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6 Years After, Fuel Ban Still Strangles Ogun Border Communities.
It has been six years and two months since the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari imposed a ban on the supply of petroleum products to filling stations located within 20 kilometres of Nigeria’s land borders.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Introduced in November 2019, the policy was aimed at curbing the smuggling of subsidised fuel to neighbouring countries and cutting off supply routes allegedly exploited by terrorists and bandits operating around border areas.
Findings show that the restriction has significantly affected communities across 15 states, forcing residents to travel long distances or rely on black marketers who sell fuel at inflated prices.
Ogun Border Communities Hit Hard
In Ogun, the ban has continued to strain economic activities in border local government areas such as Ipokia, Imeko Afon, Yewa North (formerly Egbado North) and Yewa South (formerly Egbado South).
Although the Federal Government partially relaxed the restriction in March 2020 by granting waivers to 66 filling stations in border communities, residents say the relief has been limited. The waiver, coordinated by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser, was meant to ease hardship after residents were compelled to travel far distances to purchase fuel.
Despite this measure, communities in Ogun State report continued suffering, especially during the 2024 fuel crisis, when black market prices reportedly soared as high as ₦2,000 per litre in some areas. Transportation fares also surged dramatically, with residents recounting paying as much as ₦3,000 for trips that previously cost under ₦800.
While petrol currently sells between ₦800 and ₦900 per litre at authorised stations in some communities, black market prices still hover around ₦1,200 per litre whenever supply shortages occur. Some areas, including Gbayi, reportedly remain without functional filling stations.
In May 2025, the Federal Government approved additional waivers for five petrol stations in Ogun border communities, following advocacy efforts by the lawmaker representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka. Residents described the move as a welcome relief but insisted it does not fully address the broader challenges.
Residents Decry Limited Access
Some locals argue that the limited number of operating stations has led to monopolistic practices, with allegations that certain outlets arbitrarily suspend sales. Reports indicate that residents sometimes sleep overnight at fuel stations to secure supply the next day.
In communities without active stations, such as Ijofin in Ipokia Local Government Area, residents reportedly spend up to ₦5,000 on transport just to purchase petrol elsewhere. Commercial transport fares have also risen sharply, increasing the cost of living.
Calls For Complete Lifting Of Ban
Traditional rulers and community leaders have joined calls for a total review of the restriction. The Eselu of Eselu Kingdom in Yewa North, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the policy, questioning why the ban remains in place despite the removal of fuel subsidy.
Human rights advocates have also weighed in. The National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Yinka Folarin, described the continued restriction as discriminatory and argued that it undermines residents’ socio-economic rights, particularly in areas with limited electricity supply where generators remain essential.
While the ban was introduced to combat smuggling, enforcement efforts continue. The NCS reported seizing over 190,000 litres of petrol in Ogun border communities within the past year, with multiple interceptions under “Operation Whirlwind.”
However, residents insist that strengthening border security would be more effective than restricting fuel access, arguing that the prolonged policy has led to business closures, job losses and worsening socio-economic conditions in affected communities.
An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.
Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.
Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.
According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.
He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.
“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.
The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.
Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.
He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.
Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.
The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.
Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.
He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.
Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.
Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.
In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.
The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.
However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.
Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.
When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.
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