Former Governor of Cross River State and 2027 Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has stated that petrol in Nigeria can sell between ₦200 and ₦300 per litre without government subsidies if fuel prices are pegged to local production costs rather than international market rates.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Duke explained that true subsidy occurs when a product is bought at a high price and sold to consumers below cost. He argued that since crude oil is Nigeria’s collective resource, domestic fuel pricing should reflect what it costs to extract, refine, and distribute the oil locally.

Key Highlights of Donald Duke’s Strategy:

• Production Cost vs. Market Price: Duke noted that while crude oil sells internationally for $70 to $80 per barrel, Nigeria’s local production cost does not exceed $40 per barrel. Out of the ~1.7 million barrels produced daily, Nigeria requires only about 300,000 barrels for local consumption.

• Byproduct Amortization: A single barrel yields seven refined products. Duke proposed that five of those byproducts (such as aviation fuel and kerosene) be sold at commercial international rates, using those revenues to offset the refining costs of petrol and diesel.

• Domestic Pricing Formula: He advocated supplying petrol and diesel to Nigerians at actual production cost plus a modest 5% to 10% margin to cover distribution.

Under this model, Duke asserted, the federal government could completely eliminate subsidy payments while dramatically reducing pump prices for citizens.

Dr. Echuseh Audu, Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), is facing renewed scrutiny following financial disclosures linking her and a related business, Katuka’s Kitchen, to transfers totaling ₦49.44 million.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The developments follow earlier, unproven social media allegations that SEMA diverted over 10,000 bags of rice and 1,000 cartons of groundnut oil intended for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Dr. Audu has strongly denied the diversion claims and voluntarily presented herself to security agencies—including the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and the Ministry of Justice—demanding a full investigation.

Key Financial Inflows & Controversial LPRES Transfer

Financial records obtained by SaharaReporters detail multiple transfers across accounts associated with Audu and Katuka’s Kitchen:

• World Bank Project Transfer: On October 28, 2025, the Taraba State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) Draw Down Account transferred ₦12,190,726.80 to Katuka’s Kitchen. The same amount was later returned to the LPRES account. Insiders questioned the propriety of a government project conducting business with a public official’s associated entity, though records do not specify if the transaction was a contract payment, reimbursement, or error.

• Inflows Breakdown (Totaling ₦49.44 Million):

  • ₦15M: Transferred from an account under Audu Echuseh Echuseh at UBA (May 10, 2024).

  • ₦7M: Transferred from Katuka’s Kitchen’s Fidelity Bank account (August 16, 2024).

  • ₦5.25M: Received from Sunday Stephen via Globus Bank (January 30, 2026).

  • ₦5M: Received from Callistus Obiejezie (February 25, 2026).

  • ₦5M: Transferred from a UBA account under Audu Echuseh (Date unspecified).

₦44 Million Hospital Payments

The records also highlight three transactions totaling ₦44 million paid to GTBank accounts belonging to Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja (₦15M on Feb 20, 2026; ₦14M on Feb 26, 2026; and an undated ₦15M payment). Sources close to Audu clarified that these funds were utilized to cover medical expenses for a young girl who subsequently passed away.

Questions Over Business Ownership & Corporate Filings

While sources close to the SEMA Chief claim she formally resigned her role with Katuka’s Kitchen at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), reports indicate her Bank Verification Number (BVN) remains tied to the business’s active accounts across Access Bank, Globus Bank, and Fidelity Bank.

SEMA Maintains Stance on Integrity

TSEMA reiterated its commitment to transparency, noting that over 50,000 emergency victims have benefited from state relief distribution. Dr. Audu had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.

The Nigerian Army has graduated 87 combat-ready soldiers from the 90 Regular Intake to reinforce ongoing security operations across various operational theatres under Operation FANSAN YAMMA.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The troops completed an intensive eight-week course, designated Exercise Shining Star X/26, at the 1 Division Training School in Dalet Barracks, Kawo, Kaduna State.

Speaking on behalf of Major General Abubakar Sadique Muhammad Wase (General Officer Commanding, 1 Division and Commander, Sector 1, Operation FANSAN YAMMA), the Chief of Staff, Brigadier General TM Opurum, highlighted that the exercise was approved by Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to enhance troop readiness, tactical resilience, and overall operational efficiency.

Key Highlights of the Training Program:

• Tactical & Technical Drills: The soldiers underwent comprehensive instruction in weapon handling, live-fire exercises, field operations, land navigation, watermanship, tactical motorcycle operations, and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) counter-measures.

• Combat Resilience: Trainees were subjected to battle inoculation and stress simulations—including combat fatigue and sleep deprivation—to test physical endurance and mental alertness under high-pressure scenarios.

• Specialized Capabilities: Acting Assistant Director of Army Physical Training, Lieutenant Colonel Pharouk Mohammed, confirmed that all 87 personnel met rigorous standards in counter-terrorism tactics and character.

Brigadier General Opurum urged the graduating personnel to strictly adhere to the Nigerian Army’s code of conduct and rules of engagement as they deploy to active security duty.

Responding on behalf of the graduates, Course Leader Private Kapnim Bitrus expressed gratitude to the instructors for their mentorship. The ceremony concluded with tactical demonstrations, a rifle stripping competition, and the presentation of completion certificates.