yield on the 7.875 per cent US$1.5billion in February 2032 Eurobond, which has 10 years to maturity, has risen to 8.7 per cent, a notable 80 basis points rise from December 2021 levels, as the Notes trade at a huge discount to the 7.875 per cent yield at which it was issued. This reinforces the concern that Nigeria would have to pay more for any new borrowing in the international capital market, a phenomenon that would add to the current fiscal burden, where the country spends more than half of its revenue on debt service.

Perhaps there is good news as analysts at Vetiva Capital Management, a boutique investment bank in Lagos, believe oil price would take a breather in the second half of the year, with the oil research desk forecasting an average of $90 per barrel in the second half of the year.

For Dr Bongo Adi, a senior lecturer and economist at the Lagos Business School, “In the final analysis, Nigeria may be hard hit, and we may have to prepare for a rough time if the current spot price becomes a benchmark for the country’s imported refined products.”

He contends that there may be some relief in the crude-for-petrol swap arrangement as such transaction may cushion the impact of the rising oil price on the fiscal position of the country.

While commenting on the yield environment and the likely impact on Nigeria’s ability to fund the 2022 budget deficit, Abiola Rasaq, a financial analyst and former chief economist of the United Bank for Africa Plc said, “Nigeria would be able to access the international market for financing its budget deficit, but it needs to get the timing right to ensure effective pricing.

“Currently, sentiment is relatively weak on emerging markets, especially for economies such as Nigeria, where a few issues may have undermined investor sentiment. While the market is a bit choppy now and the volatile environment may not support new issuance, there is also the downside risk to investor appetite for the polity as the 2023 elections draw near; hence, getting the timing right would be very important, especially as the sovereign also serves as the benchmark for corporate issues.”

The resources available to various terror rings is enough to destabilise the country, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i said yesterday, The Nation reports.

He believes the nature of terrorism in the Northwest is far more vicious than the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

The governor spoke at the weekly Ministerial Briefing organised by the Presidential Media Team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that some security operatives were working for terrorists.

According to him, while 937 were killed and 1,972 kidnapped by bandits in Kaduna in 2020, a total of 1,192 were killed and 3,348 kidnapped last year.

The governor reiterated that the only answer to ending terrorism in all its forms is by total elimination.

He said terrorists, especially those involved in banditry and kidnapping, have adapted their crime forms into a business, with a financial turnover, their original trades in cattle breeding could not generate.

El-Rufai said the effort to tackle the menace had been uncoordinated.

He said some governors thought negotiating with the criminals would solve the problem but realised that it was a mistake.

On whether the terrorists collude with security agents, El-Rufai said: “Yes, we are concerned and it is not impossible to have infiltrators.

“The preliminary report of Boko Haram financing also showed some links to bandits and pointed to some police and military officers in service as having some communication or connection with the bandits.

“So, there’s always that risk. In any system you have traitors and we’re concerned about that. But to date, we don’t have any firm evidence of that. I think a lot more work needs to be done.

“We need to pursue the financing and logistics chain of banditry as well because the amount of money these bandits are making is enough to destabilise this country. It is a lot of money.

“We only have an idea of what it is because those that make the payments don’t tell us the truth all the time, but we hear from the legal intercepts of the conversations about how much money they are asking for, how much they have received and so on.

“The numbers are mind-boggling. It’s a major source of national insecurity and it will grow unless it is decisively dealt with. So, yeah I am concerned.”

He believes the security situation in the Northcentral is far worse than the Northeast.

El-Rufai said: “I am persuaded that the insurgency in the Northwest is far more lethal, far more serious than Boko Haram, both in terms of the numbers of people affected.

“As you can see, this is just Kaduna numbers, one or two years. I can assure you the numbers in Zamfara and Katsina are two to three times this if they are keeping tabs.

“The numbers in Sokoto, Niger and Kebbi will be about this. So, we are talking of tens of thousands of people getting killed, getting kidnapped. It is far more serious than Boko Haram.

“The only thing is that these guys don’t take territories. They are in the forests, ungoverned spaces.

“So, they do not attract the same kind of single-minded attention that Boko Haram does and because Boko Haram’s ideologies are religious or contentiously religious, you know, it elicits more passion.”

He said the state government established the peace commission so as to end the conflicts unsettling Southern Kaduna, emphasising that true peace will not be achieved without dialogue.

He said the state has also invested a lot into technology to fight crime, adding that some of the gadgets procured had assisted the state to locate the hideouts of the criminals.

The governor believes the strength of the entire police and armed forces is far below the need of the country.

He noted that in some cases, the criminals wield more powerful firearms and ammunition.

The governor said he was not keen to run for another political office at the end of his tenure.

“I’m not an ambitious person. I’m just a person that gets things done when given the opportunity and that’s why I’ve never lobbied for a job, I’ve never desired to.

“Even this governorship, it was President Buhari that literally forced me to run. I wasn’t interested in it. I just wanted us to defeat (former President Goodluck) Jonathan and I’ll come to the Villa and be enjoying myself.

“I would have been one Special Adviser (Domestic). Anytime they are flying to New York, I’m there. That is the life and I would not have had grey hairs.

“But the President insisted that some of us must go and run for governorship, just in case he did not get elected again. He felt that we needed some strong governors, those were the words he used.

“So, I was forced into this. I’ve never desired to be Minister of FCT. (Former President Olusegun) Obasanjo just called me and said I am appointing you. I’ve never wanted to be DG of BPE, I was called and given. So, I have zero ambitions. I have no aspirations”, he said.

The Federal Government has met with envoys of the G7 countries in Nigeria, expressing worries over the Russian-Ukraine conflict with a call for peace to resolve the conflict.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, met with the envoys on Friday in Abuja, saying the Nigerian government called for peace and the use of diplomacy in resolving all differences.

Onyeama said Nigeria does not condone the approach of aggression by Russia, calling on Russia to pull back.

“Peace and diplomacy to be prioritised by both sides. We support every effort being made to stop the aggression and Russian troops to return to Russia,” Onyeama said.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Birgitt Ory, who is also chair of the G7 Group, appreciated the African Union on its statement on the situation.

Ory, who also commended Nigeria for putting in its weight, said Nigeria is a very important voice that the world needed to hear.

He said that what is also clear is the unanimous condemnation of the attacks by all United Nations member states in the light of Russia’s military action.

Ory said there will be resolutions in the United Nations Security Council, as well as the General Assembly and other United Nations fora such as the Human Rights Council where Nigeria is a very important voice and member.

Also in attendance were; United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing; Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi.

Others were the representatives of the Embassies of Japan and Canada.

The National APC leader said many people were complaining of his fitness because he went abroad for a knee injury but he is only applying for a brain intelligent thinking job and not for a bricklaying job.

Tinubu, however, told the monarch that if given the opportunity, he would not let Nigerians down.

He added that he has the capacity to run the nation’s affairs.

The aspirant, who said he had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition, said he was ready to offer honest service to the country and its people.

Tinubu said: “The time is here now. The clock is ticking, calendar is ticking and this is the time Nigerians need a thorough hope, solid hope for progress, prosperity, and growth.

“We need a lot of jobs for our children, solid education for our children, we need progress for our country and we need someone that can do this.

“I offer myself the opportunity to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I have informed President Buhari that I want to step into his shoes.

“I told him I want to serve my country to the best of my knowledge
I need your endorsement and your prayers.”

On his fitness, Tinubu said: “I am not applying for the job of bricklaying or grave digging. I went to school to study Accountancy and Management.

“I am applying for a brain intelligent thinking job and I will do it right.

“The job I want to do for Nigeria is for Nigeria to be greater and to be proud of itself.”

Tinubu, who further explained that Nigerians must continue to remain united, irrespective of tribe or religion, urged Nigerians to embrace the lyrics of the old national anthem.

According to him, it states tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.

“We believe in one Nigeria, irrespective of our tribe, we must see ourselves as one entity that will bring progress to Nigeria, and this is my promise,” he said.

Responding, Oba Olanipekun, who said Tinubu has the capacity to be the president, prayed that God would grant his heart’s desires.

The traditional ruler said he was of the belief that Tinubu was capable of serving as the president of the country.

A group of terrorists have engaged troops of the Nigerian Army attached to Operation Thunder Strike/Whirl Punch in a fierce battle around Labi general area along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.

No fewer than 55 heavily armed terrorists out of the adversaries numbering about 75 were neutralised when the gun duel lasted at the place which is close to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this at Defence headquarters on Thursday while updating newsmen on various military operations carried out across the six geo-political zones of the country.

It would be recalled that gunmen had last year gained entrance into the academy’s residential area in Afaka, Kaduna, and killed two officers while one was abducted.

Onyeuko explained that the bandits came under heavy airstrikes during the duel, which aided the ground forces to effectively engage the bandits and neutralise them.

“The air component carried out air interdiction on terrorist/bandits’ enclaves in South of Damari in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State after a painstaking air reconnaissance missions on terrorist/bandits’ enclaves.

“The air interdiction neutralized several armed terrorists close to the Nigerian Defence Academy. Consequently, the operation resulted in the neutralization of a total of 55 bandits,” he said.

The senior military officer added that the troops in the same theatre of operation encountered criminals in Agasha located at Guma Local government area of Benue State.

He disclosed that 10 kidnapped civilians were rescued and 3 of the criminal elements were arrested during the encounter with criminals at the Gbekyor general area.

Onyeuko added, “Furthermore, troops on clearance operations on 22 February 2022 in Mbayongo area in Katsina Ala local government area came in a contact with bandits terrorizing the area and neutralized 1 bandit, arrested and recovered 2 locally made guns, 1 pistol, 69mm rounds, 7.62mm special.

“The rescued civilians and arrested criminals have been handed to the appropriate authorities for further actions.”

Hearing in the bail application of detained Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, before a Federal High Court, Abuja, has suffered a setback following the denial of service of the bail application by the federal government.

Kyari has been in custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) since his arrest last week by the police and subsequent transfer to the NDLEA for investigation “over his involvement in a 25kg cocaine deal”.

However, days after his arrest and detention at the NDLEA, Kyari filed a fundamental human rights suit against the federal government, describing the drug trafficking allegations against him as a trumped-up charge as well as breach of his rights.

Amongst others, he prayed the court to order for his immediate release or in the alternative admit him to bail in liberal conditions.

However, in a short ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo declined to grant the exparte application and rather ordered that the applicant put the respondents on notice and adjourned till February 24, 2022, for hearing.

According to Justice Ekwo, the averments made by the applicant is such that would warrant the respondents to appear in court and answer to the allegations.

When the matter came up Thursday, the court could still not hear the bail application because the counsel to the federal government, Mike Kassa, acknowledged service of court processes, but added that the application for bail was not included.

He told the court that he has already served his counter affidavits on the applicant.

Responding, Kyari’s lawyer, Cynthia Ikena, insisted that the bail application was served on the federal government, adding that the proof of service is in the court record.

Presiding Justice Ekwo then directed the applicant to serve the respondent a copy of the motion in court and stood down the matter for an hour.

At the resumed hearing, one Joseph Sunday, who announced appearance for the federal government, requested for time to enable him respond to the bail application.

Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter to February 28 and directed the federal government to put its house in order.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA, on Monday, obtained an order to further detain Kyari and six others for another 14 days to enable it conclude its investigation of the alleged drug trafficking offence.

The federal government has assured of its determination to ensure that the inflation rate which has been on a downward trend is brought even lower as the government continues to work ways of reviving the economy.

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, gave the assurance yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after briefing the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the latest performance figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

He said though the economy is making a lot of progress given its consistently good performance in recent times, the question of whether the positive indicators have had the desired impact on the lives of people is another matter.

He, however, said he could not provide a definite timeline to reduce the inflation to the level that will positively impact all Nigerians.

Agba, while reacting to a question on why the downward trend noticed in the inflation rate was yet to have impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians, said: “First, you say the figures that were given show that there is a positive trajectory in terms of the economy. I think first we need to understand what GDP itself means. It’s the totality of the value of goods and services. It’s an indication of what is happening in the economy; when you are having more to spend, more transactions are going on.

“It means the economy itself is growing and if it is declining, and you have such a negative decline in two quarters, then we will say you are in a recession.

“And NBS has consistently given these figures, whether they are positive, or they are negative, and then we compare them either on the month-on-month basis, or year-on-year basis.

“And then we also have what those figures are annually, which tend to show us or indicate whether we are making progress or not. What those numbers show is that there’s steady progress that is being made. Whether it is far-reaching enough, is a different ball game.”

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The Senate has called on the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) led Federal Government to declare all known leaders of terrorists wanted.

The call was made on Wednesday in a six-point resolution reached by the chamber, following a motion considered on the urgent need to stem the increasing spate of kidnappings and insecurity across parts of the country.

The motion entitled, “urgent need to surmount all kinds of kidnappings, banditry and related security challenges in Wasagu-Danko, Sakaba, and Yauri Local Government Areas of Kebbi State”, was sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’allah (Kebbi South).

The motion was co-sponsored by 12 other Senators, according to a statement by Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, the Special Assistant to President of the Senate, titled, ‘Senate to FG: Declare known leaders of terrorists wanted’, on Wednesday.

Na’allah, in his presentation, noted with concern the current rise in security challenges in Danko/Wasagu and Sakaba Local Government Areas (LGAS) of Kebbi State and indeed across the federation.

According to him, the bandits are moving in hundreds from village to village, house to house in search of cattle to rustle and people to abduct.

He lamented that “in some cases, the houses and foodstuffs of the residents are entirely burnt down, rendering them homeless and without food to survive. Besides, many of their victims have been maimed while women, both old and young, are raped and dehumanized.”

The lawmaker, stated that the bandits now conduct their criminal operations in broad daylight, fully armed on motorcycles, and shooting and killing whoever was unfortunate to come their way.

He raised the alarm that the bandits have reportedly been laying siege around Yar-Kuka, Morai, Dankade, to Wadako and, recently in Bena, where 20 people were abducted.

He added that they have also found refuge in Ayu, where most of the residents were forced to flee, under Wasagu Chiefdom of Wasaga/Danko LGAS of Kebbi State. “The same challenges are going on at Sakaba town under Sakaba LGAS of the State unabated”, he said.

The legislator also bemoaned the kidnap of School Children of Federal Government College Yauri, noting that more than ten are still in captivity.

“The Females among them were said to have been married to the Bandits and reportedly three are said to have been released to their parents after having been allegedly impregnated by their captors.

“Last week, the Bandits attacked Tungar Zarumai, under Yauri Emirate Council, killed and kidnapped so many people and set the entire village ablaze where foodstuff and other valuables were completely burnt down”, Na’allah said.

Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), in his contribution, said the incidents of kidnappings and killings In Kebbi South are replications of what happened in Zamfara and Sokoto States.

“The military made it impossible for bandits to operate in Zamfara causing them to seek refuge in Kebbi State”, Aliero said.


On his part, Senator Sani Musa (Niger East), described the present security situation in the North-West part of the country as “alarming”.

He lamented the lack of military response to the recent killing of four officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Shiroro LGA.

Senator Musa expressed worry that Niger State has become a haven for terrorists going about with explosive devices.

“Are we not human beings, is there no government? Foreigners are coming into this country. Immigration should wake up, there are a lot of foreigners in Niger State. Niger State has become a haven for Bomo Haram.

“There is no action taken, no security forces, nobody is doing anything about it. These people have started using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). If we can’t do it, why not call foreign countries to come and help us”, he queried.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his concluding remarks said, “let’s never be discouraged, because sometimes we feel why are we doing this, nothing is happening.

“There’s a limit to what we can do, but we must do what we are supposed to do well. When we debate things here, that is our primary responsibility.

“We can only do oversight to put pressure, but we cannot execute, because you can’t command anyone to go anywhere. What we do here to me is very significant. We should continue to debate it, talk about it, and follow up with some action.”

Accordingly, the Senate, in its resolution, urged the president to deploy, massively, the law enforcement agencies to conduct a rigorous operation that would bring to an end banditry and cattle rustling in the affected LGAs.

It also urged the Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector General of Police to, as a matter of urgency, establish Commands in the affected areas.

The chamber urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and all donor organisations to provide relief materials such as clothes, blankets, portable water, food, and shelter to victims in the affected areas.

It urged governments at all levels to provide grants to the victims as being done in other parts of the country to enable them to recover from these unfortunate incidents.

The Southeast will not accept a vice president position in next year’s general election, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide reiterated yesterday.

Insisting that is the region’s turn to produce the president, it warned Igbo sons and daughters not to accept to be running mates to candidates from other regions.

The highest socio-cultural organisation said any such compromise would violate an agreement between Ohanaeze and Igbo leaders.

National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, said Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo leaders had taken a position on the matter.

He warned that anybody who violates the pact would incur the wrath of the land.

The Ohanaeze spokesman told The Nation: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo has made it abundantly clear and all the Igbo leaders have resolved that no Igbo, not only the Southeast, should accept the position of the vice president.

“It is extended to the Igbo of the Southsouth and Middle Belt – Igbo of any kind should not accept the position of vice president.

“That’s the position of Igbo leaders, including Ohanaeze.

“There is no option to it; we don’t give room for choices or options. It is a position taken, with no room for option.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo leaders held a meeting and we have agreed that no Igbo of even Southsouth or anywhere should accept the position of vice president.

“Do you know what it means when all the Igbos get together to take a position?

“Any person who goes contrary to it is incurring the wrath of the land.

“Igbos know the consequences of going contrary to the position of Igbo.”

On the rumour that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is angling for the position of vice president, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo spokesman said the governor is a supporter of Igbo decisions.

“I do not believe that he will do anything against this collective decision,” Ogbonnia said.

He described the governor as a strong advocate of Igbo unity, peace and progress.

“It is unthinkable he will ever go in that direction.

“Uzodimma is doing well as governor; he has more time to stay in Imo and I don’t expect that the issue of vice president will ever cross his mind.”

Igbos who have declared their intention to contest for president are Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Prof Kingsley Moghalu, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Imo State Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Sam Ohuabunwa and Nollywood actor, Mr Yule Edochie.

First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, had called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to choose their presidential candidates from the Southeast.

According to him, the office of the vice president should not be an option any politician from the Southeast should be interested in.

Amaechi added that he does not expect any serious politician from the region to accept to be a running mate to a Northern candidate after eight years of President Buhari.

Ohanaeze President-General, Prof George Obiozorm had also said a president of the Southeast extraction would ensure political balance and a sense of belonging to the region.

Speaking on Channels last month, he pointed out that it was only the Southeast that has not had a shot at the presidency since the return of democracy in 1999.

The former Ambassador to the United States said history, the principle of fairness, morality and “all logical reasoning” justify the demand for an Igbo president.

He said: “It is important at this time in the history of Nigeria for each region to be given a sense of belonging for peace to reign.

“We in Igboland are ready to give you candidates that are confident, with the capacity to perform.

“We ask the nation to create a political balance that includes not just the South and North but the Eastern region of Nigeria.”

According to Obiozor, every zone has produced a president; therefore, the prospect of Igboland being denied again will not be equitable.