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Nigerians groan over Dangote petrol price hike

Published

5 months ago

March 8, 2026

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Nigerians across major cities are grappling with rising petrol prices after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery increased its gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit to N995 per litre, triggering retail price adjustments nationwide and pushing pump prices above N1,000 per litre in some states.

Petrol now sells between N1,000 and N1,190 per litre depending on location and retail outlet.

This has led to rising transport fares as costs of goods and services soar in many parts of the country, according to findings by Sunday PUNCH.

Although the price increase has not triggered panic buying in most states due to steady supply, motorists, transport operators and small business owners say the new price regime is placing additional strain on household incomes already stretched by inflation.

Middle East crisis

The latest surge in petrol prices across Nigeria is closely linked to the escalating geopolitical crisis in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which has disrupted global oil supply chains and pushed crude oil prices upward.

The conflict intensified after joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets in late February 2026, leading to retaliatory attacks by Iran across the region and escalating tensions around key energy infrastructure.

One of the most critical developments in the crisis has been the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This is a narrow maritime corridor between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that serves as one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

The strait handles nearly 20 per cent of global oil and natural gas shipments, making it a vital chokepoint for international energy trade.

Following the escalation of hostilities, Iran issued warnings to vessels linked to the United States and Israel as attacks on ships in the area made maritime traffic through the strait to drop dramatically.

At one point, tanker movements fell sharply and many vessels remained anchored outside the waterway to avoid security risks.

The disruption has stranded millions of barrels of crude oil and refined products in the Gulf, raising fears of a global supply shortage.

The crises has already pushed Brent crude prices above $90 per barrel, with projections that prices could climb even higher if the conflict persists.

Since global oil prices serve as the primary benchmark for petroleum products, the shock to supply has quickly filtered into fuel markets worldwide, including Nigeria.

Abuja commuters brace for transport hike

In the Federal Capital Territory, commuters are already bracing for higher transport fares as filling stations adjusted pump prices to above the N1,000 mark.

A market survey conducted by Sunday PUNCH showed that most filling stations in Abuja now sell petrol between N1,052 and N1,105 per litre.

At MRS Oil Nigeria, a retail partner of Dangote Refinery, petrol was sold at N1,060 per litre, while Nipco Filling Station along Airport Road dispensed the product at N1,105 per litre, the highest price recorded during the survey.

Other outlets, including Matrix Energy, Bovas, Shafa, Shema and A.A. Rano adjusted pump prices upward to between N1,052 and N1,092 per litre.

Despite the price increase, fuel was readily available at the stations visited and there were no queues.

However, the price hike has already begun to impact transport fares.

A commercial driver operating along the Federal Secretariat-Asokoro route, Daniel Ishyaku, said he had increased fares from N400 to N700 to cope with rising fuel costs.

“Fuel is now more than N1,000 per litre. I bought petrol at N1,060 today. If I don’t increase the fare, I will run at a loss,” the driver said.

Some commuters expressed frustration over the development, saying frequent fuel price adjustments were worsening the cost-of-living crisis.

“When fuel goes up like this, transport fares follow immediately. But our salaries have not increased,” one passenger who doesn’t want to be named lamented.

Lagos motorists pay up to N1,190

In Lagos, the country’s commercial hub, petrol prices climbed as high as N1,190 per litre in some outlets early on Saturday.

Visits by Sunday PUNCH to filling stations across the metropolis showed petrol selling between N1,005 and N1,190 per litre.

At a Mobil Filling Station along Agege Motor Road in Mushin, petrol was sold at N1,018 per litre.

A dispatch rider, Augustine Akor, said the increase had forced him to raise delivery charges.

“I bought fuel at N1,018 in Iju-Ishaga this morning. I delivered a package to Ogba and had to charge N4,800 instead of N4,000 because of the fuel increase,” he said.

At the NNPC Filling Station on Yaya Abatan Road, petrol sold for N1,005 per litre, although the price was not displayed on the station’s signboard.

Nearby, an AP Filling Station sold the product at N1,039 per litre, where customers were seen purchasing fuel with 25-litre jerrycans.

A boutique owner, Chukwudi Anioke, said the rising cost of fuel could force him to increase prices of goods in his shop.

“I pay for Band A electricity but power supply is not stable, so I rely heavily on my generator. Now that petrol has increased again, we will have no option but to increase prices,” he said.

At Oniwaya Bus Stop in Agege, petrol was sold at N1,030 per litre.

A tricycle operator, Kamoru Saheed, said transport fares had already doubled on some routes.

“We have increased fares from N100 to N200 because of the fuel price. Everything keeps increasing,” he said.

Kaduna, Taraba residents buy N1,070

In Kaduna State, checks showed petrol selling between N1,060 and N1,070 per litre across major stations in the Kaduna metropolis.

Stations including AA Rano, Rainoil, NNPC Mega Station and Future View dispensed fuel without the long queues typically associated with price hikes.

A motorist simply identified as Ibrahim said that residents had no reason to panic.

“There is no scarcity of fuel, so there should be no panic buying. Fuel is available everywhere,” he said.

A similar situation was observed in Taraba State, where petrol sold between N1,000 and N1,060 per litre in Jalingo and Wukari.

A commercial driver, Ibrahim Usman, while speaking n the development, said the availability of fuel had prevented panic buying.

Edo, Rivers adjust to new price regime

In Benin City, the Edo State capital, petrol sold between N1,050 and N1,072 per litre on Saturday.

At Hifly filling station on Sakponba Road, motorists purchased fuel at N1,072 per litre without queues.

Similarly, Raptors Filling Station on Sapele Road sold petrol for N1,050 per litre.

However, the NNPC station in the city was not selling the product at the time of visit, though an attendant said petrol sold at N995 per litre the previous day.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, petrol prices ranged between N1,050 and N1,075 per litre.

At Restore Park filling station along Elekahia, petrol sold for N1,050 per litre, with only a few vehicles seen buying the product.

A motorist identified as Andy expressed frustration at the sudden increase.

“I bought petrol for N1,030 yesterday. Today it has jumped to N1,050,” he said.

Another motorist, Felix Naamime, lamented the economic impact.

“Petrol is expensive in a country with four refineries. Government must do something to help citizens,” he said.

Fuel sells N1,250 in Gombe

In Gombe, petrol sells for between N1,080 and N1,250 per litre, as residents continue to express concern over the rising cost of the commodity.

A visit to several filling stations within Gombe metropolis revealed that the lowest price was recorded at Bovas Petroleum, where petrol is sold at N1,080 per litre.

However, many other stations dispense the product at prices between N1,150 and N1,250 per litre.

A commercial motorcyclist in Gombe metropolis, Ibrahim Musa, said the high cost of petrol has significantly affected his daily income.

“We are really suffering. Before now, I could buy fuel with less money and still make a profit at the end of the day. Now, most of what we make goes back into buying petrol,” he said.

Similarly, a resident of the city, Aisha Mohammed, said the situation had worsened the cost of living for ordinary citizens.

“The price of everything is increasing because transport fares are going up. When fuel is this expensive, it affects food prices and other essential goods. It is becoming difficult for families to cope,” she said.

Panic buying in Jigawa

Unlike other states, some parts of Jigawa State witnessed panic buying after the price increase.

Another motorist said that motorists in Dutse rushed to filling stations amid fears of further hikes.

At Matric filling station along FUD Road, petrol sold for N1,050 per litre, while the NNPC Mega Station dispensed the product at N1,020 per litre.

A commercial driver, Abubakar Mohammed, described the situation as troubling.

“This price hike will affect our business and daily earnings,” he said.

In Kano, petrol prices climbed to about N1,150 per litre at major stations.

A tricycle rider, Abdulkarim Abdullahi, said the increase had affected transport operators.

“We now spend more on fuel for the same amount of work,” he said.

Residents lament economic impact

In Sokoto, motorists expressed frustration as petrol prices jumped from N930 to between N1,050 and N1,100 per litre.

A resident, Abdulazeez Bello, said that the situation had become unbearable.

“The price of fuel is now on the other side. How does the government expect us to survive?” he asked.

Similarly, in Bauchi, petrol sold between N1,100 and N1,106 per litre.

A motorcycle rider, Umar Musa, said the increase had already affected his livelihood.

“With this kind of increase, commodity prices will also rise in the market,” he said.

In Yobe, residents complained after petrol rose to as high as N990 per litre in Damaturu and Potiskum.

Commercial tricycle operator Musa Ibrahim said the development would reduce daily earnings.

“If petrol is close to N1,000 per litre, most of the money we make will go back to fuel,” he said.

Analysts caution that rising petrol prices often trigger a chain reaction across the economy, as higher transportation and energy costs typically translate into increased food prices, rising production costs and higher market prices for essential goods.

With petrol now selling above N1,000 per litre in several states, many Nigerians fear the economic ripple effects may only just be beginning. (Sunday PUNCH)

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Gunmen abduct 14 passengers in Benue, five rescued, one injured

Published

55 minutes ago

August 15, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Police officer killed, 2 Chinese abducted by gunmen

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Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State, with the police confirming that five of the victims have so far been rescued.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was reportedly ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.

A resident, Ochai, who spoke with our correspondent on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest.

Ochai said, “Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo -Adola road yesterday (Thursday) night.

“All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen.”

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi, said the police launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.

Aondongu said the operation involved an exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the kidnappers.

The police boss said, “The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a kidnapping incident involving a commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of 13 August 2026.

“Following the incident, operatives of the command commenced a coordinated rescue operation early this (Friday) morning. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, has so far resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remain in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.”

The police spokesperson disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.

He said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine victims.

According to Aondongu, the operation was being conducted cautiously, with the safety of the abducted passengers prioritised.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, also assured the victims’ families and members of the public that efforts would continue until the remaining passengers were rescued.

He urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.

The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in Otukpo and Ohimini local government areas, where residents have reported a series of killings and kidnappings in recent weeks.

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How Police nabbed suspected kidnap kingpins linked to multiple kidnappings, murders in Enugu

Published

1 hour ago

August 15, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

CP Mamman Giwa flanked by other senior security officers during the press briefing

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The Enugu State Police Command has arrested and paraded suspected kidnappers allegedly linked to multiple kidnapping and murder cases across the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa at a press briefing in Enugu gave detailed accounts of how members of the kidnapping gangs were rounded up and the large sums of money obtained as ransom from the victims as well as sophisticated weapons were recovered through intelligence-led operations.

Read Full Text Below:

PRESS BRIEFING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, ENUGU STATE COMMAND, CP MAMMAN BITRUS GIWA, psc, mspsp, smicm, ON THE ARREST AND PARADE OF KIDNAPPING SUSPECTS LINKED TO MULTIPLE KIDNAPPING AND MURDER CASES IN ENUGU STATE, HELD 14THAUGUST, 2026, AT THE STATE HEADQUARTERS, GRA, ENUGU

Members of the Press,

I am pleased to brief you today on the outcome of a series of intelligence-led operations conducted by operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, which have resulted in the arrest of fourteen (14) male suspects linked to different kidnapping syndicates operating across State lines and implicated in multiple kidnapping incidents and a murder case in Enugu State.

You will recall that the Command has, at various times and locations, rescued kidnapped victims, arrested and, in some instances, neutralised kidnapping suspects, while recovering firearms, ammunition and other incriminating exhibits.

Recently, in separate joint operations, security operatives rescued kidnapped victims at Ogbozara Community in Nsukka LGA and Owukpa Community in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State, with several exhibits, including live ammunition, recovered.

Most recently, one of the victims abducted from a church at Inoyi, Affa Community, Udi LGA, was rescued on 2nd August, 2026. Further joint, intelligence-led operations subsequently led to the rescue of the remaining two victims, the arrest of three suspects, the neutralisation of one suspect, and the recovery of ransom money, firearms, ammunition and other incriminating exhibits.

Further intelligence-led operations by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit (AK-VCRU) led to the arrest of two additional male suspects linked to the Affa Church kidnapping. The duo, who fled to Port Harcourt following the operational pressure mounted by joint security operatives, were traced and arrested in Port Harcourt and brought back to Enugu.

The suspects and their weapons

Preliminary investigation reveals that, after fleeing Enugu, the suspects regrouped with their cohorts in Port Harcourt and abducted another victim, who was released after a ransom of ₦5,000,000.00 was paid.

In furtherance of the Command’s sustained offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes, twelve (12) additional suspects were earlier arrested through human and technical intelligence-led operations conducted in different parts of the country. The suspects were arrested on various dates in June, July and August 2026 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara and Taraba States.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are members of an organised criminal network operating from different parts of the country. They converge in Enugu State to plan and execute kidnapping operations before returning to their respective locations.

The network is aided by an Enugu-based member who operates a tricycle and provides transportation for the gang members, their firearms and other criminal implements to and from operational locations. Another Enugu-based member provides intelligence that enables the gang to evade security surveillance and identify suitable targets and locations.

The suspects have, during interrogation, confessed to involvement in several recent and past kidnapping incidents across Enugu State, including along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road; Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu Road; Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis; and various locations in Ezeagu LGA.

Specifically, preliminary investigation has linked the suspects to the following armed kidnapping incidents:

• The abduction of a male victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu LGA, on 25thMay, 2026, during which Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦5,500,000.00) was obtained as ransom.

• The abduction of two male victims and the shooting and murder of a female victim at Obioma, Udi LGA, on 9th May, 2026, during which the gang obtained twenty-eight thousand US Dollars ($28,700.00) as ransom.

• The abduction of two male victims along the Eke–Ezinze Road, Udi LGA, on 10th April, 2026, for which Seventy Thousand US Dollars ($70,000.00) was obtained as ransom.

• The kidnapping of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu LGA, on 12th April, 2026, during whichTwenty- Five Million Naira (₦25,000,000.00) was obtained as ransom.

These are in addition to other kidnapping incidents and ransom payments which the suspects have disclosed during interrogation.

Investigation has further revealed that the suspects laundered and concealed proceeds of their criminal activities through investments in livestock and different properties, lavish spending and other conspicuous consumption, as well as leisure and overseas trips, including trips to neighbouring countries such as Cameroon.

Exhibits recovered so far include:

a. Five (5) AK-47 rifles;

b. Two (2) pump-action guns;

c. One (1) locally fabricated firearm;

d. Three hundred and ten (310) rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition;

e. Eight (8) live cartridges; and

f. Seven (7) AK-47 empty Magazines.

The Command is conducting further investigations to establish the suspects’ involvement in other kidnapping and violent-crime incidents within and outside Enugu State, identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, and recover additional firearms, ammunition and other criminal proceeds. Upon conclusion of investigation, the suspects will be charged to court in accordance with extant laws.

The arrests and recoveries are a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of sustained intelligence gathering, ICT-enabled investigation, inter-agency collaboration, inter-state cooperation and coordinated operational policing adopted by the Command.

I wish to assure the Government and people of Enugu State that the Command remains resolute in its offensive against kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape, cultism and other violent crimes across the State. Our intelligence assets and operational teams remain fully engaged in identifying criminal networks, dismantling their structures and bringing their members to justice.

We will continue to make Enugu State increasingly unconducive to unrepentant local criminals, criminal elements seeking to infiltrate the State, and their activities.

I most sincerely appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, for his strategic leadership, guidance and sustained operational support, which have continued to enhance effective and result-oriented policing in Enugu State.

I would also like to express my profound gratitude tothe Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his unwavering support and commitment to making the State safe, secure and conducive for residents, visitors and legitimate economic activities. His forward-looking leadership and support for training and security operations have significantly strengthened our collective efforts to combat crime in the State.

I equally commend other security agencies for their collaborative support, while also thanking members of the public for their continued cooperation and timely provision of useful information to the Police. Community support remains indispensable to effective intelligence-led policing. I therefore urge residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities through established Police channels.

Thank you for your time and attention.

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Again, Enugu bursts criminal syndicates, Police nab 14 kidnap suspects

Published

15 hours ago

August 14, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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… Recover 5 AK-47 Riffles, 2 pump action rifles, ammunition

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested and paraded 14 kidnap suspects involved in various kidnap operations in and outside the state.

Briefing pressmen at the Command’s headquarters in Enugu on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, said among them were two remaining suspects linked to the August 2 kidnapping raid on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Affa, Udi LGA of the state, who fled to Port Harcourt following the operational pressure mounted by joint security operatives.

“Further intelligence-led operations by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit (AK-VCRU) led to the arrest of two additional male suspects linked to the Affa Church kidnapping. Preliminary investigation reveals that, after fleeing Enugu, the suspects regrouped with their cohorts in Port Harcourt and abducted another victim, who was released after a ransom of ₦5m was paid,” he said.

CP Giwa noted that all the 14 suspects were arrested on various dates in June, July and August 2026 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara and Taraba States.

The suspects had also confessed to involvement in several recent and past kidnapping incidents along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road, Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu Road, Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis, and various locations in Ezeagu LGA.

“Specifically, preliminary investigation has linked the suspects to the following armed kidnapping incidents: the abduction of a male victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu LGA, on 25th May, 2026, during which ₦5m was obtained as ransom; the abduction of two male victims and the shooting and murder of a female victim at Obioma, Udi LGA, on 9th May, 2026, during which the gang obtained $28,700 as ransom; the abduction of two male victims along the Eke–Ezinze Road, Udi LGA, on 10th April, 2026, for which $70,000 was obtained as ransom; and the kidnapping of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu LGA, on 12th April, 2026, during which ₦25m was obtained as ransom,” he explained.

The CP revealed that the suspects, who were members of an organised criminal network operating from different parts of the country, usually came into the state to plan and execute kidnapping operations before disappearing to their respective locations.

“The network is aided by an Enugu-based member who operates a tricycle and provides transportation for the gang members, their firearms and other criminal implements to and from operational locations. Another Enugu-based member provides intelligence that enables the gang to evade security surveillance and identify suitable targets and locations,” he added.

According to Giwa, investigation revealed that the suspects laundered and concealed proceeds of their criminal activities through investments in livestock and different properties, and engaged in lavish spending as well as leisure and trips to foreign nations such as Cameroon.

He said the Command was still conducting more investigations to establish the suspects’ involvement in other kidnapping and violent-crime incidents within and outside Enugu State, identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, and recover additional firearms, ammunition and other criminal proceeds.

“Upon conclusion of investigation, the suspects will be charged to court in accordance with extant laws'” he added.

The police command also displayed five AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated firearm, 310 rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, eight live cartridges, and seven empty AK-47 magazines recovered from the suspects.

CP Giwa credited the successes recorded by the Enugu Police Command to the availability of state-of-the-art security infrastructure, effectiveness of sustained intelligence gathering, ICT-enabled investigation, inter-agency collaboration, inter-state cooperation and coordinated operational policing adopted by the Command.

He commended Governor Peter Mbah and the Inspector General of Police for their leadership and support in ensuring security and order in Enugu State.

“I would also like to express my profound gratitude to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his for-looking leadership and for making the state safe.

“I equally commend other security agencies for their collaborative support, while also thanking members of the public for their continued cooperation,” he concluded.

The CP reiterated police’s readiness to make Enugu State increasingly unconducive to unrepentant local criminals, criminal elements seeking to infiltrate the State, commending Governor Peter Mbah and IGP Disu for their strategic leadership and support.

Meanwhile, one of the suspects, confessed his crime to newsmen, saying his gang operated along the stretch of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and earned multimillion naira in ransoms before they were bursted by security forces.