Author: Naija Daily News

The Dangote Group has dismissed reports of mass staff layoffs at its multi-billion-dollar Petroleum Refinery, insisting that its ongoing reorganisation exercise affects only a small number of employees and is aimed at safeguarding operations from repeated acts of sabotage. In a statement posted on its official X account on Friday, the company explained that the restructuring was necessary to address safety concerns and improve operational efficiency following incidents of internal sabotage that posed risks to human life and facility operations. “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery wishes to clarify recent reports concerning the ongoing reorganisation within its facility. This exercise is not…

By Deborah Nnamdi Armed bandits stormed a mosque in Yandoto community, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Friday morning, killing at least five worshippers and abducting several others. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the attackers opened fire during prayers, leaving five people dead on the spot before herding an unspecified number of worshippers into the forest. The incident sparked panic across the community, as residents later gathered for the funeral of the victims.“We pray Allah to forgive their shortcomings, accept them as martyrs, and bring an end to this bloodshed in our land,” a community elder…

By Deborah Nnamdi Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Rivers State Pensions Board. The directive was contained in a Government Special Announcement issued on Friday evening in Port Harcourt by the State Head of Service, Mrs. Inyingi Brown, and obtained by our correspondent. According to the statement, the functions of the dissolved board will now be handled by the Office of the State Accountant General until a new board is constituted. The governor further directed members of the defunct board to hand over all properties and assets in their possession to the Director…

By Deborah Nnamdi The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has hailed the donation of a newly constructed canine facility by the German government, describing it as a major boost to Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs. The state-of-the-art complex, located in Lagos, was commissioned on Friday by NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.). In a statement issued in Abuja by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Marwa said the facility would enhance NDLEA’s operational capacity, particularly in narcotics detection at airports, seaports, and border points. “The quality of the infrastructure at…

The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, has dismissed criticism over delays in implementing the 2025 budget, insisting the process reflects transparency and careful economic planning. Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday, Agbese commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a commitment to sustainable growth and accountability. He singled out the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for what he called “meticulous efforts to align Nigeria’s economy with current realities.” Signed into law in December 2024, the N28.7 trillion 2025 budget allocated N4.91 trillion to defence, N4.06 trillion…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to set up a medical team to assess the health condition of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday while ruling on Kanu’s application seeking transfer to a private ward at the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical attention over alleged life-threatening ailments. The judge ruled that the NMA team, comprising between eight and ten members—including the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital or his representative—must evaluate both Kanu’s current…

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Mutawakilu Ibrahim, for allegedly stabbing his grandparents to death during an argument over food at their residence in Kofar Dawanau Quarters, Dala Local Government Area. Police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, in a statement on Thursday, said the tragic incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. and was reported at the Dala Divisional Police Headquarters. According to the police, Ibrahim, suspected toF have been under the influence of intoxicants at the time, attacked his grandfather, Muhammad Dansokoto, 75, and grandmother, Hadiza Tasidi, 65, with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds. The victims were…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has officially withdrawn its “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative following widespread confusion and pushback from local governments in Japan. In a statement issued Thursday, JICA said the program—first unveiled in August during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9)—was intended to designate four Japanese municipalities as “hometowns” for four African countries to encourage cultural and economic exchanges. However, the agency acknowledged that the use of the term “hometown” and its plan to assign roles to local governments sparked misunderstandings at home and placed unnecessary burdens on the four selected…

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday announced plans to present a budget of over ₦1 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, aimed at consolidating socio-economic and infrastructural development across the state. A statement by the State’s Press Unit revealed that the revelation was made at a citizens’ engagement on the 2026 budget at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba. Oborevwori, who was represented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, said 67 per cent of the budget would be dedicated to capital expenditure, while 33 per cent would go to recurrent costs. He explained that the…

The average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) dropped by 22.32% in August 2025, falling to N6,404.02 from N8,243.79 recorded in July. This was revealed in the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report titled “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) Price Watch”, released on Thursday. On a year-on-year basis, the August 2025 figure reflects a marginal decline of 0.40% compared to N6,430.02 in August 2024. Similarly, the average retail price of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder fell by 21.42% month-on-month, dropping from N20,609.48 in July 2025 to N16,195.07 in August. However, on an annual basis,…