Nigerians to see cheaper fuel soon, thanks to Dangote refinery – Analyst

Nigerians can anticipate a downward reduction in petrol pump prices in the coming weeks, largely due to the increasing impact and strategic operations of the Dangote Refinery.

This projection comes from an analyst and Head, Investment Research at Comercio Partners Limited, Ifeayi Ubah, interviewed on ARISE TV on Saturday, highlighting a significant shift in Nigeria’s energy landscape.

The analyst emphasised that the Dangote Refinery’s recent price adjustments are a direct response to international market trends.

“For the Dangote Refineries slashing prices, he’s just following what the international prices are. So, we saw the international prices go down the time Danger Day slashed prices,” Ubah said in the interview.

This positive outlook is rooted in Nigeria’s evolving position within the global petroleum market. The nation is gradually transitioning from being heavily reliant on imported finished products to becoming a prominent exporter.

The strategic shift is expected to significantly reduce the drain on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, which previously went towards fuel imports. The interview also hinted at another refinery, Buharabi, being established in the South-South region, which could further boost domestic supply and potentially lead to a surplus of petroleum products.

While acknowledging the inherent volatility in global energy prices, the analyst, Ubah, stressed that the long-term impact of local refining capacity would override temporary fluctuations.

Power surge sparks fire in Kwara plaza, firefighters save building

The Kwara State Fire Service on Saturday prevented a major disaster by saving nine units of two-bedroom flats and ten shops from destruction during a fire outbreak in Ganmo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

The affected flats, located at God First Plaza, opposite the Transmission Company of Nigeria, along Ogbondoroko Road, Ganmo, were engulfed by fire in the early hours of the day.

According to the Fire Service, the fire was caused by a power surge that originated from one of the ten flats in the building.

It was further gathered that combustible materials, including mattresses and planks, inside the affected flat intensified the fire.

No lives were lost in the incident. The ten shops, which include cosmetics stores, were also saved through the swift response of the firemen, who succeeded in preventing the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.

In a statement signed by Hassan Adekunle, a Principal Fire Officer and Head of Media and Publicity on behalf of the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, details of the incident were provided.“On Saturday, 21st June 2025, at about 06:20 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at God First Plaza, opposite TCN, Ogbondoroko Road, Ganmo, Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State.

“The fire crew promptly responded and arrived at the scene to find a one-storey building housing 10 units of two-bedroom flats and 10 shops engulfed in flames.

“Undeterred, the firemen immediately swung into action, demonstrating exceptional professionalism and expertise. Their swift intervention successfully curtailed the fire, preventing it from spreading to adjacent structures.

“During the firefighting operation, a loud explosion from shattering glass startled occupants, causing them to flee the scene. Thankfully, no injuries were recorded, and all fire officers remained unharmed. Due to the firemen’s courageous efforts, only one flat was affected by the outbreak.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was triggered by a power surge. The affected flat contained numerous combustible materials, which contributed to the rapid escalation of the flames,” the statement said.

Adekunle further stated that: “The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, sympathized with those affected and urged the public to strictly observe fire safety precautions to prevent future occurrences.”

Fans swarm Troost-Ekong in Lagos meet frenzy

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of fans in Lagos on Friday evening, as he hosted a meet and greet ahead of the second edition of his foundation’s charity match, scheduled for Sunday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The event, held at the Puma store in Palms Mall, Lekki, offered fans a rare opportunity to interact with the Nigeria international in an informal setting, just days before the highly anticipated #PlayForPurpose fixture.

Supporters of all ages gathered in large numbers, many arriving hours early to get a chance to take photographs, receive autographs and share personal moments with the player.

The meet and greet also served as a show of appreciation to Puma, one of the lead sponsors of the charity initiative

Speaking exclusively to PUNCH Sports Extra shortly after the event, Troost-Ekong said the occasion held deep personal and professional significance.

“This meet and greet was great,” he said.

“It was a way to pay homage to fans and also one of our biggest partners, Puma, who’ve been supporting us for two events now. It’s not been easy. They believed in us even before we had the proof of concept done.hey asked me to come down and I did that with all pleasure. I feel part of the Puma family now. I brought my children, brought my family, and I’m looking forward to seeing them there in the stadium with us this Sunday as well.”

Reflecting on the broader sponsorship landscape and the logistical effort behind the initiative, the former Watford and Udinese defender praised his team for their dedication and the sponsors for their early belief in the project.

“Sponsorship has been good. It’s been a lot of work. I have to say thank you also to the BFA staff and everyone who’s been working on this since January. It’s been six months for us to get here.

“I know people only found out about this event maybe two months ago, maybe six weeks ago, but we’ve been working on this for a long time. It’s not been easy. The most difficult thing is to get people to believe in what we’re doing even before all the names come out.

“This part is easy because now you see what we’re doing and everyone wants to be involved, I’m getting messages from all kinds of people saying, ‘I want to play’, messages from brands saying they want to be involved.

“But a few months ago, when you said you were bringing this to Lagos at this moment in time, you had to get people to believe in it. Now everyone sees what we can do, and we can continue to do that in the years to come,” he said.

Sunday’s charity match will feature an all-star cast of sports and entertainment personalities, including boxing world champion Anthony Joshua, Super Eagles forwards Victor Osimhen and Odion Ighalo, former internationals Obafemi Martins and Vincent Enyeama, as well as popular musicians Flavour, Falz and ODUMODUBLVCK.

The first edition, held last year in Uyo, was widely praised for its community outreach and carnival-like atmosphere.

The Lagos edition is expected to draw an even larger audience, with proceeds supporting the foundation’s efforts to empower underprivileged children through football.

Anambra CP seeks community cooperation to nab Oko attack hoodlums

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has visited the scene of a gunmen attack in Oko Community, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Recall that some yet-to-identified assailants on Thursday attacked the Oko community, killing no fewer than four persons suspected to be students and injuring about seven others.

The hoodlums also kidnapped two other persons, thereby causing panic in and around the institution.

The hoodlums were said to arrive the area and started shooting unprovoked in an incident that was later attributed to be cult-related by the police authorities.

Recall that some yet-to-identified assailants on Thursday attacked the Oko community, killing no fewer than four persons suspected to be students and injuring about seven others.

The hoodlums also kidnapped two other persons, thereby causing panic in and around the institution.

The hoodlums were said to arrive the area and started shooting unprovoked in an incident that was later attributed to be cult-related by the police authorities.

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During Orutugu’s visit, he interacted with the hospital’s management where some of the victims are receiving treatment and offered support for their treatment.

In a press statement released on Saturday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the CP has stepped up reinforcement team in the area, especially within the hostels and school environment.

Ikenga said the CP met with the Orumba North Local Government Chairman, Casmir Nwafor, with some stakeholders in attendance, including the leadership of Oko Polytechnic Students Union, who pledged to collaborate with the police and other security agencies.Ikenga said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, on June 20, 2025, led a high-powered investigation team comprising operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Tactical Teams and Operations Department of the Command on a spot assessment at the crime scene in Oko, Orumba North Local Government where two people were murdered and two others abducted

“Two individuals, including a lady, are also receiving treatment in the hospital. During the visit, the CP interacted with the local government chairman and some stakeholders in the area and sought greater cooperation among residents/community members, as well as students in exposing the criminals in the area.

“In their response, the Orumba North Local Government Chairman, Casmir Nwafor, with some stakeholders in attendance, including the leadership of Oko Polytechnic Students Union, pledged to collaborate with the Police and other security agencies, indicating a willingness to share information and provide intelligence and insights to help identify and apprehend perpetrators.

“The stakeholders also pledged to support investigations and assist the police in gathering evidence and piecing together the events surrounding the incident as well as work together to implement security measures and prevent future incidents.”

According to him, the CP assured of a holistic approach in addressing the incident by prioritising both investigation and commitment to victims’ support.

“After the engagement, the CP, thereafter visited the hospital where some of the victims were receiving treatment, interacted with the Management of the facility and offered support for the treatment of the survivors.

“Also, while patrolling the area the CP directed immediate security reinforcement aimed at stepping up security surveillance/measures, especially securing areas with high concentration of people, such as hostels and schools, to minimise risks and ensure public safety.“The Command remains committed to exploring strategies to improve safety and nip to the bud any untoward or similar incident from recurring,” the statement added.

Tinubu to champion integration at W’Africa economic summit

president Bola Tinubu will on Saturday, June 21, 2025, (today) attend the West Africa Economic Summit at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The Economic Summit, which enters its second and final day on Saturday, precedes the 67th Ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States, scheduled at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement he signed Saturday titled ‘President Tinubu To Advance Economic Integration At The West Africa Economic Summit’.

“An initiative of President Tinubu in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, WAES is the first of its kind and is convened to deepen regional economic integration. Its strong focus is on enhancing trade and investment cooperation across the subregion,” said Onanuga.

President Tinubu had extended invitations to the Member States of the Alliance of Sahelian States and Mauritania to “demonstrate his commitment to inclusive dialogue and regional cooperation,” the statement read.

Presidents of Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, The Gambia, Benin, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau have confirmed their participation at the Economic Summit, which is expected to “yield concrete outcomes and deliverables to fast-track West Africa’s integration agenda as a critical foundation for sustainable peace, security, and prosperity in the region,” it added.

Those attending the summit are Ministers of Finance, Trade, Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs from the ECOWAS Member States, as well as representatives from regional economic bodies such as the West African Monetary Agency, West African Monetary Institute, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, the West African Economic and Monetary Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.

Private sector leaders, development partners, and policy experts are also participating.

Ahead of the Summit, the President dispatched a team of Special Envoys to deliver formal invitations to Heads of State and Government across the region.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, led the delegation, which included the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Sola Enikanolaiye.

Heineken withdraws staff as armed rebels seize facilities in Eastern DR Congo

Heineken has lost operational control and withdrawn its staff from facilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), CNN on Saturday quoted that the Dutch brewer announced on Friday.

In March, the company had suspended operations in three eastern cities, citing safety concerns after breweries were damaged and depots raided during clashes between government forces and rebels.

On Friday, Heineken said the situation had worsened. Armed groups have taken control of its sites in Bukavu and Goma—eastern Congo’s largest cities—as well as surrounding areas.

“The conditions required to operate responsibly and safely are no longer present and as of 12th June 2025, we have lost operational control,” it said in a statement.

PUNCH Online reported on Wednesday, Congo, Rwanda, and the United States said their technical teams had initialed a draft peace agreement, which is expected to be signed next week.

Heineken’s local unit, Bralima, continues to operate in parts of the country not affected by the fighting. The company said it is monitoring developments closely.

Heineken owns four breweries in the DRC, producing its namesake beer along with local brands such as Primus. It previously said its Bukavu facilities employed about 1,000 people directly and indirectly.

“Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our employees,” Friday’s statement read.

Reuters also reported, “We have withdrawn all remaining staff from these sites and we have continued to support them financially.”

Nearly 14 per cent of Heineken’s total revenue comes from its Middle East and Africa operations, with Congo—home to over 100 million people—a significant market.

Before the suspension, operations in Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira represented roughly one-third of Heineken’s business in the country.

Conflict in eastern Congo has intensified in 2025, with the M23 rebel group making major territorial gains, sparking fears of broader regional instability.

Congo accuses Rwanda of backing M23 with troops and weapons—allegations Rwanda has consistently denied.

Uphold professionalism, protect democracy, Naval chief tells personnel

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has charged personnel of the Nigerian Navy to remain professional in the discharge of their duties and remain committed to protecting the nation’s democracy.

Ogalla, represented by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Admiralty Integrated Farms Limited, Rear Adm. Julius Nwagu, gave the charge at the 2025 Second Quarter Route March on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the route march was organised as a show of force to prepare personnel to be mentally and physically fit.

According to him, it is aimed at developing personnel physical and mental alertness to meet the dynamics of contemporary security operations as well as fostering esprit de corps and providing an avenue for relaxation.

“I enjoin you to be more professional in the conduct of your duties and day activities.

“Furthermore, I encourage you not to engage in any act of misdemeanor or take laws into your hands that could bring the service into disrepute in the course of your duty.

“Furthermore, I charge you all to show dedication to duty and unflinching support to our democracy and constituted authority,” he said.Ogalla pledged his commitment to continue to support the personnel by providing all the required needs to function optimally in the area of their responsibilities.

He said the Nigerian Navy was also a major contributor to the Gulf of Guinea maritime security arrangement, as well as a major participant in internal security duties all over the country.

This, he said, made it imperative for them to be mentally and physically fit at all times.

“Thus, the exercise and physical training remain the bedrocks of naval personnel’s daily mental and physical readiness for sea show and ashore duties. It is pertinent to state that the commitment of the Nigerian Navy towards enhancing mental and physical fitness has yielded dividends.

“This has been witnessed with the sterling contributions of the Nigerian Navy to national security, peace and prosperity. It is in recognition of this fact and the desire of the service to keep the personnel physically fit that the route march, amongst other physical fitness exercises, is sustained in the Navy schedule of events.

“As you are aware, the Nigerian Navy has just concluded Operation Obangame Express. “The exercise was aimed at partnering with regional and global maritime stakeholders on the security of maritime domain awareness of littoral states within the African continent,” he added.

Gunmen kill ex-PDP chair in Benue.

Gunmen have killed the former Peoples Democratic Party chairman of Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, Aondoakaa Yaiyol.

Yaiyol before he was killed Friday night was the Commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services in the local government.

It was gathered that the deceased lost his wife last year in the same circumstance and his house burnt.

The PDP state publicity secretary, Tim Nyior confirmed the assassination of Yaiyol in a telephone call on Saturday.

Nyior said, “It’s true that the man was once PDP chairman in Tarka LGA before his current position as commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services in Tarka.

“Unfortunately, his wife was killed just last year,” he said.

Also confirming the incident on Saturday, the Special Adviser to governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har described it as an ‘assasination’.

Har said, “It was an assassination of commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services NHFSS, Aondoakaa Yaiyol

“They came on a bike and shot him at close quarters and fled.

“After they shot the guy, they fired sporadically to scare others and then fled on a bike and they were shielded by two cars also firing sporadically to scare away people.

“Sketchy investigation shows that a criminal that attacked and killed the deceased wife and burnt the house was sent to prison. On his return both of them were chasing each other until this happened.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the report and said that police were on the trail of the suspect.

“The incident is confirmed, immediately police in Tarka received the report, a team of officers was detailed to arrest him and they trailed him to his hideout but escaped before officers could reach there.

Edet assured that the suspect would soon be apprehended.

Wike promises pay rise after band sings in Chinese at road unveiling

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday left many Nigerians amused after he publicly promised to increase the wages of his official music band during a project commissioning in Abuja.

Wike made the announcement while commissioning the newly completed collector road from Mabushi to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, a project executed by a Chinese construction firm.

Midway into the event, the band’s lead singer entertained the crowd with a hilarious twist, mimicking a song in what appeared to be ‘Chinese’, in a nod to the nationality of the contractors.

Impressed by their performance, the Minister announced that he would increase their wages.

“Now that my band can sing in Chinese language, I’ll now increase their fees,” the minister said, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.

Shortly after his statement, the band broke into another tune, chanting, “Agreement is agreement,” repeatedly calling Wike’s name before ending with the phrase “Chi hu chan.”

LASTMA accused of covering up N70m excavator theft at Lagos yard

The management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has come under fire over an alleged attempt to cover up the theft of an impounded excavator worth about N70m by two members of staff.

PUNCH Metro gathered from insiders on Thursday that the incident, which occurred on June 10, has thrown the agency into confusion, with several staff members accusing top management of shielding one of the suspects involved.

According to insiders, who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case, the missing excavator had been parked at LASTMA’s headquarters for over a decade after it was reportedly impounded.

However, the incident came to light after workers resumed work following the Sallah holiday and noticed the equipment was gone.

That excavator was impounded over 10 years ago,” a source familiar with the matter told PUNCH Metro on the condition of anonymity.

The source added, “Such vehicles are only removed after proper documentation and approval. But when we returned from the Sallah break, we noticed it was no longer there.”

The source explained that preliminary findings indicated that a PSP (Private Sector Participant) operator, who owns a tow truck, presented a signed document at the agency’s gate and was granted access to remove the excavator from the premises.