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Refineries Not Created To Reduce Petrol Price – Mele Kyari

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Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, responded to the Senate’s summons by appearing before the joint committee on appropriations 48 hours later.

Recall that on Wednesday, the Senate had given a 24-hour ultimatum to the NNPC Ltd boss to appear before it, following observations that he had previously avoided appearing before the Senate’s ad-committee investigating the over 11 trillion naira expenditure on refinery maintenance from 2010 to 2023.

During the Senate committee on appropriations’ inquiry into potential petroleum price drops linked to refinery advancements, Kyari noted the possibility of a reduction but stressed that the refineries’ primary aim isn’t centered around lowering prices.

He emphasized that prioritizing energy security has bolstered confidence, envisioning Nigeria’s shift to becoming a net exporter of petroleum products by 2024.

Kyari confirmed that no subsidy is imposed on the federation.

He also stated that the NNPC Ltd had contributed 4.45 trillion naira as direct revenue to the federation through a combination of taxes, royalties, and dividends.

Additionally, the NNPC Ltd had paid 406 billion naira as dividends to the Federal Government’s account since July 2023.

He mentioned that Nigeria lacks credible data for PMS consumption due to the absence of the necessary measuring instrument.

Senator Adeola Olamilekan, Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, had directed Kyari to appear before the committee within 24 hours.

Olamilekan instructed Kyari to attend alongside the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and cautioned that failure to appear undermines the legislature and disrupts the process.

They were mandated to provide a comprehensive list of all individual companies operating with OML licenses in Nigeria, along with the total daily approved production output.

The lawmaker raised concerns that certain revenues crucial for the 2024 budget were linked to the NNPC Ltd.

He emphasized that the NNPC Ltd, being owned by the Federal Government, is accountable to it and, by extension, to the three arms of government.

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Why NYSC Stopped Orientation Exercise for Corps Members in Niger State

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Gombe NYSC Prioritises Safety of Corps Members

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has explained the reason behind the suspension of the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course for prospective corps members deployed to Niger State.

In a notice shared on its official X account on Sunday, the scheme said the orientation exercise was put on hold due to ongoing renovation work at the state’s orientation camp.

According to the NYSC, the temporary suspension affects all prospective corps members (PCMs) posted to Niger State for the current orientation programme.

SEE ALSO: NYSC Under Fire As Sowore Plans Protest Over Withheld Certificate of Corps Member

“This is to notify the General Public and Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) deployed to Niger State for the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course that their Orientation Course Exercise is suspended for now due to ongoing renovation work at the Orientation Camp,” the statement read.

The scheme assured affected corps members that alternative arrangements would be communicated soon, noting that they would be informed of a new reporting date and venue once preparations are completed.

“PCMs affected should note that they will be contacted at a short notice on where and when to report for their Orientation Course,” the NYSC added.

The management also apologised for the inconvenience caused to both the prospective corps members and their parents.

“The Management regrets all inconveniences to the affected PCMs and their parents,” the statement said.

The suspension comes months after a devastating windstorm damaged critical facilities at the NYSC orientation camp in Paiko, located in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The storm reportedly affected several structures, including male hostels, the multipurpose hall, kitchen and staff quarters.

Following the incident, the Niger State Government commenced rehabilitation and renovation works aimed at restoring the camp’s infrastructure to a suitable condition for hosting corps members.

While the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course began nationwide on June 10 and is expected to conclude on June 30, corps members posted to Niger State will now have to await further directives from the NYSC regarding their orientation exercise.

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Terrorists on the Run as Troops Destroy Camp, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Zamfara

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Troops Kill 5, Arrest Others During Raid In Kastina Terrorist Camp

The Nigerian Army has recorded another success in its ongoing offensive against terrorism and banditry in Zamfara State, forcing terrorists to flee their hideout, destroying their camp, and rescuing three kidnapped victims.

According to an operational report released on Saturday, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, carried out the operation on June 12 across communities in Zurmi and Shinkafi Local Government Areas of the state.

The report stated that troops conducting a fighting patrol through Birnin Saba, Yanbuki, and Sabon Garin Daudawa communities came into contact with terrorists operating in the Yanbuki District of Zurmi LGA.

SEE ALSO: How Troops Forced Kidnappers to Abandon Two Bank Staff in Taraba

During the encounter, troops engaged the criminals in a gun battle, successfully neutralising one terrorist while others escaped into nearby areas.

Security forces recovered several items from the scene, including rifles, four magazines loaded with ammunition, two motorcycles, seven mobile phones, two MP3 players, woodland camouflage trousers, and an inner vest.

Maintaining pressure on the fleeing terrorists, the troops advanced toward Sabon Garin Daudawa. On sighting the approaching soldiers, the terrorists reportedly abandoned their camp and fled.

The troops subsequently cleared the area and destroyed the camp to prevent it from serving as a base for future criminal operations.

In the course of the clearance operation, three kidnapped victims were rescued and safely evacuated from the area.

The military said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to rid Zamfara and other parts of the North-West of terrorist and bandit groups responsible for attacks, kidnappings, and other criminal activities.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations across the region until lasting peace and security are restored to affected communities.

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DSS Foils Arms Smuggling Operation, Arrests Suspect Linked to Zamfara Bandit Leader

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a shipment of weapons allegedly destined for a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Zamfara State and arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State.

According to an operational report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State following intelligence-led operations by DSS operatives.

ALSO READ: Pastor Escapes Into Bush as Gunmen Kidnap His 9-Year-Old Son in Ondo Attack

The report disclosed that the suspect was intercepted while transporting a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Funtua in Katsina State, from where the weapons were expected to be delivered to criminal elements.

Items recovered from the suspect included three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.

Security sources said preliminary investigations linked the weapons consignment to a suspected bandit leader believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara State.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed that he had been contracted to move the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.

The report noted that investigations are ongoing to uncover the network behind the arms trafficking operation and identify other individuals connected to the movement of the weapons.

Authorities described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in efforts to disrupt the flow of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings, and other security threats across the North-West region.

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.

The development comes as security agencies continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that support banditry, terrorism, and other forms of organised crime across Nigeria.

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