News
NNPCL-Dangote Refineries rift: HOMEF Demands Transparency, Investigation of Claims on Import of Toxic Fuels

NNPCL-Dangote Refineries rift: HOMEF Demands Transparency, Investigation of Claims on Import of Toxic Fuels
By: Michael Mike
Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has demanded transparency and an investigation into allegations of importing and foisting ‘dirty’ fuels on Nigerians.
HOMEF, in a statement on Wednesday, advocated this in reaction to the feud between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refineries, noting that the NNPCL’s inability to refine petroleum products has been an enormous shame and embarrassment to the nation.
The statement said over the decades, NNPCL’s poor performance has forced Nigeria into the vice grip of forces of exploitation of colonial proportions, making her the largest exporter of crude oil and, at the same time, the largest importer of refined products of dubious quality.
Executive Director, HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, in the statement, noted that the company has epitomised one of the worst that can be imagined of any raw material exporter post- colonial state anywhere in the world.
He explained that while HOMEF acknowledges the high ecological costs of the entire petroleum industry value chain, it regrets that the failure of the comatose NNPC refineries is a critical factor that has allowed toxic bush refineries to proliferate to fill the yawning gaps.
Bassey said: “The importation of refined petroleum products has equally foisted heavy economic pressures on the hapless citizens of Nigeria. The arrival of the Dangote Refinery has its own huge ecological baggage, especially regarding the plight of neighboring communities and the general environment. Besides, there are bigger issues related to the creation and operation of what has come to be known as economic zones of exemption.
“HOMEF is alarmed by the cloudy controversies around the Dangote Refinery. The role of the NNPC in the unfolding disputes highlights the opacity of the sector and the inbuilt boobytraps in the regulatory frameworks under which the sector operates. Nigeria entered the oil refining business shortly after independence, with the first refinery built in Port Harcourt to meet domestic needs and curb overreliance on importation.
“The Nigerian government acquired the refinery by successive increase of shareholding starting at 50% in 1965 and increased to 60% in 1972 and taking up sole ownership by 1978. The name also had a systematic shift from the Nigeria Petroleum Refining Company to NNPC Refinery, Port Harcourt.”
Bassey recalled that three other refineries were set up in response to the growing demand for refined products. They are Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, with 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity and commissioned in 1978; Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, with 110,000 bpd capacity, commissioned in 1980; and the New Port Harcourt Refinery with 150,000 bpd capacity commissioned in 1989. The total installed capacity of all four refineries was 445,000 bpd.
He said: “By the early 1990s, the military government at the time ordered the NNPC to close all its accounts and transfer them to the Central Bank of Nigeria. This arguably marked the beginning of the downward spiral in the performance of the refineries that once served the local petroleum needs and the contributory feedstock needs of other dependent industries.
“Successive “democratic” governments continued to fan the embers of this unproductive but self-serving arrangement, solidifying it with Bills that followed and passed by cronies hooded in different cloaks. The sad realities in the sector include poor governance, poor or non-existent turn around maintenance for the refineries, industrial-scale oil theft, and even the appointments to offices for political control as seen in having serving presidents appointing themselves as Ministers of Petroleum.”
Bassey noted that the conundrum of dependency on exporting raw crude oil and importing refined products, along with corrupt subsidy regimes, remains intractable to date.
According to the environmentalist, the Dangote Refinery’s 650,000 bpd capacity could boost Nigeria’s refining capacity and meet its domestic petroleum needs. He said that the news that Nigeria, through the NNPC Ltd, would have a 20% share in the refinery raised questions, including why the corporation could not focus on making its own refineries work.
He said: “Now we hear that the 20% investment stymied at 7.2% due to the inability of the supposedly profit-making company to meet its financial obligations on schedule. Before the recent closed-door meetings between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Dangote Refineries, there were insinuations and counter-insinuations suggesting an in-fighting. We hear of disputes over the quality of refined products and issues of whether full approvals have been obtained by the private refinery for it to even commence operations.”
Bassey quoted the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) as saying: “The refiners failed in operational approaches because there are operational standards for crude oil supply. These standards go along with international best practices. The local refiners will not put payment instruments in place as expected. They were not also revising delayed vessels at the right time. They will not fix the vessel to pick up the crude at the right time, or they will bring the wrong vessel specifications. These are operational inefficiencies on the part of the local refiners.”
Reacting to the situation, Bassey said: “It is time for the NNPC to come clear on the questions over the quality of products imported petroleum products as well as those coming out of the Dangote Refinery. Nigerians also deserve to know what volume of shares it holds in the refinery.
“The public deserves clarity about what is also going on with regard to subsidies on imported petroleum products since the purported elimination of subsidies provided one of the planks aiding the economic strangulation of the Nigerian peoples.”
Bassey also demanded a participatory social and environmental audit of all the country’s refineries and put in place environmental management plans to ensure the safety of fence-line communities in Lekki, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.
Also, HOMEF’s Fossil Politics Programme Manager Stephen Oduware said: “If anything is clear, it is that there are huge transparency questions over the sectoral regulatory frameworks and that the artificially created complexities orchestrated by the NNPCL have heaped an avoidable burden on the masses.”
HOMEF called on the federal government to ensure the operations of all its refineries and equally activate an audit of the unfolding crisis.
“The government should also ensure a depoliticization of the petroleum sector. Another important step will be to ensure that the president of Nigeria does not double as the head of the Petroleum Resources Ministry.”
NNPCL-Dangote Refineries rift: HOMEF Demands Transparency, Investigation of Claims on Import of Toxic Fuels
News
Borno Agency for the Great Green Wall Plants Trees at Key Infrastructure Projects to Combat Desertification

Borno Agency for the Great Green Wall Plants Trees at Key Infrastructure Projects to Combat Desertification
The Borno State Agency for the Great Green Wall (BAGGW) has taken significant strides in its mission to mitigate climate change, combat desertification, and restore the environment in Borno State. As part of its ongoing efforts to address desert encroachment, the Agency has launched a tree planting initiative at newly commissioned infrastructures across the state.

Following the directives of His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum CON, the Executive Governor of Borno State, the Agency recently planted a total of 700 seedlings at several key locations. These efforts are aimed at replacing depleted vegetation due to urban development and contributing to the greening of Borno.
By: Our Reporter
At the Higher Day Islamic School in Miringa, 400 seedlings were planted, marking a significant contribution to the environmental sustainability of the school’s grounds. The Biu Dental and Eye Hospital, another important infrastructure project recently commissioned by Governor Zulum, saw 200 seedlings planted to enhance the ecological balance around the hospital. Additionally, 100 seedlings were planted at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Shaffa, located in the Hawul Local Government Area, further reinforcing the state’s commitment to environmental preservation.

In a move to create lasting green spaces across the state, the agency also initiated the establishment of the ‘Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum CON Green Zone,’ a dedicated area aimed at counteracting the effects of desertification and promoting environmental sustainability.
Amb. Usman Aliyu, the Director-General of the Borno State Agency for the Great Green Wall, confirmed that the tree planting initiatives are part of the broader goals of the Agency to create green zones within major urban and rural centers of Borno. As part of this, the Agency continues to engage in activities such as soil restoration, afforestation, and community awareness programs, all designed to protect and preserve Borno’s natural environment for future generations.

In addition to the tree planting efforts, the Borno Agency for the Great Green Wall is actively working to combat the effects of climate change in the state by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, supporting local farmers, and rehabilitating degraded land. These initiatives are crucial not only for restoring the environment but also for improving the livelihoods of Borno’s residents.
This ongoing commitment to environmental restoration aligns with Governor Zulum’s vision for a greener, more sustainable Borno, and sets a strong example for other regions facing similar environmental challenges. The planting of trees at these commissioned infrastructures is a powerful symbol of Borno State’s determination to tackle desertification and climate change while ensuring a healthy future for its people.
Through these collective efforts, the Borno State Agency for the Great Green Wall continues to lead the way in creating a greener, more resilient environment for all.
Borno Agency for the Great Green Wall Plants Trees at Key Infrastructure Projects to Combat Desertification
Crime
NSCDC Arrests 17 Vandals for Attacks on Pipelines in Niger Delta

NSCDC Arrests 17 Vandals for Attacks on Pipelines in Niger Delta
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 17 suspected vandals for their alleged role in the killing of an officer of the corps during an operation in the Niger Delta.
A statement by the spokesman of the corps, Afolabi Babawale on Monday read that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad [CG’S SIS] in a tactically coordinated Intelligence base operations have arrested 17 suspects for the alleged role played in a renewed hostility attack on oil and gas Installations in the Niger Delta region.

They were accused of attacking NSCDC Operatives and Tantita Security Service base which led to the killing of Assistant Superintendent Umar Aliyu with Service number 6363 and stealing of a speed boat belonging to Tantita Security Services.
Speaking on the arrest, the CG’S SIS Boss Commandant Apollo Dandaura hinted that a high profile syndicates of 17 sea pirates were arrested by his men in synergy with other sisters security agencies, following an intelligence base coordinated operations at Tonogbe, Ekeremo Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on 6th March, 2025.
He said: “Earlier in January 21st, 2025, there was an attack against the Joint Task Force combining operatives of the NSCDC and Tantita Security Services at their Base in Torugbene II unit at Ekeremo LGA in Bayelsa State by suspected vandals and Sea pirates who were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons”.
“Upon arrival at the base, they shot sporadically at the officers and innocent civilians which led to the killing of ASC Umar Aliyu, his Ak 47 official Riffle was carted away, Ebikame Seimeneyefa of Tantita Security was shot and Tantita Speed Boat was also hijacked and stolen”.

Dandaura disclosed that an intensive undercover and investigative operation was carried out in synergy with sisters security agencies and Tantita, which led to successful tracking and arrest of the 17 suspects.
He said: “We mounted a round the clock and relentless onslaught against the suspects in collaborations with sisters security agencies and the Tantita Security and succeeded in smashing the 17 deadly Sea pirates led by a notorious vandal, kidnapper and armed robber called Ziakede Amatu, who hails from Norgbene community in Ekeremo, Bayelsa State and has been terrorizing the community and all neighbouring states.
“From our preliminary investigation carried out by the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad squad, the suspects volunteered the following information stating that the same syndicate launched attack against the State Honourable Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Lokpobiri Heineken at his residence on the 1st of January this year.
“According to the kingpin, while engaging in illegal refining of petroleum products in 2023 at Abonima Rivers State, he worked under another notorious suspect called “Emergency ” (Original name unknown); they had 7 Ak 47 which was kept safe in the forest but after refining the products one day the suspect Emergency left suddenly and never returned.
“Ziakede Amatu later migrated from Rivers to Bayelsa State and hinted some Elders in his community about the seven [7] Ak 47 Riffles in which he was advised to withdraw them from the hide out and use them for protection of the community.
“The Suspect, Ziakede after a failed attempt to join the Tantita Security Services, procured Tantita Security Services uniforms to use in his renewed hostility attack on oil installations in order to divert attention, disguise and destroy the good work of Tantita Security while carrying out their dastardly act.
“Further confession revealed that the suspects embarked on this mischievous blackmail against the Tantita Security Chairman, Ekpemupolo Owiezide Government aka Tompolo since they could not infiltrate and get some Surveillance contracts sublet to them; hence the move to vandalise Oil and Gas Installations and this culminated to the attack on NSCDC and Tantita Operatives, leading to the killing of the late officer.”
The exhibits recovered are one AK47 Riffle, two empty Ak47 magazines, charms, 15 Tantita Security uniform (shirt and trouser), 15 Tantita Security T-shirt and 15 black boots.
TheCommander CG’S SIS thanked the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi for enabling the Squad to carry out her responsibilities with necessary logistic support which has engendered its remarkable achievements in fighting crimes and criminalities, combating illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta, carrying out Investigative operations and dislodging criminal minded persons from their hideouts.
He noted that with the ongoing thorough investigation, other suspects would be apprehended in due course and made to face the full wrath of the law.
NSCDC Arrests 17 Vandals for Attacks on Pipelines in Niger Delta
Crime
Man Arrested for Killing Sister-in-Law in Kano

Man Arrested for Killing Sister-in-Law in Kano
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old man, Anas Yakubu, for allegedly killing his sister-in-law, Fatima Adamu, in Baura Village, Albasu Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 16 at about 12:30 p.m. following a misunderstanding between the suspect and the victim.
“Yakubu allegedly hit Adamu, 35, with a pestle on her head, causing severe injuries. She was rushed to the General Hospital in Albasu, where she was confirmed dead by medical personnel,” the spokesperson said.
Police have arrested the suspect, and released the victim’s body to her relatives for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Man Arrested for Killing Sister-in-Law in Kano
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