NEWS
Insecurity: Reps urge FG to increase capacity of Armed Forces
***Express worry over the gruesome killing of 42 Soldiers, Police, and Civilians in Taraba State
To prosecute the war against terrorism ravaging the country, the House of Representatives on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to embark on massive recruitment of personnel into Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
The resolution was reached following the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance co-sponsored by two Taraba lawmakers namely: Hon. Danjuma Usman and Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu on the unconscionable killings of Civilians, officers of the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Army in Takum, Taraba State.
The House tasked the President on the need to increase the capacity of the Armed Forces and security agencies to forestall further loss of lives.
In his lead debate, Hon. Usman noted that on Tuesday 10th May 2022, bandits/terrorists attacked Tati village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, a farming community, and was razed down by the bandits who had arrived in the area the previous night and butchered 42 civilians, policemen, and six Soldiers.
According to him,“the House is informed that in response to several distress calls made by the residents, Security agency mobilized scantily to the area.
“The House is also informed that the bandits ambushed the security agents who were outnumbered and in the ensuring face off six Soldiers were killed; this was after the bandits had earlier killed a Policeman at a checkpoint and other civilians at Tati; the Commander of the 93 Battalion is missing in action.
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“The House is aware that the massive movement of the bandits to the area had been reported by residents to government agencies and functionaries as well as security agencies some days back.
“The House is also aware that Security agencies, especially the 93 BN of the Nigeria army and some units of the Special Forces (operations Wild Stroke) had engaged the bandits successfully last week and seized dangerous weapons from them.
“The House is further aware that about a month ago the bandits had struck etcKwentwen, Kwencwen, Kwenmboi (Quarry), Gangum 2, Tati-Kumbo and Tati area. Others are; Bassang, Fawen, Kashiten, and Muji in Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas respectively and killed over 46 persons without any serious challenge.
“The House is concerned that these bandits are increasing their reach and destabilizing more parts of the country.
“The House is also concerned that these bandits operate in very large numbers and in this instant case, less than 20 military men are confronted by over 300 well-armed bandits.
“The House is disturbed by this persistent and consistent killing of both security personnel and civilians that may dampen the morale of our soldiers and encourage the bandits to cause more havoc.
“The House is further disturbed that Nigeria has one of the lowest ratios of Soldiers to the civilian population and the men are overstretched as operations are taking place in almost all states of the Federation.”
To this end, the House tasked the Chief of Army Staff and Inspector-General of Police to deploy more security men to effectively secure the Takum LGA in Taraba State and fish out the bandits.
The lawmakers also urged the intelligence agencies to take steps to fish out the sponsors of these bandits so that they are made to face the law.
While speaking during a press briefing, Hon. Usman noted that Nigeria has one of the lowest ratios of Soldiers to the civilian population and the men are overstretched as operations are taking place in almost all states of the Federation and called for the establishment of forest guards to help tackle the issue of bandits and insecurity bedeviling the nation. In
According to him, “the military is overwhelmed because of the obsolete equipment they have, they cannot even move because as I speak not the Commanding Officer of the 97 battalions is nowhere to be found he led the operation to Taki village where 6 soldiers were killed but the commanding officer as I speak now we do not know his whereabouts.
“Our area is in dire need of security guards as you know it is an agrarian society and these bandits come in groups, you see them in large numbers. We are crying out for the government to assist us by providing enough security in our area, though we understand that the ratio of civilians to the military is not enough.
“We need security otherwise one day we will not be able to sit here, you cannot travel from hereto Nasarawa, from here to Kogi, from here to Kaduna, from here to plateau without being at alert, without being afraid that something will happen to you and at any time they can come for you. That was why last year I sponsored a bill on forest guards but as I speak I don’t know what happened to that bill.
“These bandits operate in our forest, so I am appealing to the media to help us pass this message to the government so that all of us are secure that we can all do our jobs better. The governor is doing his best but he is also overwhelmed, the governor is not in charge of the security it is the federal government that is in charge of security in the country,” he stated.
NEWS
DPRP Slashes PMS to ₦1,165/Litre, Diesel to ₦1,570/Litre
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel).
A company statement on Wednesday has it that the price reduction, which is part of reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market is effective Thursday 6th of August, 2026.
Under the new pricing structure, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of PMS to N1,165 per litre, down from N1,215 per litre, representing a reduction of N50 per litre. Similarly, the ex-depot price of Diesel has been reduced to N1,570 per litre from N1,650 per litre, amounting to a decrease of N80 per litre.
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The price review reflects Dangote Refinery’s ongoing efforts to enhance energy affordability, improve access to refined petroleum products, and support economic activities across Nigeria. The refinery remains committed to ensuring stable supply while leveraging operational efficiencies to deliver value to consumers, businesses, and stakeholders.
As Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting the nation’s economic development through the supply of world-class petroleum products.
The company reaffirmed its dedication to contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy and passing on the benefits of improved operational efficiencies to consumers whenever market conditions permit.
NEWS
Wrong-Way Crane Leaves Three Dead, Three Injured in Ogun Auto Crash
Three people have lost their lives, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a tragic road accident involving a crane and a truck along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The fatal crash occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday near Babcock Junction in Ikenne Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the accident involved a white Mercedes-Benz truck with registration number LG 59 BLF and a yellow crane without a registration number.
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According to Akinbiyi, preliminary investigations showed that the crane was travelling against traffic at excessive speed when it collided head-on with the oncoming truck.
He disclosed that six people—three males and three females—were involved in the crash.
“A total of three persons, comprising two males and one female, lost their lives, while three male victims sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Akinbiyi said.
He added that emergency responders from TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and a rescue team known as “Papa Oscar” swiftly arrived at the scene to rescue victims and manage the situation.
The injured victims were taken to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) morgue in Sagamu.
To ease traffic flow, authorities diverted vehicles from Delabo Junction to the second carriageway as efforts continued to evacuate the damaged vehicles from the highway.
Akinbiyi commiserated with the families of the deceased and cautioned motorists against dangerous traffic violations.
“Motorists should avoid route violation and driving against traffic, considering the grave consequences associated with such dangerous acts,” he said.
NEWS
Businessman Alleges Paying PFIPC DG ₦400m To Secure Gov’t Contract
A businessman, Gbenga Collins, has told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) that he paid ₦400 million to the council’s embattled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, to facilitate the award of a government contract.
Collins made the allegation on Wednesday while testifying before the committee probing the establishment and operations of the controversial council.
According to the businessman, he travelled to Abuja where he was officially received by Adeyemi in what he described as an atmosphere befitting the head of a government agency, a development that convinced him the council was legitimate.
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He told lawmakers that Adeyemi later handed him a contract award letter, the scope of work, and an agreement authorising his company to execute the renovation and furnishing of the Director-General’s official residence.
“He gave me a contract award letter, the scope of work and, at the same time, the agreement with my company to execute that refurbishment project and asked me to pay the sum of ₦400 million for the facilitation of that project to show my strength that I would be able to handle it and that it would also fast-track the mobilisation for the contract,” Collins told the committee.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed that Adeyemi’s continued absence from the hearings was because he is currently in police custody and is also being investigated by anti-graft agencies.
Gagdi further revealed that the committee intends to meet with Adeyemi discreetly as part of its ongoing investigation.
As part of the probe, the committee also summoned the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) over the alleged use of official Federal Government number plates on vehicles linked to the disputed council.
The House panel is investigating allegations that the PFIPC operated without lawful authority despite being captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The probe followed allegations by Adeyemi that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded 48 per cent of the council’s proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant. Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through a proxy and later requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has denied all the allegations, maintaining that he has no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
He also rejected claims that he demanded or received money, interfered with investigations, or had any connection to allegations surrounding the death of Babatunde Tanimola or an alleged assassination attempt on Adeyemi.
Following the allegations, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
The House of Representatives subsequently constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the PFIPC, how it was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act, and the alleged allocation of about ₦1.3 billion to the council.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, had earlier informed the committee that none of the funds appropriated for the PFIPC had been released or spent because the statutory conditions required for their disbursement and utilisation were never met.





