News
In 8 Month, Over 1 thousand Nigerians were Killed by Gunmen-Amnesty International
Amnesty International’s Nigeria office has described as shameful how the country’s security agencies have been handling repeated attacks by gunmen in villages across the northern region.
After speaking with residents of communities in seven northwest and north-central states, the human rights group shared its findings in a statement obtained by an online Newspaper HumAngle on Monday.
It observed that, between January and August, 1,126 civilians in the north were killed by rampaging gunmen, out of which 366 were from the south of Kaduna.
“Many of those interviewed described how security forces often arrive hours after attacks have ended, even when officers have been given information about impending attacks,” it said.
The group said it has also documented an upsetting increase in abductions in the region, with at least 380 people, mostly women and children, kidnapped this year.
Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stated that the failure of the security forces to take adequate steps in protecting villagers “from these predictable attacks is utterly shameful”.
“In addition to the security forces’ failure to heed warnings or respond in time to save lives, the fact that no perpetrators have been brought to justice leaves rural communities feeling completely exposed.
“The President claims he has repeatedly tasked security agencies to end the killing so that Nigerians can go to bed with their eyes closed, but clearly nothing has changed,” he added.
Witnesses in Kaduna, Plateau, and Kaduna states told Amnesty International that the attacks in their communities were well-coordinated and the invaders, who rode on motorcycles, were heavily armed. They also complained that they received little or no help from security forces even though they might have been pre-informed or called during attacks.
One resident of Unguwan Magaji, a community in southern Kaduna, said soldiers who came during an attack got intimidated after seeing the invaders’ firepower.
“Our leaders called and informed the soldiers that the attackers are in the village, so the soldiers did not waste time and they came but when they came and saw the type of ammunitions the attackers had they left. The following morning so many soldiers came with their Hilux pick-up trucks to see the dead bodies,” he reported.
Amnesty International’s release quoted the lamentation of a farmer in Kaduna whose 20-year-old son was killed in Kukum Daji.
“He had just gotten admission to the University of Jos. He was at home due to the Corona pandemic, then the attack happened,” he said.
Zamfara Banditry: Dialogue remains the best option- Government
“When I saw his dead body, my body became very weak, I started feeling dizzy, I thought I was going to fall, my whole body was on fire but there was nothing I could do, I just told myself that am leaving everything to God. I will never be happy again in this life for losing this boy. His death has really affected me.”
Ojigho observed that the series of attacks have led to massive food insecurity and the displacement of civilians. “The majority of the people in these communities depend on farming for their livelihoods, but they are now too afraid to go to their fields,” he said.
“This is pushing the region to the brink of a major humanitarian crisis. The Nigerian authorities’ failure to stem the violence is costing people’s lives and livelihoods, and without immediate action, many more lives may be lost.”
He urged government agencies against arresting critics who dared demanded adequate security. Instead, he added, the authorities “should be seeking urgent solutions to this crisis and doing all they can to prevent further attacks”.
News
Breaking: Former Secretary of Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, Ahmadu Kurfi Passes On at 93
A former secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, has passed away.
A family source, Jafar Yakubu, informed NIGERIAN TRACKER about the death of the pioneer secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, who supervised the 1979 general election.
Jafar Yakubu said Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi died at the age of 93 and his Janaza funeral prayers will take place by 2:30 PM at Kurfi in KATSINA state .
Dr. Amadu Kurfi, OFR, was born in 1931. He was a former chairman of the then Marketing Board, former Federal Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence, and the first person to acquire a BSc degree in the whole of Katsina State, at University College London in 1957.
News
President Tinubu Sacks UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Registrar
The governing council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University has been dissolved by President Bola Tinubu.
The president dissolved the council and approved the removal of the institution’s vice-chancellor Bernard Odoh and the university registrar, Rosemary Nwokike.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy said the action by Tinubu follows allegations of procedural violations in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.
He also said that the council led by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe and including five other members—Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin was accused of bypassing due process to appoint an unqualified candidate, prompting federal intervention.
Onanuga said, “The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.
He added that following the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address the rivalry between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the institution.
“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process”, Onanuga added.
News
Boost for Nigeria’s Oil Production, As NNPC’s Utapate Crude Grade Hits Global Oil Market
In a major boost for Nigeria’s crude oil production, revenue generation and
economic growth efforts, the NNPC Ltd has officially unveiled its latest crude oil
grade, the Utapate crude oil blend, before the international crude oil market.
It would be recalled that in July, 2024, NNPC Ltd and its partner, the Sterling Oil
Exploration & Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) Ltd introduced the Utapate
crude oil blend, following the lifting of first cargo of 950,000 barrels which headed
for Spain.
During a ceremony held at the Argus European Crude Conference taking place in
London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday, the Managing Director, NNPC E & P
Limited (NEPL), Mr. Nicholas Foucart described the introduction of the Utapate
crude oil blend into the market as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s crude oil
export to the global energy market.
“Since we started producing the Utapate Field in May 2024, we have rapidly
ramped up production to 40,000 barrels per day (bpd) with minimum downtime.
So far, we have exported five cargoes, largely to Spain and the East Coast of the
United States; while two more additional cargoes have been secured for November
and December 2024, representing a significant boost to Nigeria’s crude oil export
to the global market,” Foucart told a packed audience of European crude oil
marketers.
He added that since its introduction into the global market, the Utapate crude oil
blend has enjoyed a positive response from the international crude oil market, due
to its highly attractive qualities.
Foucart said the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13, fully operated by NEPL and Natural
Oilfield Services Ltd (NOSL), a subsidiary of SEEPCO Ltd, boasts a huge reserves of
330million barrels of crude oil reserves, 45 million barrels of condensate and 3.5 tcf
of gas.
“We have a number of ongoing projects to increase our production from the
current 40,000bopd to 50,000bopd by January 2025 and 60,000bopd to
65,000bopd by June 2025. Essentially, we are targeting opportunities to increase
production to 80,000bopd by the end of 2025,” Foucart added.He said the Utapate crude oil terminal is sustainable, affordable and fully compliant
with the rigorous environmental regulations and sustainability principles especially
those aimed at reducing carbon emissions and other ecological effects.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NNPC Trading Ltd (NTL), Mr. Lawal Sade
said the pricing structure of the Utapate crude oil blend is similar to that of
Amenam crude as it is a light sweet crude which is highly sought after by refiners
across the world due to its low sulphur content, efficient yield of high-value
products, API gravity and other similarities.
He said in bringing the new crude oil blend to the global market, NNPC Ltd wanted
to optimise value for both its producers and counterparties across the globe.
He added to ensure predictability and sustainability of supply, the NNPC Trading
intends to run a term contract on the Utapate crude oil blend cargoes, principally
targeting off-takers from the European and the US East Coast refineries.
Produced from the Utapate field in OML 13 in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, the
Utapate crude oil blend is similar to the Nembe crude oil grade. It has a low sulphur
content of 0.0655% and low carbon footprint due to flare gas elimination, fitting
perfectly into the required specification of major buyers in Europe.
The NNPC E&P Ltd and NOSL partnership is also committed to operating in a
manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and beneficial to the local
communities.
The Utapate field development plan, executed between 2013-2019 and approved in
October, included converting wells and facilities from swamp/marine to land-
based operations.
The plan involved a multi-rig drilling campaign for 40 wells and the development
of significant infrastructure such as production facilities, storage tank, a subsea
pipeline and an offshore loading platform to facilitate crude oil evacuation and
loading.
The entry of the Utapate crude oil blend into the market is coming barely a year
after the NNPC Ltd announced the launch of Nembe crude oil, produced by the
NNPC/Aiteo operated Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 Joint Venture (JV).
In a statement by Olufemi O Soneye Chief corporate communications officer NNPCL said the remarkable achievement signals the commitment of the NNPC Ltd to
increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production and growing its reserves through the
development of new assets.
Kano APC Youth Coalition, Nasir Ja’o’ji and Party Survival
Breaking: Former Secretary of Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, Ahmadu Kurfi Passes On at 93
President Tinubu Sacks UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Registrar
Boost for Nigeria’s Oil Production, As NNPC’s Utapate Crude Grade Hits Global Oil Market
Nasir Buba Expresses Dissatisfaction with AIG Zone One’s Conclusion Despite Submitting Over 1000 Pieces of Evidence
Exclusive: How Kano Govt. Withdraws Accreditation of 14 Journalists Covering Government House
Northern Power Outage: Kano Manufacturers Lose Over 100 Billion Naira, May Lay Off Workers
Government Declares Public Holiday
Kano Assembly Describes Power Outage to North as Economic Sabotage
Civil Society Situation Room Applauds KANSIEC for Peaceful Conduct of Elections
Kano APC Youth Coalition, Nasir Ja’o’ji and Party Survival
Breaking: Former Secretary of Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, Ahmadu Kurfi Passes On at 93
President Tinubu Sacks UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Registrar
Boost for Nigeria’s Oil Production, As NNPC’s Utapate Crude Grade Hits Global Oil Market
Nasir Buba Expresses Dissatisfaction with AIG Zone One’s Conclusion Despite Submitting Over 1000 Pieces of Evidence
Exclusive: How Kano Govt. Withdraws Accreditation of 14 Journalists Covering Government House
Northern Power Outage: Kano Manufacturers Lose Over 100 Billion Naira, May Lay Off Workers
Government Declares Public Holiday
Kano Assembly Describes Power Outage to North as Economic Sabotage
Civil Society Situation Room Applauds KANSIEC for Peaceful Conduct of Elections
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