Category: Local

By Kamal Yalwa: Abuja | August 5, 2025 The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, at its retail outlets nationwide. In Abuja and surrounding areas, the new price is N955 per litre, up by N65 from the previous N890. In Lagos, petrol now sells for N915 per litre, compared to N865 earlier. The hike has triggered concerns among commuters and business owners already grappling with high inflation and rising living costs. A Nigerian Tribune survey confirmed that the new prices have been implemented across NNPC stations in Abuja’s Central Business District, Wuse, Berger, Nyanya, and Mararaba in Nasarawa State. Independent marketers are selling at varied rates — MRS stations in AYA, Abuja, sold at N850, AA Rano at N920, while NIPCO, Zamson, and AYM Shafa stations along the Abuja–Keffi Expressway pegged prices at N920. Although NNPC Limited has yet to issue an official statement, the increase follows Dangote Refinery’s upward revision of the ex-depot price from N820 to N858 per litre.

By Kamal Yalwa: Malumfashi, Katsina State Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma have arrested a female suspect allegedly found with military gear and three loaded ammunition magazines in Malumfashi town, Katsina State. The woman was reportedly intercepted at a routine checkpoint around 1:00 a.m. while attempting to leave the town under suspicious circumstances. A search of her travel bag uncovered a military uniform, camouflage trousers, a tactical jacket, several mobile phones, and other security-related items, including the loaded magazines. Security officials say the items were carefully concealed in her luggage to evade detection. A security source disclosed via his official X handle on Monday evening that the suspect is in custody and undergoing interrogation, with investigations focused on identifying her network and motives. While authorities have not released her identity or confirmed any affiliations, military sources suspect she may be linked to a syndicate that supplies weapons and military equipment to terrorist groups operating in the region.

By Kamal Yalwa: August 4, 2025 Ogbagi Akoko, Ondo State —Residents of Ogbagi Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State staged a peaceful protest on Monday, decrying the worsening condition of the Ikare–Ogbagi–Irun Akoko to Ado-Ekiti Road. The demonstrators, made up of scores of indigenes and community members, marched through major routes in the area carrying placards and banners, demanding swift government intervention. Protesters described the protest as a “collective cry for help,” noting that the dilapidated road has become a daily nightmare for motorists, commercial drivers, and residents. Many lamented the negative impact on economic activities, travel time, and access to healthcare and education. “We are tired of suffering on this road. It’s dangerous, it damages our vehicles, and it is slowing down the growth of our community,” one protester said. In response to the demonstration, the Federal Controller of Works in charge of the project, Mr. Wasiu Owolabi, confirmed that construction work is ongoing on the over 40-kilometre stretch of road. He stated that approximately eight kilometres of the road have been completed so far and appealed for patience from the residents. “We understand the frustration of the people, but work is steadily progressing. We urge residents to bear with the contractors as we work toward the timely completion of the project,” Mr. Owolabi said. The Ikare–Ogbagi–Irun–Ado-Ekiti Road serves as a crucial link between Ondo and Ekiti states and is widely regarded as vital for regional commerce and mobility. Residents say they will continue to monitor the progress and maintain pressure until the road is fully rehabilitated.

In a chilling testimony, a 50-year-old former inmate identified only as Idris has described his two-year ordeal at the Ibara Correctional Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as “nothing but hell.” His story sheds light on the harrowing reality of life behind bars in Nigeria’s overstretched and under-resourced correctional facilities. “We slept in hundreds, like packed sardines in a room that was supposed to accommodate twenty people,” Idris said, narrating the conditions he endured while awaiting trial. “We battled skin rashes, head lice, bedbugs—and eventually, some inmates developed mental disorders.” Idris was arrested in the aftermath of a cult clash near the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Abeokuta. Mistakenly caught in the chaos while attempting to greet an old friend, he was shot, hospitalized for a month, and later charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms. “I was shot, I shot at many people also, but I was overpowered,” he admitted, recounting his eventual transfer from hospital to police custody and later to court. His situation reflects a broader crisis in Nigeria’s correctional system. Overcrowded and Overlooked Despite a 2019 rebranding of the Nigerian Prisons Service to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS)—a move aimed at rehabilitation rather than punishment—overcrowding and neglect remain rampant. According to 2025 statistics, 81,287 inmates are currently held in Nigerian correctional facilities. Of this number, 53,178 are awaiting trial, many for non-violent or minor offenses. In Ogun State alone, the Ibara facility, designed for 700 inmates, now holds 1,468. Similarly, the Oba correctional centre, with a capacity of 850, houses 999 inmates. Conditions are grim. Idris’ cell was located next to the prison kitchen, intensifying the heat and congestion. “The food is terrible. Rice is served only twice a week. Other days, it’s garri and beans. Eat too much soup, and you end up with a disability—we called it Sapa ti mu mi lepon,” he said, referring to extreme hunger-related ailments. We Died of Ulcers, Measles and Madness’ Access to healthcare in the prisons is abysmal. According to Idris, many inmates died from treatable conditions like ulcers or lost their sanity due to diseases like measles. “They give only paracetamol. In serious cases, your family must foot the bill,” he revealed. “Two people ran mad from untreated measles.” Correctional Centres Now Breed Criminals – Ex-Inmate Rather than reform, Idris believes prisons now function as training grounds for hardened criminals. “Some people enter for minor theft and come out as armed robbers. Those convicted of capital crimes take them under their wings, and they return to society worse than they went in,” he said. He called for alternatives like community service for minor offenses, decrying how trivial crimes lead to prolonged incarceration and deeper criminal entrenchment. Inmates Plead for Amnesty Ayomide Olagoke, another inmate at Ibara Correctional Centre and a master’s degree holder in Banking and Finance, echoed the call for reforms. Speaking during his convocation ceremony, where he earned a degree in theology from the West African College for Christian Missions, he urged the government to act. “We are reformed and deserve a second chance. People are dying every day. Husbands and wives are locked up for up to nine years awaiting trial. What becomes of their children?” he asked. Chief Judge, Controller Raise Alarm Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has also decried the appalling state of the correctional facilities. During a recent visit to Sagamu Correctional Centre, she noted that inmates were forced to stand or sit due to lack of space. “Some inmates have been awaiting trial since 2013—12 years in custody without conviction,” she lamented. Ogun State Controller of Corrections, Abioye Adesina, confirmed the persistent overcrowding despite repeated decongestion efforts. He appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun for more operational vehicles to improve logistics. Reforms Exist Only on Paper – Legal Expert Legal practitioner and law lecturer Ogaga Ediru criticised the implementation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019, saying its decongestion measures are largely ignored. “Section 12 of the Act mandates urgent action once a facility exceeds capacity. But in practice, nothing is done,” Ediru said. He warned that overcrowding severely impacts hygiene, nutrition, healthcare, and facilitates disease outbreaks. “Section 23 of the Act mandates proper healthcare for inmates, yet overcrowding renders this provision ineffective,” he added. Ediru blamed the sluggish pace of justice for the crisis, noting that many inmates are locked up for minor offenses longer than the law allows. He advocated for systemic reforms, including: “We must treat criminal justice reform as a national emergency. Until then, correctional centres will remain congested warehouses of human despair,” he concluded. Source: By DAILY POST Staff WriterAbeokuta | August 4, 2025

By Kamal Yalwa August 2, 2025 The Federal Government has inaugurated a major environmental restoration initiative in Jigawa State with the launch of a project to plant 50 million date palm trees, aimed at combating desert encroachment and restoring degraded land in northern Nigeria. The project was officially flagged off by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, in collaboration with the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State and the Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) during a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the agency. Held under the theme “Sustaining the Momentum – Ten Years of NAGGW’s Contributions to Environmental Sustainability,” the event underscored the government’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development in the Sahel region. The Minister described the initiative as a crucial intervention to address the growing threat of desertification, which continues to displace communities, degrade farmlands, and threaten food security in the North. “This ambitious project will not only mitigate the harsh effects of climate change and desertification but will also enhance livelihoods, improve food security, and generate green jobs for thousands of Nigerians,” Lawal stated. According to the NAGGW, the date palm trees—well-suited to arid environments—will be planted across key frontline states affected by desert encroachment, with Jigawa serving as the starting point due to its critical ecological vulnerability. The project is also expected to bolster economic activities in rural communities through the commercial value of date palm fruits, fostering both environmental and economic resilience. Stakeholders present at the event praised the Federal Government’s continued investment in climate adaptation strategies, and reaffirmed support for the Great Green Wall programme—Nigeria’s contribution to the African Union’s vision of restoring 100 million hectares of land across the continent’s drylands by 2030.