Rufai Oseni has challenged political analyst Olabode Sowunmi over the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount, questioning whether the intervention amounts to a return of fuel subsidy despite claims that the discount is being borne by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

The exchange occurred during an edition of The Morning Show on Arise News, where Oseni questioned Sowunmi about the financial implications of the petrol discount and other measures introduced to cushion the impact of fuel prices.

Oseni argued that several elements of the government’s intervention could be regarded as forms of subsidy, insisting that NNPC’s ownership structure must be considered when determining who ultimately bears the cost.

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“No matter how you try to explain it away, a subsidy is a subsidy,” Oseni said.

He challenged the argument that the discount should not be classified as a government subsidy simply because NNPC was responsible for providing it.

“We’re talking like NNPC is not owned by [the government] and heavily equity-based by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated,” he said.

Oseni identified the 30-day discount, forward sales of crude oil to domestic refineries, a proposed price ceiling, the removal of road levies and the consideration of an excess-profit tax among the measures he believed could amount to different forms of subsidy.

He argued that forward sales of crude oil to domestic refineries, with increased volumes as production grows, could help shield petrol pump prices from fluctuations in the international market.

Oseni also questioned the proposed negotiation of a price ceiling of ₦1,350 on landing and ex-country costs, arguing that government intervention to moderate prices contradicted the principle of allowing market forces to determine them.

“You are not supposed to come in to do this. Let me go back to your words: forces of market supply and demand should do this, but you have now come in to do this. That’s another form of subsidies,” he said.

He further cited the removal of road levies and cooperation with state governments under new tax laws as part of the measures requiring scrutiny.

After listing the interventions, Oseni demanded that Sowunmi explain their financial implications and identify who would ultimately pay for the petrol discount.

“But tie this with the most important question, actually, that you skipped: How much will this cost NNPC, and who pays for it? Don’t evade that question. Tell us the cost item and how much, who will pay for it,” Oseni said.

Sowunmi Defends His Position

In his response, Sowunmi argued that a government subsidy should be determined by whether the government bears the difference between the total cost of a product and its selling price.

He explained that a subsidy occurs when the government assumes the financial burden created by the gap between the cost of a product and the price at which it is sold.

“In the case of the discount that has been announced, it is borne by NNPC. So that cannot be…” Sowunmi said before Oseni interrupted.

Oseni challenged the distinction, insisting that NNPC’s ownership made it necessary to establish whether the cost could ultimately be linked to the government.

“Wait, not—who owns NNPC? Please answer. No, no, a straight question, and you can go ahead. Who owns NNPC?” Oseni asked.

Sowunmi responded that he had been invited to contribute to the discussion and should be allowed to complete his explanation.

“You asked, you asked NNPC because you believe—you asked me a question because you believe I have something to say. You cannot—you cannot tell me how to talk, so just be…” he said.

Oseni subsequently repeated his question about NNPC’s ownership, prompting Sowunmi to urge him to exercise patience.

“Basically, you need to be a bit patient and just…” Sowunmi responded.

The available transcript ends during the exchange, with no further explanation of the financial arrangements or conclusion to the discussion provided.

Human rights defender and Amnesty International volunteer, Lawrence Zongo, has been released from the custody of the Nigerian Army in Jos, Plateau State, after spending 10 days in detention.

His release comes after Amnesty International and the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement demanded his immediate release, raising concerns over his alleged incommunicado detention at the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division headquarters in Jos.

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“Zongo is out,” a source privy to the information said on Thursday.

Zongo was arrested on October 5 while visiting relatives receiving treatment at a military hospital within Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, the headquarters of the Army’s 3 Division.

He had reportedly gone to the facility to assist family members who were attacked by gunmen in Meyango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Sunday night.

Sources familiar with the incident said one of Zongo’s first cousins died from injuries sustained in the attack before he arrived at the hospital late Monday morning.

Following his arrest, sources alleged that Zongo was held without charge and denied access to his lawyers and family members.

Sources also claimed that he was wearing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses when he visited the military facility, suggesting that this might have contributed to the soldiers’ decision to detain him. However, the claim had not been independently verified.

On October 8, Amnesty International raised the alarm over what it described as the arbitrary and incommunicado detention of its member, demanding that the military either release him immediately or hand him over to the appropriate civilian authorities.

The organisation said efforts to gain access to Zongo had been unsuccessful and called on the Army to clarify the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention.

On October 13, the Take-It-Back Movement’s Plateau State chapter also demanded his release, alleging that he remained in military custody without a clear explanation.

The movement said its members and executive committee representatives had discussed the matter during an appearance on JayFM Jos, insisting that the military should disclose the offence Zongo was suspected of committing and provide evidence justifying his continued detention.

The group also called for respect for Zongo’s fundamental rights and urged the Army to follow established legal procedures if there were allegations against him.

His release comes after days of pressure from rights advocates and activists over the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention.

The Nigerian Army’s reasons for detaining Zongo and the circumstances surrounding his release were not immediately available.

The Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Awwal D. Tukur, has identified intelligence gathering, timely information sharing and proactive security strategies as key priorities for tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

Tukur stated this while delivering a welcome address on behalf of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the opening ceremony of the Federal and State Security Administrators’ Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State on Thursday.

Welcoming delegates to the state, he said, “It is my honor and privilege to welcome you all on behalf of the government and the good people of Adamawa State to the capital city of Yola for this federal and state security administrators’ meeting.”

He described the gathering as an important platform for collaboration between federal intelligence institutions and state and local government administrations.

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“As a premier security engagement forum, the FSSAM plays an indispensable role. It provides a unique, highly collaborative platform where federal intelligence frameworks meet the practical day-to-day realities of state and local government administration,” Tukur said.

The Adamawa SSG noted that Nigeria faces evolving security challenges, including insurgency, cross-border criminality and internal civil cleavages.

“No doubt, our nation is facing evolving and fast-moving security challenges, ranging from complex insurgency and cross-border criminality to internal civil cleavages. The mandate of this initiative is therefore, the more pressing,” he said.

Tukur outlined three key tasks for participants during the two-day meeting, stressing the need to identify emerging threats, improve intelligence sharing and develop practical strategies to address security challenges.

“To my mind, the collective task of this forum over the next two days is clear,” he said.

He listed the priorities as identifying and evaluating emerging security indicators; reviewing methods for generating actionable intelligence and sharing it with relevant authorities in a clear, precise and timely manner; and proposing practical strategies to anticipate and contain present and future security threats within communities.

Tukur also highlighted Adamawa State’s efforts to prioritise intelligence gathering under Governor Fintiri’s leadership.

“Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State has consistently prioritized intelligence in the sector. Community-centered intelligence networks and robust logistical support for our security formation,” he said.

He added that hosting the meeting reflected the state’s commitment to supporting national security efforts.

“Host of this meeting reflects the test part of the commitments on unwavering commitment to contributing meaningfully to the national security architecture,” Tukur said.