Author: Nnamdi Deborah

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals is set to become the world’s largest refinery by 2028 following plans to expand its current 700,000-barrels-per-day capacity. Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, disclosed this on Monday at the preliminary signing ceremony for the proposed initial public offering (IPO) of the refinery. The facility, which is currently Africa’s largest refinery and the world’s largest single-train refinery, is expected to take the global lead once the expansion is completed. Dangote described the proposed IPO as a significant milestone for the company, Nigeria and Africa. He said the development of the refinery demonstrated what…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a convicted cocaine trafficker who allegedly returned to the illicit drug trade after serving a five-year prison sentence, this time operating under a new identity and disguising himself as a herbal tea businessman. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Dunu Bethel Ebubechukwu, was arrested during a sting operation at Article Market, opposite Trade Fair Market, in the Ojo area of Lagos State, on Friday, September 4, 2026. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the arrest followed intelligence-led investigations into illicit drug shipments, including a 1.2kg consignment…

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s COAS Special Intervention Battalion 7, Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have dislodged terrorist elements and recovered weapons, ammunition, and motorcycles during a clearance operation in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The operation was carried out as part of ongoing military offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and restoring security to communities across the North-West. In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesman for Sector 2, 8 Division, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, said the troops advanced through identified terrorist strongholds, including Manu, Alkasim, and Kandam villages, as well as the Magarya Forest axis. According…

A power surge has been identified as the preliminary cause of a fire that destroyed parts of a residential duplex, a boys’ quarters apartment, household furniture and a shuttle bus at Mopol Base Junction, along the Old Amansea-Awka Road in Anambra State. A power surge occurs when there is a sudden and temporary increase in electrical voltage above the normal level supplied to a building. Such a surge can overload electrical wiring and appliances, potentially causing overheating, sparks and electrical fires. The fire incident occurred on Saturday evening, September 5, 2026, with the blaze reportedly starting in one of the…

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to set up an independent team of experts to investigate the alleged failure to account for ₦33.75 billion reportedly paid to 3.29 million vulnerable Nigerian households. Atiku pledged in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following concerns raised in an audit report over the cash-transfer programme. The former vice president described the audit findings as a serious indictment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing the government of removing fuel subsidy, increasing taxes and…

No fewer than 12 shops have been affected by a fire outbreak at a shopping complex in the Mandate Market area of Ilorin, Kwara State. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday opposite Alkad Filling Station, with the fire reportedly breaking out at about 1:14 a.m. The complex, which houses about 40 shops, was already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the scene. The spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, disclosed this in a statement made available in Ilorin. Adekunle said the fire service deployed two fire appliances to the scene immediately after receiving…

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Kosisochukwu Edward Ibekwe, over the alleged murder of 23-year-old nursing student, Chiamaka Vivian Chilaka, in Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state. Chilaka, an ND II student of the College of Nursing Sciences, Alor, was found dead at her off-campus residence on June 14, 2026, in a case that sparked public outrage and widespread calls for justice. Following the incident, the deceased’s landlord, Ogochukwu Ugoeze, was arrested and questioned after residents raised suspicions about his possible involvement. The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department…

The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state over suspected cases of diphtheria. The directive, which takes effect from Monday, September 7, 2026, was announced as part of measures to prevent the spread of the infectious disease among pupils, students, and school staff. Diphtheria is a serious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that mainly affects the nose and throat. It can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and can cause breathing difficulties and other severe complications if not…

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered an alleged diversion and illegal sale of service rifles by some of its personnel. The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the activities of the corps’ Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS). Afolabi said the investigation led to the arrest of an NSCDC personnel at the corps’ headquarters who was allegedly involved in the illegal sale of a service rifle. According to him, the investigation was conducted by the CG’s SIS, headed by Commander Dandaura Appollos. He said the unnamed…

The convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Borno State, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, was reportedly ambushed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Thursday evening. The incident occurred along the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway as Gubio and members of his entourage were returning to Maiduguri after a thank-you visit to Damasak, a border town in northern Borno State. Damasak is located about 190 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital. According to a security source who spoke on condition of anonymity, suspected insurgents planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the highway. The source said a police armoured vehicle leading the convoy…