Electoral officer rescued as one killed, others injured in Kontagora election violence

By: Zagazola Makama

One person was killed while several others, including security personnel, sustained injuries during a violent attack by thugs at a polling unit in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred at Central Ward, Bashari Polling Unit, during the local government council elections.

According to the sources , the Electoral Officer (EO) for Kontagora LGA, Mr. Umar Abdulkadir, was held hostage and threatened by thugs before being rescued by a patrol team that responded to a distress call.

The rescue operation, however, turned violent as the thugs engaged in a serious fracas, resulting in the death of one Abdullahi Bala, 60, who was stabbed during the attack, while one Shehu Habibu sustained injuries to his right hand.

The security operatives attached to the electoral office were also attacked and injured, and one patrol vehicle was vandalised during the incident.

The deceased and the injured victims were taken to the General Hospital, Kontagora, for autopsy and medical treatment.

The command said investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest all the perpetrators involved in the election-day violence.

Electoral officer rescued as one killed, others injured in Kontagora election violence

Backbone Infrastructure Ltd Secures $50B Funding for Ondo 500,000bpd Refinery, Free Zone Development

By: Michael Mike

Following the successful execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Backbone Infrastructure Ltd and the Ondo State Government, through the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), for the construction of a 500,000 barrels-per-day refinery and the development of a 1,471-hectare Sunshine Free Trade Zone in the Ilaje area of Ondo State in July, Backbone has secured project funding exceeding $50 billion for both projects through a joint venture agreement with its partner, NEFEX Holdings Limited of Canada.

The team, which arrived in Nigeria last Sunday, is set to visit Ondo State to interact with the State Government Officials and pay a courtesy call on the Executive Governor, HE Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The BINL team will be led by the Chairman, HE Senator Ken Nnamani, including other Board members and the Executive management team led by Henry Owonka.

The meeting will explore the roadmap towards commencement of the projects, including presentations with ONDIPA and visits to the project sites and engagement with the host communities led by the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Obateru Akinrutan.

Speaking on the refinery financiers, BINL’s Vice-President for Corporate Services, Mr Wale Adekola, disclosed that NEFEX Petroline is involved in engineering and construction services for ports, terminals and logistics facilities, including pipelines and facilities in the Oil and Gas Industry.

Their specialty also includes port and infrastructure development, petrochemical trading and supply, investment and project management.

Adekola stated, ‘’With operations across the Middle East, Europe, North America, and beyond, NEFEX Petroline combines the advantages of a global network with deep local understanding. The firm maintains partnerships with leading global financial institutions to secure multi-currency credit lines and liquidity support for large-scale operations.’’

‘’Our partnership with NEFEX opens the next chapter for the commencement of BINL Refinery development, ‘’ the BINL executive added.

BINL, which operates from offices in Abuja, London and Zug, Switzerland, is also exploring a strategic partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to drive the development of the ultra-modern refinery complex.

BINL initiative would provide a critical lifeline, easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves and enhancing national energy security.

It said its corporate social responsibility strategy would prioritise education, local employment quotas and infrastructure development in surrounding communities.

The BINL refinery will provide petroleum products for local consumption, feedstock for other local industries and petroleum products for the international market.

The refinery project includes the construction of roads, storage tanks, loading bays, terminals and handling equipment. The scope of the Free Trade Zone Project includes the development of the required infrastructure and facilities for the effective operation and management of the Free Trade Zone.

The projected $50billion investments in the refinery and FTZ are expected to change the landscape of infrastructure in Ondo state while transforming the social and economic status of the people.

Adekola applauded Governor Aiyedatiwa for his commitment and robust support for the projects which have attracted a groundswell of approval from the people of the state across the globe.

‘’We commend the governor for opening the state to genuine investors and creating the right environment to partner with investors, local and international.’’

Backbone Infrastructure Ltd Secures $50B Funding for Ondo 500,000bpd Refinery, Free Zone Development

Mali drone strikes kills dozens of civilians at wedding ceremony

By: Zagazola Makama

A drone strike reportedly launched by the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) has killed more than twenty civilians, including women and children, during a wedding ceremony in the locality of Beydi, between Gossi and Inabaw, in the Timbuktu region.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that that the incident occurred on Thursday when a drone targeted the site of the ceremony, turning what was supposed to be a moment of joy into a tragedy.

Residents described the aftermath as horrific, with mutilated bodies, burned children, and grieving relatives crying in distress amidst the rubble.

The drone came without warning and dropped explosives directly on the wedding gathering. We lost many people men, women, and children.

Sources confirmed that at least 20 civilians were confirmed dead, while several others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities.

The Malian authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident. However, independent civil society organizations have condemned the strike, describing it as one of the deadliest targeting errors since the junta took power in 2021.

The attack reignited growing concerns about the military’s increasing reliance on aerial strikes in civilian-populated areas amid its ongoing campaign against armed jihadist groups in the north.

The incident comes amid widespread criticism of the junta for alleged human rights abuses and clandestine dealings with jihadist factions linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).

Northern Mali has remained a flashpoint of violence since 2012 when insurgent and separatist groups seized large swathes of territory. Despite successive military operations, instability persists, with both jihadist and government forces accused of atrocities against civilians.

In recent months, the junta, supported by Russian Wagner Group mercenaries, has intensified drone operations in the Timbuktu and Gao regions, leading to growing fears among locals of indiscriminate attacks.

The Beydi strike risks deepening mistrust between communities and the armed forces, potentially fuelling recruitment for extremist groups

Mali drone strikes kills dozens of civilians at wedding ceremony