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After initial hesitation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has increased the pump price of petrol to N925 per litre at its retail stations in Lagos and N950 per litre in Abuja.
The new price regime, effective from April 2, 2025, represents an increase of N65 from the previous price of N860 per litre in Lagos and an N70 difference from the N880 previously sold in the North.
Recall that last week, MRS and other independent marketers increased the price of petrol, raising its pump price to N930 per litre in Lagos and N960 for residents living in the northern part of the country.
Industry experts said the new increase is a direct fallout of the recent suspension of sales of petroleum products in naira by the Dangote refinery.
This adjustment reflects ongoing changes in Nigeria’s deregulated fuel market and follows shifts in market competition, supply costs, and global oil price trends.
The development also comes against the backdrop of a new leadership at the national oil firm. President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Bayo Ojulari to replace Mele Kyari in the early hours of Wednesday, while also restructuring the NNPCL board.
Our correspondent confirmed that NNPC stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Ikorodu Road now sell at N925 per litre, after initially displaying N930 per litre to its customers.
Also, the NNPCL retail stations at Fadeyi, Ago Palace Way, and Ogba, as well as the NNPC station on College Road, have adjusted their prices to N925. In Ikeja, outlets on Acme Road and the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway have also raised their pump prices to the new rate.
However, not all NNPC stations in Lagos may have updated their prices at the same time due to logistical delays.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the national oil firm station located along the Kubwa expressway increased its price to N950 from N880 per litre. Other stations along Wuse effected the same increase.
This adjustment comes after months of price competition. In March 2025, NNPC reduced its price to N860 per litre to match Dangote Refinery’s lower rates. However, due to rising global oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and changes in crude oil sourcing costs, NNPC has now revised prices upward.
Earlier in 2025, NNPC had sold petrol at N925 per litre in December 2024 before several price shifts. The current rate in Lagos is still lower than in some cities, like Abuja, where prices recently stood at N880 per litre.
Former lawmaker representing Adamawa North in the Senate, Elijah Ishaku Abbo, has alleged that he lost his senatorial seat in the 10th Senate due to what he described as “judicial banditry.”
Abbo made the claim during an interview on Arise News Channel’s PrimeTime show on Wednesday night, monitored by our correspondent.
He accused the judiciary of manipulating the 2023 election outcome against him.
“I lost my senatorial seat through judicial banditry because there is no law that backs what happened,” Abbo asserted. “I believe the judge knows what she did, and that is why she had to send Ken Nnamani to my house to come and beg me.”
According to Abbo, former Senate President Nnamani’s visit was a confirmation of irregularities in the judicial process. “And it’s true, Ken Nnamani is still alive,” he added, emphasising that the former Senate President could corroborate his claims.
The former federal lawmaker further criticised the court’s decision, particularly the cancellation of election results in two out of five local government areas of Adamawa North without ordering a rerun.
“A situation where a judge said that an election that took place in five local governments, and she cancelled the election in two local governments, disenfranchised two local governments, 263 polling units, and did not order a re-election as the law stipulates—that is not the law, that is robbery, that is a coup against democracy,” he maintained.
Abbo also alleged that the judge was pressured to rule against him, claiming that the judicial system was compromised. “Of course, she was pressured, and I have stated it time and time again. Unfortunately, I petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), but the NJC has become a body that only punishes small judges—Magistrates and High Court Judges—but cannot punish big Judges,” he said.
Expressing frustration over what he described as a lack of accountability in the judiciary, Senator Abbo advocated the dissolution of the NJC, arguing that it had failed in its duty.
“They should dismantle the NJC, they are doing nothing,” he declared. “I am advocating that the NBA should be the one punishing judges by passing a vote of no confidence on erring judges,” he added.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had, on October 16, 2023, nullified Abbo’s election and declared Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful winner of the February 25, 2023 senatorial election in Adamawa North.
A man, Godwin Anuka, who was kidnapped by suspected Fulani herders alongside his wife and two children in the Ubulu-Uku area of Delta State, has been killed in the presence of his wife and children.
The Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and Youth Mobilisation to the Delta State Governor, Harrison Gwamnishu, disclosed this in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
Gwamnishu noted that the kidnappers had abducted two persons on March 23 and taken them into the bush while demanding ransom.
He noted that while the kidnappers were hiding in the bush with the two abducted victims, they saw Anuka alongside his wife and two underage children working on their farm.
The SSA noted that the kidnappers proceeded to abduct Anuka and his family and began demanding ransom.
Gwamnishu said, “Mr Godwin Anuka, his wife, and two underage children were kidnapped on March 29, 2025, at their farm in Ubulu-Uku, Delta State. It’s the same five sets of Fulani armed kidnappers that carried out these heinous crimes.
“They kidnapped Chibueze from Ogwashi-Uku, trekked to Ubulu-Uku, and kidnapped Mr Afam. They trekked, crossed the Isah Ogwashi/Ubulu-Uku road to Power Line, and headed to a farm road towards Ani-Uje Ubulu-Uku, where they camped for days and started calling for ransom.
“It was where they camped that they saw Mr Godwin and his family and kidnapped all of them.”
He disclosed that the chairman of the local government mobilised military men to carry out a rescue operation, but after a ransom was paid, the kidnappers released some of the abducted persons, while it was revealed that Anuka was shot dead in the presence of his wife and children.
He wrote, “The Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante team and the Nigerian Army mobilised by the Aniocha South LGA Chairman, Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike, and the Ubulu-Uku Palace made an effort to rescue them.
“Yesterday, after a huge ransom was paid, the kidnappers released Chibueze, Mr Afam, late Godwin’s wife, and two children, and we were told that Mr Godwin was shot and killed right inside the farm in the presence of his wife and children.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, proved abortive as he had yet to respond to calls and messages at the time of filing this report.
PUNCH Metro reported on March 28 that Gwamnishu decried the rise in kidnappings in some parts of the state allegedly perpetrated by some Fulani herders.
Gwamnishu disclosed this while referencing the death of a female land agent, Esther Osaze, whose body was found dead a few days after she was abducted.
While expressing sadness over Esther’s death, the SSA noted that some of the victims were still in the kidnappers’ den because their families could not pay the requested ransom.
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has dismissed accusations that the telecom operator steals customer data, a persistent complaint he says he’s faced in every market during his career, MyJoyOnline, Ghanaian online news portal, reported on Wednesday.
His comments come as a wave of similar concerns sweeps through Nigeria, where subscribers are also pointing fingers at the country’s largest telco, with over 80 million users, and other operators for what they claim is the unfair depletion of their data.
The PUNCH reported on Tuesday that customers have flooded the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission with emails and messages, demanding a probe into unexplained data consumption.
The operators who spoke on the matter denied any system to siphon data, blaming increased usage on shifts from 3G and 4G to 5G networks and heavier video streaming.
At MTN House in Accra, Blewett addressed the widespread belief that data vanishes due to deliberate tampering.
“I’ve heard ‘You’re stealing my data’ in every country I’ve worked—not just at MTN,” he said, reflecting on his long industry tenure, adding, “I swear to God as my witness: we have no reason to steal your data.”
Blewett argued that there’s no financial incentive for such actions, noting his bonus depends on declared revenue.
“If I steal data, I can’t report it—I’d lose my bonus,” he said, seeking to dispel notions of profit-driven manipulation by MTN or its peers.
He attributed rapid data depletion to enhanced networks, not foul play.
“A better network speeds up data use,” he explained.
“YouTube switches to higher resolution on stronger signals—it’s like Pac-Man eating your data. We don’t control that,” he added.
To build trust, Blewett highlighted MTN’s oversight mechanisms. “We’re independently audited—billing errors would fail our financials,” he said, adding that an internal revenue assurance team constantly checks for discrepancies to ensure compliance and accuracy.
“We don’t want revenue leaks or incorrect billing,” he stressed, underscoring MTN’s commitment to transparency amid customer frustration over vanishing data.
Lawmaker representing Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Constituency at the House of Representative, Hon. Joshua Audu Gana, has berated his constituents after some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders, including the local government Chairman, Suleiman Kupanti, expressed dissatisfaction with his stewardship.
Naija News reports that Gana, while addressing PDP stakeholders on Tuesday in the Mokwa local government area, said he cannot answer all the prayers and expectations of the people because he is not God.
Gana said the constituents lack understanding of the different tiers of government, stressing that some of their expectations do not fall under his jurisdiction, and he will direct them to the right channel.
According to the lawmaker, he may not have received funds for constituency projects because he is in the opposition and cannot steal to please them.
The angry legislator said: “I thank God that I am not God. I cannot answer all your prayers. It is only God who will answer all your prayers because the complaints of the people are prayers to God. When you want to score anyone, you will need to understand public office. The money in public office is not my father’s money; it is not my personal money; it is government money.
“They know me, I be old soldier, I no dey fear anything for this life. I am not afraid of anything except God. If you want to score me, go and check the national budget, check the items that fall under Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency and the allocation. Go and check if the projects were 100 per cent funded, then you can come and ask me about it and that is when you can score me.
“But now, when no money has been provided by the federal government, you want me to go and steal? My father is not a thief, none of my family is a thief, and you people will not make me a thief. Whether you try from heaven to earth, I cannot go and steal for what is not provided.
“The party in rulership today is APC and I am in the opposition. When you make a comparison of now to what has happened before, it is different. When you compare one legislator in an APC-ruled government to when PDP was in power, then you are a bad examiner.”
A pregnant woman, Kemi Akinbobola, has tragically passed away after allegedly being denied medical treatment at a private hospital due to her inability to pay a ₦500,000 deposit.
The incident, initially shared on Instagram by her husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, gained widespread attention on social media.
In a heartbreaking video, Kemi, visibly weak, was seen inside a car while her husband pleaded with her to stay conscious.
“My goodness, Kemi, look at me. Stay strong, look at me. Think about your kids, please.
You need to be very strong for me,” Folajimi desperately urged.
According to him, the private hospital refused to provide emergency care without the deposit.
Despite his pleas for immediate attention while he sourced the money, the hospital allegedly turned them away.
“Private hospitals in Nigeria. The doctor told me to deposit 500k, and I begged him to start doing whatever was needed to save my wife, but they drove us out like they didn’t care,” Folajimi recounted.
He added that they were referred to a general hospital in Epe, but Kemi didn’t survive the journey.
“Even the doctor knows that Epe from Lakwe is way too far for such a condition. Before we rushed her to Epe, she was gone,” he lamented.
The video has sparked outrage online, with many expressing anger over the state of healthcare in Nigeria and the alleged negligence of private hospitals.
Efforts by DAILY POST to reach the police public relations officer Benjamin Hundeyin of the Lagos command were unsuccessful
Controversial Nigerian musicians, Speed Darlington and Portable are set to face off in celebrity boxing match.
The match will be held on April 18 2025, at Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos state.
DAILY POST recalls that the fight between the duo started in March after Darlington offered Portable N500,000 to perform at his forthcoming show.
Portable, who described the amount as ridiculous, tagged Darlington “poor”. Noting that he charges N20 million for performance.
“You are inviting me for a show, and you don’t have money. You use my name to promote your show. I charge N20 million, ask around. I don’t know that you are poor. I don’t want to be friends with poor people”.
In his response, Darlington expressed regret for inviting Portable. He said “I regret it because why the insults?”
Portable replied by challenging Darlington to a fight, boasting that he would defeat him just as he did to popular actor, Charles Okocha.
The match has finally been arranged following netizens demand, with the organiser.
Announcing the fight on Instagram the organizer, Mygamerush wrote; “You asked and now it is here. Two street kings’ battle for ultimate street supremacy.
DAILY POST reports that Portable in December 2023 defeated actor Okocha in celebrity boxing match
Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has said he used the recent detention in police custody to correct misconceptions about him, especially claims that he is mentally unstable.
Naija News recalls that Portable was detained and arraigned in court over alleged conspiracy and assault of three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Speaking in an interview on Echo Room, the singer said the leader of the cell voluntarily stepped down for him to take charge, but he declined, insisting the place is not his house.
Portable also shared details about the harsh conditions in the cell, including how new detainees were often beaten, but he was fortunate to have escaped such treatment because he ‘blessed’ the prisoners in cell 4.
According to him, some of his cellmates attempted to engage him in prayers, but he refused, stating that their prayers could not be effective together.
He said, “Thank God I am a Government’s child. They said I am a crãzy person, when I got the government I told them I am not a crãzy. When I entered Cell 4, I blessed them. Normally, they beat new people in the cell; when I got there, the head of the cell dethroned himself for me to become the leader, but I said No, this is not my house. Then I asked what his offence was; he said they accused him of murder. I told him to stay beside me as long as he didn’t kill me.
“A person said we should pray; I said No, God doesn’t answer this kind of prayer. We aren’t in church. One said he had killed one person, another said he killed two people, and another said three people. I haven’t killed anyone, so our prayers cannot work together. Pray on your own.”
[NaijaNews]
Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, better known as Tuface, made a surprise appearance at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Wednesday.
He arrived at the tribunal with his new lover, Natasha Osawaru, who is the Deputy Majority Leader of Edo state House of Assemblym.
The duo appeared in court, spent some minutes, before heading out.
The tribunal is set to deliver judgment on the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State.
Osawaru, the granddaughter of billionaire Gabriel Igbinedion, got engaged by 2Face following his separation from his wife, Annie Marculey.
Since then, the singer and the lawmaker have been spotted together in public on multiple occasions.
Recently, the Edo lawmaker recently updated her Instagram bio to reflect the singer’s surname, Idibia.
The duo appeared in court, spent some minutes, before heading out.
[Dailytrust]
The Tesla electric vehicle, Model Y, has become the best-selling in China and Norway in March 2025.
Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of Tesla, confirmed this in a separate X statement on Wednesday.
According to data on the revamped Model Y, performance showed that 43,370 units of the car were sold in March 2025 to become the best-selling battery electric vehicle in China.
Commenting in a terse statement on X, Musk said, “Tesla Model Y is #1 in China.”
Similarly, in Norway, a report showed that Tesla’s Model Y sold 1819 units in March alone. Also, the data indicate that 2792 units of Model X were sold in the first quarter of 2025.
Earlier, Elon Musk stated that “Tesla actually literally makes the best-selling car on Earth of any kind. That’s two years in a row.”
The development comes amid a surge in the attacks on Tesla vehicles, dealerships, storage lots, and charging stations in some parts of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, has launched a task force to kerb attacks on Tesla vehicles.
In a related development, recall that President Donald Trump recently announced a 25 percent tariff on automobile imports to boost the domestic car industry, which is expected to kickoff on Wednesday, 2 April, 2025.
[DailyPost]
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The management and staff of NNPC Limited have welcomed the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bayo Ojulari, and the Board of Directors.
The PUNCH reports that President Bola Tinubu appointed Ojulari to replace Mele Kyari in the early hours of Wednesday while also restructuring the NNPCL board.
A statement by the company’s spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, on Wednesday, said the management and staff of the NNPCL thanked Kyari and the former board members for their services to the company.
“We extend our profound appreciation to the outgoing GCEO, Mr Mele Kyari, and the former Board Members for their selfless and dedicated service to the company and to the nation.
“Mr Kyari’s leadership and tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on NNPC Ltd., and we are sincerely grateful for his outstanding contributions.
“We wish him and all departing Board Members continued success and fulfilment in their future endeavours,” the statement read.
Ojulari’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Despite the recent upward adjustments of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol by different prices, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has left its unchanged at N880 per litre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Nation’s investigation at all NNPCL retail outlets in the city revealed the uniform price of N880 per litre.
In Lagos, the corporation has retained pump price at N860 while other major marketers have increased to between N930-N980.
Its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye attributed the stability of price in the state-owned oil firm’s outlets to its determination to adhere to its core mandate.
The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) mandates the NNPCL to guarantee energy security for the country.
Asked why has NNPCL left the pump price unchanged, Soneye told The Nation in Whatsapp text message that its for energy security mandate.
He further noted the PIA mandates NNPCL to be the supplier of last resort.
Soneye said: “Energy security. The law mandates NNPC to be the supplier of last resort.”
Asked whether NNPCL was sustaining the pump price at a loss, he said “not really.”
NNPCL’s refineries Port Harcourt and Warri have been operational, also supplying products to the domestic market.
It refines its own feedstock from its upstream firm- National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and JVCs.
Its sustenance of the pump price despite the changes in most components of the petrol pricing template such as crude oil price increase and exchange rate shows a maintenance of a slim profit margin for energy security.
The Nation’s investigation at the petrol stations in Abuja showed that some major oil marketers sold the product from between N950 per litre to N970 per litre.
Some independent marketers vended the petrol for N990 per litre with little or no patronage.
But the NNPCL outlets recorded significant patronage.
Dangote affiliate petrol station, MRS vended the product for N950 per litre after adjusting the price from N880 per litre.
The management of Dangote Refinery on March 19 announced the temporary suspension of sale of petrol in Naira.
According to the announcement, the NNPCL had stopped the sale of feedstock to the plant in Naira.
[TheNation]
Thirty-five states voted N214 billion for local security outfits, defence initiatives, and the purchase of arms and equipment in their 2025 budget, The PUNCH reports.
Despite the substantial funding allocated to eliminate insecurity, no fewer than 367 individuals have been killed during Yuletide and Sallah celebrations between 2019 and 2025.
The states’ budgets are contained in Open States, a BudgIT-backed website that serves as a repository of government budget data.
The massive vote, intended to bolster security nationwide, raises critical concerns about the efficacy of these measures, as citizens remain increasingly vulnerable to the tide of violence.
Although the responsibility for ensuring the safety of lives and property lies with the Federal Government, the increasing wave of kidnapping, robbery, and other forms of violence has compelled many state governors to set up their own internal security strategies to combat the menace.
However, these efforts have not yielded the desired results as criminals continue to operate with impunity, terrorising the citizens.
Last month, a total of 30 people were reportedly killed in a wave of attacks across Ondo, Benue, and Nasarawa, with the affected communities calling for urgent government intervention.
Nine surveyors were reportedly kidnapped in Ondo, while two residents were abducted, and four others suffered gun and machete wounds in Edo.
In Ondo, enraged women took to the streets of Akure recently, following the abduction of nine surveyors and the killings of villagers in the Akure North Local Government Area.
Armed assailants reportedly stormed the communities of Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun, leaving a trail of destruction and bloodshed.
Authorities recovered at least 14 bodies, while search efforts continued, with a report that 20 villagers were killed.
In Benue, violent protests erupted in Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government, after three members of the state’s Civil Protection Guards were ambushed and killed by suspected herders.
In Nasarawa State, a communal clash in the Farin Dutse community escalated into a full-blown crisis, leaving at least seven people dead, including a pregnant woman.
The conflict, which began as a dispute between local farmers and herders, quickly spiralled out of control, with houses, shops, and vehicles set ablaze.
The police have, however, arrested two suspects in connection with the violence, while patrols have been stepped up to contain the violence.
Last week, 16 men believed to be travelling hunters were brutally murdered in Uromi, Edo State.
The incident sparked a national outrage and fears of reprisals.
No fewer than 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings.
Checks revealed that in the first three months of 2025, at least 2,819 incidents of abduction were recorded, with 3,190 fatalities and 1,123 persons injured.
The incidents were recorded in 428 out of 774 local government areas.
A breakdown of the budgets showed that all the states approved the purchase of arms and security equipment.
Abia State allocated N554.58m for the purchase of security equipment and arms, signalling a commitment to enhancing its security apparatus.
Also, Adamawa State earmarked a significantly larger sum of N3.82bn for a similar purpose, marking a considerable allocation in the region.
Akwa-Ibom followed suit, setting aside N10.1bn for arms and ammunition procurement, Edo state allocated N849m while Anambra voted N2.73bn for its security needs.
Other states also made notable provisions for security, including Bauchi with N889.71m, while Bayelsa set aside N10.187bn.
Benue’s security budget stood at N1.46bn, while Ekiti and Cross River allocated N30m and N10m, respectively.
Borno’s budget for security was N1.92bn, and Delta allocated N2.84bn. Enugu saw one of the highest allocations in the Southeast, with N11.41bn dedicated to security.
Further north, Gombe’s security expenditure was pegged at N725.05m, primarily for the purchase of security equipment and funding the operations of its state defence ministry.
Imo, Governor Hope Uzodinma allocated N820.42m for its Homeland Security and Vigilance Ministry.
Jigawa and Kaduna made modest allocations of N40m and N40.74m, respectively.
Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi states also prioritized security, with Kano allocating N1.42bn, Katsina a substantial N5.28bn, and Kebbi the highest allocation among northern states with N21.81bn.
Kogi’s allocation was N11.06bn, while Kwara set aside N37m for its security operations.
In the southwest, Ogun State made a substantial provision of N4.81bn for security.
Amotekun, the regional security outfit, received a significant portion of N1.79bn, with Safe-Corps also getting N459.62m.
On the other hand, Ondo State budgeted N7.07bn, with N7.06bn going to Amotekun’s operations.
Osun and Oyo states allocated N1.525bn and N4.88bn, respectively, for security.
Plateau’s security budget was pegged at N7.36bn, while Rivers State made the largest allocation for security in 2025, with an impressive N39.82bn set aside for security equipment.
Sokoto’s security budget stood at N10.57bn, Taraba set aside N4.15bn, Yobe allocated N50m and Zamfara, N32.29bn.
President Bola Tinubu, at a security conference, said a well-governed state is better equipped to address internal challenges and should not depend on federal agencies for safety.
He averred that the sorry state of the local government system has contributed to the developmental setbacks and the country’s inability to tackle the prevailing security threats.
“Sadly, the state of our local government system in Nigeria is a cause of concern, as its degradation and incapacitation have continued significantly and have contributed significantly to our developmental setback and our inability to effectively address the prevailing national security threat.
“We find ourselves trapped in a paradoxical situation where the very areas most affected by security classes are rendered powerless and unable to mount any meaningful resistance or defence.
“Local governments are the frontline defenders against insecurity, as they are closest to the people and possess intimate knowledge of their community’s needs and challenges. This is why some are advocating for community policing as a panacea to end security challenges,” he noted.
Meanwhile, attacks on both Christian and Muslim communities have left over 367 individuals dead between 2019 and 2025 during festive periods.
The incidents occurred in Edo, Rivers, Plateau and Benue, among others.
The figures were sourced from the Nigeria Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations and media reports within the period under review.
However, the number was not definitive as many of the incidents are under-reported.
The greatest carnage so far occurred in December 2023 when over 150 people were killed in coordinated Christmas Eve attacks in Plateau State.
In December 2024, 47 lives were lost on Christmas Day in Benue. Militants ambushed Christians returning from Christmas morning services, killing 11 people in the Kwande LGA of the state.
A few days earlier, on December 22, 2024, armed men stormed the Gidan Ado community in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving 15 people dead.
The trend of targeting Christian worshippers continued into the New Year when gunmen in Rivers State murdered at least 14 churchgoers as they returned from midnight services in January 2025.
Also, in the same month, suspected militants killed three Christians in a late-night attack on the village of Sha in Bokkos, Plateau State.
In December 2020, the Boko Haram terrorist group launched a brutal Christmas Eve attack on Chibok village in Borno State, killing 11 people and kidnapping seven others, leaving the community in shock and despair.
That same year, a Christmas music carnival in Benue turned violent when police allegedly opened fire on fun-seekers, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.
The Muslim faithful have also suffered deadly assaults, though attacks during the festive periods are uncommon.
In August 2019, the Sallah festivities were overshadowed by tragedy as 75 Shiite members lost their lives during their Ashura processions in Sokoto, Kaduna, Gombe, and Katsina State.
On August 15, 2021, 23 people returning from a Muslim festival were killed in Jos, Plateau State.
More recently, on March 27, 2025, a mob in Uromi, Edo State, killed 16 hunters travelling to Kano for the Eid celebrations.
The Sokoto State Commissioner of Health, Faruk Wurno, has expressed deep concern over the use of harmful traditional practices by local barbers in treating metal poisoning cases.
Wurno condemned the practice of making incisions on patients’ stomachs as a form of treatment and called for its immediate cessation.
Speaking during the presentation of government-supplied drugs for metal poisoning treatment at General Hospital Tureta on Wednesday, Wurno emphasised the need for affected individuals to seek medical attention at hospitals instead of resorting to unsafe traditional methods.
“The practice of making incisions on the stomach of patients suffering from metal poisoning must stop immediately. Instead, those showing symptoms should be rushed to hospitals for proper medical care,” the commissioner directed.
Wurno, represented by the Executive Director of the State Hospital Services Management Board, Bello Attahiru, assured that the government would distribute the essential drugs to all general hospitals handling metal poisoning cases.
Receiving the medical supplies, the Chairman of Tureta Local Government Council, Aliyu Tureta, expressed gratitude, noting that the provision of the drugs was timely.
Tureta assured that the local government would ensure proper utilisation of the medicines for their intended purpose, highlighting the council’s earlier efforts in addressing the health crisis.
The state government’s intervention is expected to curb the dangerous traditional treatment methods and improve access to safer and more effective medical care for affected patients. The first
[Punch]