The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has expressed confidence that Nigeria can increase crude oil production to 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd), following recent gains that pushed output to a peak of 1.86 million bpd in May.

The Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, made teh disclosure on Wednesday at a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, at the NRS headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement, Eyesan said the country’s oil sector has returned to a growth path, noting that production is steadily improving despite existing challenges.

“We are back to production. We are ramping up now, and we want to continue working,” she said.

She said addressing infrastructure gaps and improving asset integrity across the sector would be critical to sustaining output growth.

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“We still recognise the constraints. Infrastructure and asset integrity are major constraints, but we will work on these,” she added.

Eyesan also noted that human capacity development in the sector remains important for sustaining production expansion.

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between NUPRC and the Nigeria Revenue Service to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in revenue collection from the oil and gas industry.

She commended reforms at the revenue agency, noting that the transition under the new framework had been smooth.

Eyesan said the commission remains focused on creating an enabling environment for investors and operators in the petroleum sector.

“We are here to enable their businesses, ensure that they survive, and that they succeed. And we want to grow the pie because when you grow the pie, everybody benefits,” she said.

She also disclosed that digitisation of NUPRC operations has been largely achieved as part of its reform agenda.

Responding, NRS Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji pledged continued collaboration with the commission to boost revenue generation and strengthen transparency in the petroleum sector.

“It is in the interest of Nigeria that we work together to grow revenue for the country in a transparent manner,” he said.
He added that the NRS would continue supporting royalty collection and other revenue processes in the upstream petroleum industry.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that some of its members died while in detention, as the group announced a major restructuring of its leadership and pledged to prioritise the welfare and release of detained members.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday from Langerfeld, Germany, and signed in the name of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The statement, made available through the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, also confirmed the dissolution of the third administration of IPOB’s Directorate of State (DOS) and the inauguration of a new leadership team.

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According to the group, the decision followed a review of the outgoing administration’s performance, particularly its handling of issues concerning members being held in detention facilities across Nigeria.

IPOB expressed concern over what it described as the prolonged detention of hundreds of its members, especially those allegedly being held without trial at Wawa Military Barracks in Niger State.

“The most grievous failure of the outgoing administration was its inability to prioritise the welfare and liberation of hundreds of Biafrans detained across various detention facilities, particularly those held for years without trial at Wawa Military Barracks in Niger State,” the statement read.

The group further alleged that many detainees had suffered severe hardship, while some reportedly died in custody.

“No movement that claims to stand for justice can neglect those who paid the highest price for their commitment. The abandonment of detained Biafrans represents a profound dereliction of the duty of care owed to every member of the IPOB family,” the statement added.

IPOB also accused the dissolved leadership of focusing on internal disputes and factional disagreements rather than prioritising diplomacy, legal advocacy, prisoner welfare and strategic planning.

As part of the restructuring, US-based Chris Nwaọgụ was named head of the fourth administration of the Directorate of State and is expected to oversee the administration and day-to-day affairs of the movement under Kanu’s authority.

Other appointments announced by the group include Solomon Egbo as Deputy Head, Nnennaya Anya as Head of Finance and Budget Planning, Chigozie Okekenta as Coordinator of Coordinators, Chukwudi Nwogwugwu as Head of Medical and Welfare Planning, and Ikechukwu Onuoha as Head of Media.

The organisation also unveiled an Elders Advisory Council, which it said would provide strategic guidance and institutional support to both Kanu and the newly appointed leadership team.

In addition, IPOB disclosed that officers previously appointed by Kanu had been restored to their positions pending administrative review, while previous suspensions and expulsions had been set aside.

The group urged its members and supporters around the world to remain disciplined and cooperate with the new administration as it seeks to reposition the movement and strengthen internal unity.

Founded in 2012 by Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB advocates for the restoration of an independent Biafra state in Nigeria’s South-East region.

While the group insists its agitation is peaceful and based on self-determination, the Federal Government has repeatedly accused it of involvement in violent activities and secured a court order proscribing it as a terrorist organisation in 2017.

IPOB continues to reject the allegations and challenge the proscription.

At least nine persons have been killed and 11 others injured following a deadly attack on Angwan Magaji community in Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The attack, which occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, has heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in communities located along the Kaduna–Plateau border.

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According to the National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, heavily armed attackers invaded the community in the early hours of the morning and opened fire on residents, leaving several casualties in their wake.

Yonkpa explained that most residents of Angwan Magaji are members of the Irigwe ethnic group with ancestral roots in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The victims of the attack were identified as Jerry Doctor, 51; Danlami Magani, 49; Sunday Chibi, 53; Rita Abdullahi, 45; Sunday Elkan, 5; Esther Kefas, 5; Happy Friday, 6; Moses Daddy, 4; and Daddy Ibrahim, 28.

Eleven other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

Confirming the incident, the National Secretary of the Irigwe Development Association, Danjuma Dickson Auta, condemned the killings and described the attack as unfortunate and deeply troubling.

Auta called on security agencies to immediately investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

He also expressed concern over the recurring attacks on communities in the area, urging authorities to strengthen security measures to safeguard lives and property.

The community leader appealed to governments at all levels to take urgent action to prevent further bloodshed and restore confidence among residents, noting that the latest attack has plunged the community into mourning and renewed calls for decisive intervention to end the cycle of violence along the Kaduna–Plateau axis.