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Fuel Hike Dampens Eid Spirit in Mararaba

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3 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In the bustling heart of Mararaba, a satellite town known for its relentless energy, the usual pre-festival buzz is unusually subdued. With just days to go until Eid-el-Fitr, the air is thick not only with dust from the busy streets but also with a palpable sense of anxiety. The holy month of Ramadan, already a period of sacrifice for many Muslims struggling with the country’s economic hardship, has been made even more challenging by a recent and significant hike in fuel prices. The celebration that marks the end of fasting—a time for joy, new clothes, and communal feasting—now looms as a day of difficult choices for many residents.

On a street lined with small shops and busy pedestrians, our correspondent spoke to five Muslim residents to understand how they plan to navigate this celebration amidst mounting hardship.

For Aliyu Mohammed, a taxi driver, the fuel hike has directly slashed his earnings, forcing him to redraw his Eid budget entirely.
“Before now, it was tough, but we were managing,” Mohammed said, leaning against the bonnet of his taxi. “But this fuel price increase has finished our little remaining strength. I spend almost everything I make on fuel, leaving nothing for my family. For Eid, I had hoped to buy new clothes for my three children, but now I will be lucky if we can afford a good meal of rice and chicken. The celebration will be just in prayers. The joy is gone from it.”

A few meters away, Aisha Garba, a mother of four and food vendor, expressed her worries about the rising cost of food items. Her small business, which usually thrives in the week leading up to Eid, is struggling.
“People are not buying food like they used to,” she explained, stirring a large pot of stew. “The money they have is for transport to their villages or for small essentials. For my own family, Eid will be very simple. I planned to prepare traditional dishes like Masa and Taushe, but the price of rice, oil, and even sugar has gone up since the fuel hike. Everything is transported by road, so prices must rise. We will cook what we can afford and be grateful to Allah for seeing us through Ramadan. There will be no new furniture or special treats for the children.”

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For young men like Ibrahim Sani, the prospect of Eid is a painful reminder of his circumstances. He spends his days helping out at a friend’s phone-charging kiosk.
“Eid is supposed to be a reward after a month of patience,” Sani said, his voice low. “But what reward is there when you can’t even afford henna for your hands or a new pair of slippers? I cannot travel to see my family in Kano because transport fares have doubled. I will attend the Eid prayer at the central mosque and then probably spend the rest of the day here in Mararaba. The feeling is one of deep sadness. We are being squeezed from all sides.”

The hike has also affected community dynamics. Malam Yusuf Idris, a tailor, has seen a sharp decline in customers bringing fabric for Eid outfits. His shop, once a hub of activity, is quiet.
“This is usually my busiest time of the year,” Idris said, his measuring tape hanging idly around his neck. “But this year, people come, they ask for the price, and they leave. They can no longer afford to sew new clothes. I have also had to increase my prices because thread and other materials cost more now due to transport. It is a cycle. I fear many children in this neighborhood will go to the prayer ground in old clothes on Eid day. We will still celebrate, but the spirit is broken by this hardship.”

Yet, amidst the despair, there is a resilient focus on the spiritual core of the festival. Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi, a grandmother and respected elder in the community, embodies this quiet fortitude.
“The essence of Eid is not in new clothes or lavish food,” she said, sitting on a mat in front of her home. “Yes, the hardship is great. The fuel price has made everything more difficult for my children and neighbors. But we are Muslims. We have spent the last 30 days learning patience and gratitude. We will give our Zakat-ul-Fitr (obligatory charity) so that even the poorest can join in the celebration. On that day, we will put on our best clean clothes, even if they are old. We will go to the mosque to thank Allah for giving us the strength to fast. The celebration is in our hearts and in our prayers. We will not let hardship steal our faith.”

As the sun sets over Mararaba, the stories from the street paint a clear picture. The Eid-el-Fitr celebration this year will go ahead, but it will be a more somber, introspective affair. The double blow of persistent hardship and a fresh fuel hike has forced families to strip the festival down to its bare essentials: prayer, charity, and quiet gratitude for survival—leaving the traditional trappings of joy as an unaffordable luxury for many.

 

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NISO Announces Power Outage in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina for Grid Maintenance

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1 day ago

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June 27, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has announced a planned power interruption affecting Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states this Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In a statement posted via its X handle, NISO explained that the temporary outage is necessary to facilitate essential maintenance at the 330kV Kumbotso Substation, to be carried out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

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Describing the upgrade as a critical investment, the system operator noted that the exercise would strengthen the national grid, enhance transmission capacity, and improve the overall resilience of Nigeria’s power system—ultimately leading to better electricity supply for customers in the affected region.

NISO expressed regret over the inconvenience and appealed for patience, understanding, and cooperation from members of the public during the maintenance period.

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DSS Releases Detained Farmer, Awards N3 Million Compensation After Review Clears Him of Terror Links

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1 day ago

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June 27, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release and compensation of a man who had been wrongfully detained on suspicion of ties to Boko Haram.

Nura Idris, a farmer and livestock rearer from Soba Local Government Area in Kaduna State, was released following a comprehensive review by a DSS investigation panel that found no evidence to support the allegations against him.

In addition to ordering his release, the DSS Director-General approved a compensation package of N3 million to assist Idris with his immediate needs and pledged further support to help him rebuild his business.

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According to a security source, Idris was initially arrested in June 2024 in Suleja, Niger State, by a sister security agency over alleged links to terrorists. He was subsequently transferred to DSS custody, where the case underwent a full review.

Receiving the compensation, Idris expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership. “I thank the DGSS for his kindness. I was well treated in DSS custody and I pray that Allah rewards the DGSS immensely,” he was quoted as saying.

His father, Yusuf Idris, who received him upon his release, also thanked the DSS Director-General for his compassion and generosity, assuring that the compensation would be put to good use.

Another security source disclosed that in similar cases, the DSS routinely provides psychological and medical support to released detainees and assists them in establishing businesses to facilitate their reintegration into society.

The release of Idris is part of a broader internal review exercise initiated by the Service last year. The initiative aims to reassess inherited and prolonged detention cases to ensure that individuals held without sufficient evidence are not left in custody.

“The Service under the current DG has continued to show that safeguarding national security must go hand in hand with upholding the rights and dignity of citizens,” the source said.

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Army Approves Strategic Redeployment, Names New GOCs for 3 and 6 Divisions

Published

2 days ago

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June 27, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior officers, with changes affecting key operational, command, training and staff appointments.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the reshuffle is part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness across the country.

The statement added that the postings affected field commanders, school commandants and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.

It noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the strategic redeployment of senior officers, saying the move was aimed at enhancing the Army’s capacity to address emerging security challenges.

Under the new appointments, Major General WM Dangana has been named the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.

Similarly, Major General EI Okoro has been appointed GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.

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The statement also announced the appointment of Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola will serve as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.

As part of efforts to strengthen operational leadership and combat readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari was appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu was named Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

In a move reflecting the Army’s growing emphasis on technology and emerging security threats, Major General SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.

The statement noted that the appointment “reinforces the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations.”

Major General O Adegbe was also appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.

In the area of military education and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu was appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo became Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.

Other appointments include Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport and Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC).

Brigadier General U Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

The reshuffle further saw Major General KO Ukandu appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison was named Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

The statement added, “The COAS charged the newly appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security across the nation.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its transformation drive and commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing contemporary and future security challenges in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.”

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