News

Damaged homes and public buildings after a destructive windstorm in Jigawa State.

Windstorm kills seven, affects over 5,400 residents across Jigawa

At least seven people have died and 5,403 others have been affected after powerful windstorms swept through 120 communities across 13 local government areas of Jigawa State. The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Relief Management Agency (SEMA), Hannafi Yakubu, disclosed the figures while briefing journalists in Dutse on Wednesday. Yakubu said the windstorms struck at the beginning of the rainy season, causing widespread destruction to homes and public infrastructure across the state. According to him, about 50 schools and health facilities, as well as two police stations, were damaged, describing the windstorms as the most significant disaster currently facing the state. Although widespread flooding has not yet occurred, he said the windstorms alone had caused extensive damage across several local government areas. SEMA is working with the National Emergency Management Agency to assess the full extent of the damage and coordinate emergency response efforts. Yakubu appealed to the Federal Government, local government councils, development partners, humanitarian organisations, corporate bodies and individuals to support affected communities. He also revealed that the Jigawa State Government had approved more than ₦800 million for emergency preparedness ahead of the rainy season, with relief materials already being stockpiled for rapid response. The affected local government areas are Dutse, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Kiyawa, Babura, Gumel, Kaugama, Ringim, Gagarawa, Kirikasamma, Sule Tankarkar, Miga and Buji. Ringim recorded the highest number of affected persons with 1,182 victims, followed by Dutse (792), Babura (650), Kirikasamma (605) and Birnin Kudu (539). Yakubu also confirmed an isolated flooding incident in Miga Local Government Area, where more than 70 hectares of farmland were destroyed. He said the incident could not yet be classified as part of the annual flooding season because major rivers had not overflowed. He assured residents that the state government would continue to strengthen disaster preparedness and provide relief to affected communities.

Court orders EFCC to apologise, pay ex-power minister Agunloye ₦10m for defamation

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay ₦10 million in damages to former Minister of Power, Dr Olu Agunloye, after ruling that the agency defamed him through a publication on its official website and X account. Justice Peter Kekemeke delivered the judgment on Wednesday in a suit filed by Agunloye, holding that the EFCC’s publication titled “EFCC arraigns Agunloye over $6bn fraud” was false and defamatory. According to Punch, the former minister argued that the publication wrongly portrayed him as corrupt and fraudulent, damaging his reputation. He instituted the suit after the report appeared on the anti-graft agency’s official platforms. In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the publication contained all the essential elements of defamation, noting that it was published permanently and clearly identified Agunloye. The court further observed that the EFCC’s witness, Assistant Commissioner of Police Umar Babangida, initially denied knowledge of the publication but later admitted during trial that it originated from the commission’s media department. Justice Kekemeke stated that a review of the criminal charge against Agunloye showed there was no allegation of fraud, contrary to the EFCC’s publication. “The issue of fraud is not in any of the exhibits tendered before the court. The EFCC failed to prove the truth of the publication,” the judge held. The court emphasised that while the EFCC has statutory powers to investigate financial crimes, it was aware that Agunloye was not standing trial for a $6 billion fraud. Consequently, the court declared the publication false and defamatory, ordered the EFCC to retract it, and directed the commission to publish a public apology on its website and in two national newspapers. It also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the agency from making further defamatory publications against the former minister. Reacting to the judgment, EFCC counsel, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), said the commission would appeal the ruling, arguing that Agunloye’s underlying criminal case is still pending before the court.

Peter Obi speaking during a political event while criticising the Tinubu administration over economic hardship and insecurity in Nigeria.

Peter Obi claims government intimidation, fears he may not be alive for 2027 election

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has said he may not be alive to contest the next presidential election, alleging that the Federal Government is frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures. Obi made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo and published on Wednesday. Responding to a question on whether he could miss the 2027 presidential race, Obi said there was a possibility he might not even be alive. > “Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive,” he said. The former Peter Obi, however, said he was not making a direct accusation but insisted he experienced constant frustration. According to him, actions that should ordinarily be routine had become difficult, adding that while there might not be direct evidence, he believed the government’s influence was visible in many of the challenges he faced. Obi further alleged that the administration was targeting members of the opposition and claimed he had been denied privileges he was entitled to. He cited an incident at an airport where he alleged officials locked his vehicle while other cars parked in the same area were left untouched. The former Anambra State governor also claimed that some associates now avoided greeting him publicly for fear of being linked to him, while others had discouraged him from attending family ceremonies to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Obi did not provide evidence to substantiate his allegations during the interview. As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not responded to his claims.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery facility as the company announces a N50 reduction in petrol ex-gantry price to N1,125 per litre.

Dangote refinery offers free petrol delivery to Abuja, five states

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced free delivery of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to six locations across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, while maintaining its ex-depot price at ₦1,075 per litre. The development was announced on Wednesday in a notice shared on the refinery’s official X account and first reported by Punch Newspapers. According to the company, the free delivery service covers Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kaduna and Delta states. The offer is available to customers purchasing a minimum of 250,000 litres of petrol. The initiative comes shortly after the refinery held talks with stakeholders in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector on cost-reflective petrol pricing. Participants at the meeting reportedly expressed support for further reductions in fuel prices. The refinery recently implemented its fourth reduction in the gantry price of petrol, bringing the ex-depot price down to ₦1,075 per litre. Meanwhile, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Maigandi, recently disclosed that petrol retail prices had dropped by about ₦125 per litre over the past three weeks. He said pump prices currently range between ₦1,155 and ₦1,299 per litre, depending on location and marketer. The free delivery initiative is expected to reduce logistics costs for bulk buyers and could further influence petrol pricing in the affected states.