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Maiduguri residents shy away from retail centers for petrol

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Maiduguri residents shy away from retail centers for petrol

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Commuters in Maiduguri the Borno State capital have virtually abandoned filling stations as the cost of petrol hit N575 even at nnpc retail shops.

For the first time in the history of sales of premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol, dealers and station managers of the product are stuck with old stuck with customers shying away from them.

And this is because regardless of the new prices due to the removal of the subsidy, most residents are sticking to their old budgets by buying only what will not cripple them financially or eat up the money for house keeping.

A drive round the metropolis indicated that the long queues have disappeared while very few cars were seen at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (nnpc) retail station Ngomari Airport area and even Gumalti filling station which used to have a fairly low price compared to its competitors in Bulunkutu or pompomari bypass.

For commercial tricycles which are used to buying the product for as high as N650 per litre, they have rather resolved to abandon their regular visits to the black market for retail filing stations like Matrix and total Bama road where it’s over N100 naira cheaper without long queues as was the case before the lifting of subsidies by President Bola Tinubu.

As a result, the booming black market of jerricans in the metropolis is beginning to collapse in areas with enough retail centres except for extremely rural outskirts of Jere, konduga, Mafa and beyond that black market is a must because the retail centres are non existent.

Many residents including civil servants affected by the hike of the product have resolved to either trek to work or wait for the Borno express buses which charges only N50 naira per bus stop because it is highly subsidized by the government.

Some of those who have cars and spoke to this reporter on their ordeal, drive cars alternatively to work or just abandon same at home and use only when necessary with a top up of 5 or 10 litres instead of full tank.

Federal workers along Bama road patronize mostly Oando, total and Hadiza where the long queues have disappeared with sometimes only three cars in sight.

” Cars usage now have become only necessary to drop my kids in school and pick them up later in the day” said pharmacist kachalla who runs a retail pharmacy shop in the city’s open theatre area.

As for the residents generally especially market sellers, the new price of the commercial tricycles also known as napep are cut throat “We have no choice but to transfer the price to our products.

“But because of the insurgency which is still biting our land, we cannot increase up to 50 percent for now. We are transferring the costs to our goods with a human face so that we will survive.

” This is because I sell perishable products like tomatoes, onions and potatoes. Too much increase may harm and scare our people away especially resident idps and we don’t want to have to throw the products away” said Mallam Usman in Baga road market.

A top government house official who wanted anonymity said he was going through harsh times paying the transportation for his three daughters schooling at University of Maiduguri: “You can’t believe it, I give my daughters N1000 each from this 1000 housing estate here to University of Maiduguri where they are studying on a daily basis. Calculate that in a month”.

With the calling off of the strike by the organized labor, most professional bodies are waiting patiently to see how the promised palliatives would be channeled.

“Either through the executive of the unions or through the salaries of each individual worker using an organized channel if the beneficiary is a non governmental person.” said the top government official.

Maiduguri residents shy away from retail centers for petrol

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Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

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Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

By: Michael Mike

Governors of the six Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba have called for a reappraisal of strategies in the ongoing war against insurgency in the region.

Rising from the 11th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) held in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on Thursday, the governors, in a communique, noted with dismay the rising activities of the insurgents in the subregion and called for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.

The Forum while commending the Federal Government in its effort at improving the security of the country and resolve to collaborate and support in all matters to address emerging security issues in the country. however noted that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education and reducing poverty.

The Forum promised its commitment to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes.

The Forum also noted that the poor road network in the subregion is contributing to the insecurity in the region, and called on Mr. President to as a matter of urgent concern address the issue of abandoned project which is critical to addressing poverty, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the subregion.

The Forum also recommitted itself to the opening up of the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition and the industrialization of the subregion to provide employment to the teeming youths who are vulnerable to recruitment into the army of the insurgents.

It also noted the role of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) in the development of the subregion and
called on the Commission to be more engaging with the various state governments on development needs and prioritize transportation infrastructure, education, and health, while equally calling on the Commission to rededicate itself to its core mandate which is to rebuild the subregion after the devastation of the insurgency and be more proactive in the delivery of existing project in the subregion by keeping track with project delivery timelines.

The Forum noted the significance of the Nigerian Law school Yola Campus within the region and resolved to support its
expansion by providing additional hostel accommodation, water supply and other facilities to improve the admission capacity of the campus and make it more conducive for training, and resolved to work closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) by providing office space in each state, support the enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children into formal school, provision of vocational and technical education as well as develop a unified approach to addressing the menace in the subregion.

The next date for the meeting was fixed for 27th – 29th, July, 2025 in Jalingo, Taraba state, and at the meeting were Governors of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, with the Governor of Bauchi state represented by the Deputy Governor

Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

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Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks

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Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks

…… Call for community engagement and collaboration with security agencies

By: Our Reporter

In Rann, the Borno State Deputy Governor His Excellency Dr Umar Kadafur led a government delegation on a condolence visit to Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area.

It could be recalled that a few days ago at the Furunduma area in Kala balge, an IED explosion claimed lives of over twenty people and some injured during the attack that claimed several lives and suspected to be a Boko Haram insurgents.

During the visit, the Deputy Governor and other members of the delegation prayed for the departed souls and wished them eternal rest . They also prayed for the families and the entire community to bear the irreparable loss.

Dr Kadafur condemned in the strongest terms the heinous act of the insurgents, calling for intense prayers to avert future occurrences and emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts with security operatives to sustain peace that was regained in the region.

The delegation visited Rann General Hospital to sympathize with those injured in the attack, praying for their quick recovery. The Deputy Governor announced that all medical bills for the injured would be covered.

The Deputy Governor made cash donations of N300,000 to families of the 27 affected victims and also a cash support as a morale booster to military personnel, Police force, Local vigilante, Kesh Kesh and Civilian JTF , including youths group at Rann.

The Chairman of Kala Balge Local Government Area, Hon. Zanna Ajid Musa Ajid expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum , Deputy Governor, and the delegation for their timely support and condolences.

…….. In Chibok LGA

The delegation led by His Excellency, Dr Umar Usman Kadafur also proceeded to Chibok town on a similar condolence visit to the families of affected attack by Boko Haram insurgents, whereby fourteen people were killed, church and houses were burnt down with properties worth millions of Naira.

The deputy governor said, “We were here to sympathise with you and the families of recent attacks, lives and properties were lost whereby we can only condone you and pray for the deceased. We are here to support the families and victims but we cannot replace what has been lost, life is irreparable “.

Dr Kadafur condemned the attack and supported the families with similar cash support of 300,000 to victims families, assured that the government will support them in rebuilding their destroyed church and houses.

Members of the delegation which includes
Member Borno State House of Assembly representing kala Balge LGA Hon.Dige Mohammed , Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Former Chairman kala Balge LGA Zanna Jabu. Member House of Assembly representing chibok LGA, Former Chairman chibok and Hon.Hauwa Mai Musa .

Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks

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One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom

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One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom

By: Zagazola Makama

A man was killed and another critically injured on Tuesday night following an ambush by unknown gunmen in Kum village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The victims, identified as Joshua Ezekiel, 48, and Dung Jatau, 51, were reportedly riding on a motorcycle along the Riyom to Kum road at about 8:15 p.m. when they were attacked by armed men who opened fire on them.

Residents said the injured were rushed to the General Hospital in Riyom, where Ezekiel was pronounced dead on arrival. Jatau is currently receiving medical treatment and is said to be in stable condition.

Tension remains high in the area as locals express concern over the safety of rural commuters, especially during evening hours.

Community leaders in Riyom have called for calm and urged residents to remain vigilant. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the attackers.

Police said they have lunched investigation into the incident.

One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom

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