Police confirm death of youth in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday, confirmed the death of a youth in a crisis that erupted in Ette, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state.

DSP Timfon John, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), made the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikot Abasi.

She said that the crisis started on Tuesday night in Ette when an army man was pursuing a boy in the community and was descended on by a mob.

‘’In an attempt to escape the mob action, the army man fired and shot one of the villagers; both the army and the villager are receiving treatment in a hospital.

‘’The situation is under control and investigation has commenced to unravel the perpetrators of the crime,’’ John said.

A source, who refused to mention his name, told NAN that the crisis was as a result of the alleged killing of a local boy by an army man attached to an oil company in Ikot Abasi.

He said that there had been a protest by the youths in the area demanding that the military should focus on their duty to the company and not target the innocent citizens.

He said that the Tuesday crisis led to the burning of five trucks, a bus and a Hilux belonging to the company.

The source said that the crisis led to the blocking of East-West Road leading to Port Harcourt, forcing motorists to divert to other routes for safety. (NAN)

BREAKING; Dangote announces significant reduction in petrol price per litre

Dangote reduces petrol price Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has once again reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, marking the second price cut this month.

The company disclosed this in statement signed by its Head of Media Communications, Mr Anthony Echiejina, Wednesday in Lagos.

It explained that the company had reduced the price by N65, from the previous N890 per litre, bringing it down to N825 per litre at the gantry (ex-depot).

This follows a N60 reduction earlier in February.

The company noted that the ex-depot price had dropped from N950 per litre in January to N825 per litre, reflecting a N125 reduction over the past 26 days.

“This recent price adjustment is expected to ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos.

“The new price will take effect from Thursday, February 27, and is aimed at providing much-needed relief to Nigerians, particularly in light of the upcoming Ramadan season.

“This strategic price adjustment is designed to offer essential relief to Nigerians during Ramadan while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policies by easing the financial burden on the populace,” the statement read.

It further highlighted that Dangote Petroleum Refinery had consistently lowered petrol and other refined petroleum product prices for the benefit of Nigerians.

The statement said that this price reduction marked the second time this month that PMS prices had been slashed, following a N60 decrease earlier in February.

It said, “In December 2024, during the holiday season, the refinery reduced petrol prices by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its ongoing commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief during the festive period.”

The refinery emphasised that previous reductions had a positive impact on the overall cost of living and helped prevent the typical fuel shortages and price hikes associated with the holiday season.

Dangote also assured that its high-quality products, which had gained popularity both domestically and internationally, would remain available nationwide through its key partners, MRS Holdings, AP (Ardova Petroleum), and Heyden, at market-friendly rates.

The statement outlined the following prices for Dangote petrol at various retail outlets:

MRS Holdings stations: N860 per litre in Lagos, N870 in the South-West, N880 in the North, and N890 in the South-South and South-East regions.

AP (Ardova Petroleum) and Heyden stations: N865 per litre in Lagos, N875 in the South-West, N885 in the North, and N895 in the South-South and South-East regions.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery also assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand and a surplus for export, thereby contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

It called on marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians are the primary beneficiaries of these efforts.

It emphasised that such collective actions would contribute to the broader economic recovery plan, spearheaded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at making Nigeria self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and positioning the country as a major oil export hub.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has successfully exported its products to Europe, America, Asia, and other regions, recently supplied jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.

The refinery has confirmed it holds over 500 million litres of petrol in storage, enough to meet Nigeria’s petrol demand for several days.

Additionally, the refinery’s capacity of 650,000 barrels per day surpasses Nigeria’s average daily petrol requirement of 385,000 barrels. (NAN)

Woo President Tinubu to join PDP – Group challenges FCT Minister Wike

A prominent group, the PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, has called on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to work towards persuading President Bola Tinubu to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The group emphasised that such a move would demonstrate Wike’s unwavering loyalty to the party.

The statement came in Umuahia on Tuesday, in response to remarks allegedly made by Wike, where he criticized Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, for commending the accomplishments of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

Emeka Ikpegbu, the National Coordinator of the PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, defended Wabara, asserting that the BoT Chairman had committed no wrongdoing in recognizing Otti’s achievements.

Ikpegbu further challenged Wike, urging him to go a step further by convincing President Tinubu to join the PDP, thereby solidifying his loyalty to the party beyond any doubt.

“Wike should first bring his principal, President Bola Tinubu, who he praises everyday to the PDP before preaching to us about anti-party.

“Is there any anti-party as bad as a former Governor and a presidential aspirant in PDP serving as a Minister under APC? How many times has Wike publicly praised President Tinubu yet nobody has sanctioned him for anti-party.

“Why will he begin to lecture us now on how to sanction members for anti-party?” He queried.

The group, while advising Wike to steer clear of criticising Wabara and the PDP governors, also praised both the governors and the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) for their resolute position in navigating the political turmoil in Rivers State.

They further lauded the BoT for upholding the Enugu Court of Appeal’s judgment, which affirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.

Looking ahead, the group expressed optimism for the PDP’s future in the 2027 elections, urging party members to stand firm against any efforts to intimidate those working to revitalize and reposition the party.