Food Traders boycott South-East as Northerners flee due to alleged ipob incessant attacks
Leadership of some northern groups involved in commercial activities between the North and South East zone have directed commodity traders and truck drivers to shun the zone over incessant killings of their members by members of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
As reported by Daily Trust, the coordinator of the Northern Consensus Forum, Dr Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, said that they have declared 3 days warning strike due to the constant killing of the northerners in the South East, adding that not less than 100 northerners were murdered in the zone within last week.
He said the strike action became necessary so as to stop northern youths from taking laws into their hands in retaliation for continued killings.
Aliyu said the strike, which began on Thursday (yesterday) has started yielding positive impact adding that they have notified security agencies and all state governors in the North and those in the affected zone.
Movement of supply trucks is said to be halted on major routes since the commencement of the boycott order with prices of food items soaring in major towns in the South East and the South South zones.
“We have blocked the roads linking the North to the East ranging from Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara and Plateau state among others, and the truck drivers are cooperating with us, “ he said.
It will be recalled that at least 24 persons within three days were killed by unknown gunmen, while enforcing a stay-at-home order declared by a factional spokesperson of IPOB, Simon Ekpa.
The Public Relations Officer of the Arewa Progressives Forum for 17 states in Southern Nigeria, Malam Badamasi Muhammad said that most northerners living in the villages of the South East have relocated back to the North over fear of the incessant attacks. He said only few people who are living in major cities remain, though they also live in panic.
He said most of those who are still in the South East are there because they have no other options.
“The main reasons why we and others are still here is lack of sufficient opportunities in the North and some of us are used to living in the South East. Many were born and brought up here, many don’t have any other thing to do in the North. Some will prefer to stay here due to the level of the poverty in the North, but as I am talking to you, many have vacated and moved back to the North.
“We used to have many of our people in the villages of South East before; mainly petty traders, those selling beef skewers, cobblers, etc. All have now left due to the activities of the Biafra agitators. It is getting worse these days,” he said.
He expressed happiness with the order to stop commodities from the North getting to the South East, saying it will save the lives of those involved.
“We are very happy with this measure. It’s an action that will send messages to the governors and traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the zone. Our members are being murdered daily. Happily, the federal government has been taking action by deploying huge security formations within the cities, these killers need to be arrested and brought to book. If a young man will make a tweet and will be traced by security men and arrested, what stops the same security agencies from tracing these killers?” He asked.
Another resident of Imo State, Muhammed Abdulkadir, said that the killings of northerners in the South East is getting worse on a daily basis. “As I am talking to you, even yesterday (Wednesday) many of our people were killed at Idiato, along Onitsha-Owerri road. The victims were truck drivers and their boys who were conveying noodles, floors and other commodities. Also, some bus passengers were intercepted and killed, they were burnt along with their vehicles.
“I was involved in preparing the dead bodies for burial. We took the wounded ones to hospitals. The Imo State governor had been assisting us with some funds to bury the victims, but it seems he is even tired of it lately,” he said.
The Sarkin Hausawa of Enugu, Alhaji Haruna Sulaiman, who said both him and his father were born in Enugu, bemoaned the ongoing tension while urging the northerners in the South East to always abide by the order.
“Our people should always stay at home whenever there is a sit-at-home order. I have been advising those living in the villages and remote areas to vacate, even me, I don’t go to such areas. I have friends who usually invite me for their occasions, but when I know it is a village, I don’t go, I will just contribute and give them money for the weddings. The precautionary measures are necessary and our people should understand and be careful” he said.
On the boycott order by some northern groups, the Sarkin Hausawa said it will be of help to a certain level as it will draw the attention of leaders to their predicament. “With the strike, even those who are not aware of the current situation, will now know, and maybe it will resolve the issue. But it will also affect us; any northerner you see in the East, he is here for business or working as labourers, so the strike will also affect us” he said.
Some residents of the region said that the price of perishable goods and other food items usually supplied from the northern part of the country have risen.
A resident of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Mukhtar Muhammed, told Daily Trust that the price of perishable goods and some food items have shot up less than 12 hours after the boycott announced by the truck drivers and traders bringing goods from the North to the East.
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Two Policemen shot dead in gun duel with suspected kidnappers
Two Policemen shot dead in gun duel with suspected kidnappers
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed two police officers during a foiled kidnapping operation around Little Rayfield community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Jos, stating that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the attempted abduction.
Residents of Little Rayfield told our correspondent that at about 9 pm on Tuesday, gunshots were heard in the area.
They added that the kidnappers had attempted to kidnap some individuals, but the act was foiled by the men of the state police command.
According to DSP Alfred, the slain police officers were on special duty in the state from Abuja.
Alfred said, “The Plateau State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of the arrest of four (4) suspected kidnappers in the recent foiled kidnapping incident that took place along Little Rayfield Road, Jos.
“However, two (2) of our officers namely; Fatoyo Femi and Inspr Dafur Dashit attached to Force Investigation Department, Abuja (IRT) who are on special duty in Jos lost their lives during the exchange of gunfire with the suspected kidnappers.
“Meanwhile, the case is under investigation. Further development will be communicated in due course. The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, psc appeals for calm in the State as the situation is under control.”
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Pandemonium erupts as Youth was shot during encounter with Army personnel
Pandemonium erupts as Youth was shot during encounter with Army personnel
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)
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BREAKING; Dangote announces significant reduction in petrol price per litre
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)
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