The Nation Newspaper

Category: Special Report

  • Fury as terrorists resume attacks in Northeast

    Despite claims by the military authorities of curtailing Boko Haram insurgents’ activities and their Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), reports continue to indicate that it’s not yet Uhuru for both the military and the defenseless citizens, reports OKODILI NDIDI.

     

    AFTER a lull, when everyone thought it was over, Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) bounced back with deadly attacks on border communities, killing and maiming villagers in large numbers.

    The terror groups were believed to be phasing out, battered, bruised and decimated both in manpower and equipment. And with sustained onslaught by the military, the insurgents had suffered great casualties with most of their top commanders smoked out of their strongholds and forced to surrender to troops. Their bloody campaigns, it was thought, have been reduced to nothing more than uncoordinated feeble attacks at soft targets with the Defence Headquarters at a point declaring that the terror groups have been pushed into the Tumbus Island and were no longer operating on Nigerian soil.

    But suddenly, the terrorists struck again, killing, maiming and burning down communities. In the last few weeks, no fewer than 120 people have been killed with over 3,000 people displaced.

    For instance, Gamboru, a border community in Borno State, came under bloody attack when the insurgents blew up a bridge with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), resulting in the death of no fewer than 30 people. The bridge, situated in a market, was attacked around 5:00 p.m. at the peak of activities in the market. Eyewitnesses said more than 35 people injured were taken to the local hospital.

    In another daring move, the insurgents ambushed the theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, in what could have been a major setback on the counter-insurgency war. The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said the attack took place about two kilometers to Auno in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, adding that the Commander was returning from Jakana where he visited troops’ location. He was to have met Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State earlier at Auno before the ambush.

    Iliyasu, nevertheless, described the ambush as “a clear display of misguided desperation to stage a reprisal, following the recent neutralisation of several of their top commanders by troops”.

    The troops, however, overpowered the ambush and neutralised the bandits. Two soldiers were reportedly wounded in the attack. Items recovered from the insurgents included 20 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 2 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one pair of camouflage trousers, one Nigeria Police Force fragmental jacket, 2 AK 47 rifle and 3 AK 47 rifle magazines. There were also reports of attempts by the terrorists to capture Madagali Town in Adamawa State before they were repelled by troops, although the Army debunked the report as unfounded.

    Across the states, especially in the Northeast, there have been pockets of attacks by gunmen, fueling suspicion that the sect may have infiltrated the villages again. How the bandits, who were said to have been vanquished, were able to stage a comeback has remained a source of concern, especially after the heavy land and aerial bombardments of their hideouts by the military.

    Could it be that the groups were not decimated or weakened as claimed, but were only bidding for time to deceive security operatives and villagers to lower their guards before they strike?

    A closer look at the modus operandi of the sect now showed a pattern of attacking their targets simultaneously, especially along the border communities to overwhelm counter-measures by troops.

    A similar ambush on troops of the 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment, Birnin Gwari at Ungwan Yako, along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State, left an officer, Aircraftman Mukhtar Ibrahim dead, while several others were seriously injured. The heavily armed bandits, said to be over 70, had engaged the troops in a gun duel before they were overpowered by superior firepower from the officers.

    The military has consistently claimed to have responded to the new threat with decisive force that has resulted in heavy loss on the side of the insurgents, both in men and equipment. The military authorities have also laid claim to having clearing operations that have led to busting the dens of the terrorists, neutralising them in large numbers and freeing their captives.

    The Air component of the Operation Lafiya Dole said its troops have intensified air bombardment of ISWAP facilities in the forests along the fringes of Lake Chad.

    Chief of Army Staff Lieut.-Gen. Tukur Buratai reassured Nigerians that the counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast and other ongoing operations against “our common enemies” across the country are still on course with current indicators revealing tremendous successes across the various theaters of operation.

    Iliyasu, in a recent statement, said: “After a careful review of the Nigerian Army operations in the Northeast, it is pertinent to state that, Headquarters Nigerian Army has gladly observed the renewed zeal and determination by troops to take the counter-insurgency operations to its logical conclusion with outcomes favourable to Nigeria and Nigerians as evident in the recent decimation of many Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminals, including some of their top commanders.”

    Despite claims by the military authorities, Nigerians living or doing business around many towns and villages in the Northeast have continued to come under incessant attacks by the terrorists and other criminal elements, who operate for hours unchallenged in many instances.

    The resurgence of Boko Haram members has been described by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS)  as “the kicks of a dying horse gasping for the last breath.”

    Lt.-Gen. Buratai cautioned local and foreign organisations against backing insurgents.

    Besides, the military boss warned foreign countries and agencies against meddling into issues pertaining to national security, especially the fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).

    Lt.-Gen. Buratai’s warning came a day after the European parliament, a legislative branch of the European Union (EU), said there has not been progress in the anti-insurgency fight.

    The parliament in its January 16, 2020 resolution said the security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated significantly.

    But, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, the Army Operations Media Coordinator, said the COAS has asked those bodies to make utterances that would help restore peace.

    A statement signed by Col. Iliyasu said: “The Chief Of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai has reassured Nigerians that the counter insurgency operations in the Northeast and indeed, other ongoing operations against our common enemies across the country, are still on course with current indicators revealing tremendous successes across the various theatres of operation.

    “After a careful review of the Nigerian Army operations in the Northeast, it is pertinent to state that, Headquarters, Nigerian Army, has gladly observed the renewed zeal and determination by troops to take the counter-insurgency operations to its logical conclusion with outcomes favourable to Nigeria and Nigerians as evident in the recent decimation of many Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminals, including some of their top commanders, amidst  several arrests of the insurgents’ logistic suppliers and collaborators, numerous capture of the criminals’ arms and ammunition as well as rescue of many captives from the bondage of the insurgents.

    “To this end, all local and foreign interests are advised to exhibit more commitment and restraint on issues of our national security and avoid taking sides. Furthermore, all actions and utterances must be tailored towards supporting the national cause with a view to restoring peace and tranquility to our beloved country.”

    Gen. Buratai said troops  sacrifices  would never be in vain.

    He warned those who “take delight in the suffering of innocent citizens that the day of reckoning is at their door steps.”

    Buratai added: “All well-meaning Nigerians, especially those in the Northeast and friends of Nigeria elsewhere are enjoined to fully support the counter-insurgency operations as well as the fight against all forms of criminality across the nation.”

     

  • Return of Plateau’s ugly days

    With 33 people dead in four attacks by unknown gunmen, Plateau State appears to be returning to the ugly era of grief, reports YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU.

    With four attacks by gunmen in two Local Government Areas of Plateau State within three weeks resulting in more than 30 deaths, the question on everyone’s lips is whether Plateau State is back to the era of mass burial.

    Of course, with 12 people killed in the first attack in Kulben village, Mangu Local Government Area; 15 in Kwatas, Bokkos Local Government Area; four killed in Mangu and three in Bokkos, there are fears that the state may be back to the dark days.

    The sustained attacks have resulted in four mass graves; a situation that understandably leaves Governor Simon Bako Lalong with more worries than anyone else.

    Lamenting the situation, Lalong said: “I can’t take this anymore. How can 15 people be killed and the killers are not arrested? Are the killers spirits? They must be chased after and brought to face justice.”

    The victims of the renewed attacks might have celebrated their high hopes as 2020 beckoned, but the messengers of death stormed their villages, met the hapless residents, took advantage of their weaknesses and unleashed terror on them.

    It was like a scene from a horror movie acted to the letter. Some of the victims were just relaxing at a local liquor joint when the attackers took them unaware. Some were on their beds resting after the toil of the day.

    The motive of the attackers has left many confused. It was not the usual reprisal attacks that follow disputes caused by cattle rustling. In fact, the days of cattle rustling are far forgotten in the state.

    Illiya Sunday, an indigene of Kuboi, a village in Bokkos Local Government Area where one of the attacks occurred, said: “We were taken by surprise. There was no basis for this kind of attack. I’m suspecting there is a plot somewhere by to destabilise the state completely for reasons best known to them.”

    As observed by Illiya, communities in Plateau State have been living in peace in recent times following the sustained peace programmes of the Simon Lalong administration, which are being implemented through the Plateau State peace building agency, initiated by the present administration.

    The Fulani residents in the state have also been living in harmony with members of their host communities. Many, however, believe that the attacks are being organised from outside the state.

    The Senator representing Plateau North, Senator Istifanus Gyang, said: “Citizens of Plateau State who are predominantly Christians are still targeted for persecution. Our boys who are schooling in the North East are being trailed, abducted and killed, and those at home are being visited with organised attacks.”

    The attacks started with the killing of 13 people on Sunday night in Kwatas village. The attack led to violent protests on Monday morning, at about the same time that one of the seven injured persons died in hospital.

    Some neighbouring settlements belonging to herdsmen were razed during the protests, causing an escalation of the initial violence. An aged man trapped in his burning house in nearby Ruboi village burnt to ashes. His son was gunned down, while chasing after the attackers in obvious anger.

    Several houses, including that of former Plateau State House of Assembly Speaker, Titus Alams, were razed in the village. Many  houses were also burnt down in nearby Mariah Village. Worship centers and residents of clergy men were not spared.

    The agonies from the series of attacks and killings knew no bounds. Families, spouses and children of the victims were left in psychological trauma. On the other hand, those who escaped death but lost their loved ones are languishing in camps.

    The Nation found that more than 5,000 people displaced as a result of the attacks are in need of relief materials to survive. Children and the aged exposed to the prevailing cold weather in the state are highly vulnerable to pneumonia and other ailments associated with cold.

    Some of them are taking refuge in markets, schools and churches.

    One of them, Mary Job, who became a widow after the attack and also had their home razed, said: “The attackers killed my husband and burnt our house and left me and my children to die in the cold. The agony I’m passing through is unbearable. They better had killed me.”

    At Luna Hospital, a privately owned clinic in Bokkos where sympathisers assembled to receive the bodies of their loved ones, it was a gloomy situation. Men and women were wailing and gnashing their teeth in agony. It was impossible to hold back tears.

    A 27-year-old young man, Joshua Daman, said sobbing: “I lost two very close friends and two younger brothers. I’m planning to leave this village after the burial. I can’t live without the people I lost. I will die of agony if I remain in this village. The pains are unbearable.”

  • ‘N97 per litre fuel achieveable’

     Emeka Ugwuanyi

     

    HOW will the government achieve Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva’s plan of an alternative auto fuel to premium motor spirit (PMS) or petrol?

    According to him, the alternative fuel to PMS is Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which will sell at between N95 to N97 per litre as against the current price of PMS at N145 per litre despite being heavily subsidised by the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    CNG is made by compressing natural gas, which is mainly composed of methane (CH4), to less than one per cent of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of 20–25 megapascal (MPa) or 2,900–3,600 pounds per square inch (psi).

    According to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigeria is among the top countries in the world with huge natural gas reserves. As at January, last year, Nigeria’s proven natural gas reserves was 200.79 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) and 600 Tcf potential reserves.

    Also, research has proven that natural gas as fuel is cheaper and cleaner than PMS. It was as a result of the research that led to the issuance of a licence to three companies to operate CNG filling stations at designated areas during the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo. The companies are Global Steel Holdings with operational areas as Abuja and Lagos; Contec Global Limited for Lagos and NIPCO Plc for Benin-City.

    Eventually, it was NIPCO Plc that was able to take off and survive till date. When other companies couldn’t survive, NIPCO secured a universal licence, which empowered it to operate nation-wide.

    NIPCO Plc has set up of infrastructure and established seven CNG stations in three states – three in Benin-City, Edo State; one in Okolovu, Warri and Kwale respectively in Delta State; and Ibafo in Ogun State.

    According to the Managing Director, NIPCO Plc, Sanjay Teotia, CNG is cheaper than PMS as auto fuel. Buttressing his assertion, he said: “Assuming the engine size of the vehicle is 2.0L, practically while one litre of PMS will cover 8km; one standard cubic meter (SCM) of CNG will cover 12km.

    He said one SCM of CNG is equal to 1.23 litres of petrol and while one litre of petrol costs N145, one SCM of CNG costs N95. Therefore, in price equivalence, N20, 000 of petrol is approximately N16, 260 SCM of CNG.

    “There is also an efficiency advantage of CNG over PMS, depending on the distance covered per day. In nutshell, if the PMS of N20, 000 last four days, the equivalent quantity of CNG will last for seven days.

    “I will also laud the Federal Government and the minister for setting the National Gas Expansion Programme Committee, which will reposition the harnessing of our gas resources for auto use and others.”

    Read Also: Final passage of PIB expected by mid 2020, says Sylva

    He said the types of CNG vehicles include Bi-Fuel Vehicles, which have two separate fueling systems that enable them to run on either natural gas or PMS, Dedicated Vehicles, which are designed to run only on natural gas (CNG) and Dual-Fuel Vehicles, which have fuel systems that run on a blend of natural gas and diesel fuel.

    He also noted that CNG converted vehicles use internal combustion engines similar to those that run on PMS or diesel, adding that there are seven basic components to convert a gasoline or diesel engine to one that also runs on compressed natural gas. The components are CNG storage tank, Fill receptacle, Fuel filters, Pressure regulator, CNG fuel feed system, Dash-mounted fuel selector, switch and gauge, and Electronic control module.

    “A CNG fuel system introduces high-pressure natural gas from the storage tank to the engine while reducing the pressure of the gas to the operating pressure of the engine’s fuel management system,” he added.

    According to him, worldwide, there were 14.8 million natural gas vehicles by 2011, led by Iran with 2.86 million, Pakistan (2.85 million), Argentina (2.07 million), Brazil (1.7 million) and India (1.1 million).[6] with the Asia-Pacific region leading with 5.7 million NGVs, followed by Latin America with almost four million vehicles.

    Several manufacturers (Fiat, Opel/General Motors, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda and others) sell bi-fuel cars.

    In 2006, Fiat introduced the Siena Tetrafuel in the Brazilian market, equipped with a 1.4L Fire engine that runs on E100, E25 (Standard Brazilian Gasoline), Ethanol and CNG.

  • ‘How PIB will aid investments, N97 per litre fuel’

    Passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law is necessary to attract investors for the production of the alternative fuel of N97 per litre. JOHN OFIKHENUA reports that unless Nigeria enacts the law, investments, job opportunities and peace will keep eluding the industry

     

     

    FOR years, the near-success syndrome has always characterised the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    However, the worst mirage of the great expectation was that of the 8th Senate when one of its components- the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) scaled through the National Assembly passage. But it failed to secure President Muhummadu Buhari’s assent till the end of his first tenure.

    Worst still, the other parts of the bill could not fare that far. The three other components are the Petroleum Industry Administration Bill; Petroleum Industry Host Community Bill; and the Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill.

    In the 8th National Assembly, the high hope and efforts at enacting the laws still come to nought to the consternation of expectant stakeholders.

    Just as every action and inaction has implications, the pains and pangs of the non-passage of the bills are the harsh realities that the players in the industry contend with daily. However, some lucky beneficiaries earn a living from the spoils in the industry. They fight with anything at their disposal to thwart the efforts of the supporters of the bill. This category of people triumphed over other proponents of the PIGB.

    It comprises members of staff of different parastatals in the Ministry of Petroleum that is proposed for merger owing to overlapping roles with other agencies. Yet, another class is not comfortable with a new petroleum law because the restructuring would affect their questionable benefits. Indeed, pecuniary interests are the bane of the bill.

    Meanwhile, the game has frozen investments from the industry since the existing ones do not adequately define the interplays and trends in hydrocarbons business.

    Non-passage of the PIB has cast a shadow of uncertainty that scares investors from taking their Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) on some pending multi-billion dollar projects. Also, the situation has held fresh contracts in abeyance.

    In his bid to unlock the investments opportunities that the lingering Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has held down, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva is supporting the National Assembly for the passage of the legislature before May 29 this year.

    The absence of enabling laws will hinder Sylva from actualising his plans for the industry.

    The minister, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, said: “The petroleum industry has not moved very far in Nigeria for some time now. And I am the first to admit it because a few years ago, in my first incarnation in the Ministry of Petroleum, we were already producing as a country over two million barrels a day. And we had a projection to move our production to three million barrels a day and four million barrels a day by this time.

    “At that time, at the same time, the UAE, for example, as a country, was producing 2.7 million barrels a day or thereabout. Today, the UAE has moved on to produce up to four million barrels a day.

    “From 2.7 million barrels a day of that time, they have moved the industry to four million barrels a day in the UAE. We would have been very lucky if we were even stagnant in this country but instead of being stagnant we have even gone backwards. Today, we are producing, according to OPEC quota, 1.774 million barrels.”

    He said the passage of the bill would help with the plan to have the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The new law is expected to give the necessary assurance and incentive that the off-takers look out for.

    His words: “The second one will be to improve the relationship between this industry and the man on the street. A lot of Nigerians on the streets do not have any other relationship with the industry other than at the pump. You go to the filling stations, they buy PMS (petrol) or diesel or they go and get gas to cook. That is their relationship with petroleum.”

    Stressing how to cultivate and nurture a better interplay with the least person in the country, he vowed that “we want to improve that relationship with the common man by making jewels more accessible and more affordable. We will go into all this over time but at this moment let me just give you a few of the things that we intend to do this year so that you can have them as a basis for interaction for the rest of the year. Number one, we want to progress the consideration and passage of the overall petroleum legislation.”

    According to him, a pilot project in Benin City, Edo State has proved that the CNG is cheaper than petrol. Besides, being green energy, the gas is sold for about N95 to N97 per litre while petrol has a pump price band of N143 to N145 per litre. The experimentation of the gas has recorded a huge success in Benin-City, Edo State where it is used to fuel over 10, 000 transport vehicles.

    He observed that an expansion of the CNG Programme would create more jobs for the masses and relieve them of the anxiety emanating from petrol price increase news.

    On how the ministry is going to bring the masses close to petroleum, Sylva said: “We are thinking of reducing pump price of fuel. I could easily say yes and I am sure all of you will wonder why I am saying that. Why I should say yes is that we are thinking of giving the masses an alternative.

    “At present, we are all hooked on PMS. What we want to do going forward is to see that we can move the masses to CNG cars… Currently, everybody clamours, poor people, agitate when the Federal Government mulls the idea of an increase in price. And of course, we all agree that it has continued to be a drain on the finances of Nigeria because, when you spend so much to subsidise fuel and the process itself is being manipulated by all kinds of unscrupulous elements, there is a big drain on the finances of Nigeria.

    Sylva

    “But we also recognise that it is the only point of contact between the oil industry and the masses. So, what are we going to do? What we decided is that we should try to give the masses an alternative. If we move the masses to CNG, that is taking transport vehicles in the first instance for example, out of the PMS loop and take all those transport vehicles to be using CNG, then you will see that that is the point of contact with the poorest of our population.

    “We believe that if you even further take out a lot of people from the loop of PMS. Now CNG, unit for unit, costs less than even the subsidised PMS per litre. The subsidised rate of PMS is 145 naira per litre. CNG will cost about 95 to 97 naira per litre. That is why I said that we could say we want to even reduce the cost of fuel. That way, we believe that we have given an alternative and if Nigerians get used to the alternative, they will not even notice when the subsidy on PMS is removed.

    “That is the alternative we are working on and we will start very soon to roll out. Already there is a pilot programme in Benin-City and that pilot programme has worked for a long time and about 10, 000 vehicles are already on CNG in Benin-City.

    “So, we want to expand that CNG programme across the country and we believe that it is going to create a lot of opportunities for Nigerians and also give Nigerians a new lease of life because they will be accessing their jewels cheaper.”

    The ministry gas plan, which transcends the deepening of domestic utilisation and monetisation, is targeted at increasing the sector’s contribution to the nation and world Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The plan is based on the fact that natural gas can transform economies. He cited examples of Qatar that has the world’s highest GDP per capita, that its growth is anchored on natural gas.

    The minister added that Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as the world’s hub for petrochemicals, creating significant job opportunities and enabling industrialisation of the country. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s gas reserve is significant. It currently has an estimated 202 TCF with potential for up to 600 TCF in undiscovered resources.

    Sylva added that “with the undiscovered potential, Nigeria could be in the same league as Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Russia. Recognizing the potential of our enormous natural gas resources and the unprecedented growth in domestic gas demand, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, over the years, has championed various interventions to stimulate gas utilisation and monetisation.

    Part of the transactions that the Federal Government has suspended owing to the non-passage of the PIB is the commencement of the bid round for new acreages. The Federal Government must have the law in place before conducting a major bid round for oil blocks. Already the ministry is looking forward to conducting the bid round for marginal fields this year.

    Sylva said: “We are aiming at conducting bid rounds for marginal fields and opportunities within 2020 to ensure settlement of dispute partners and pave way for FID on major capital projects. New acreage management and bidding process are thoroughly elucidated in the upcoming PIB. It is therefore highly desirable that the bill is passed before any bid round.

    “This is one of the reasons we implore Nigerians to support us in our quest to pass the bill in earnest. We will aim at the marginal field round earlier but the major bid round will have to come after the passage of the bill from PIB.”

    He revealed that the team working on the PIB is at the final stage for the harmonisation of all the existing actions from 2, 000 to date, through 2009, 2012 and 2018. The team, he said, is bearing in mind the concerns raised by the industry players to create an enabling environment for investors.

    Sylva, who counted on the harmony between the executive and the legislative arms of government, submitted that “we are optimistic that both the Petroleum Industry Governance Administration and Host Communities Bill on the one hand and the Petroleum Industry Bill, on the other hand, will be passed within the first anniversary of this administration.”

  • Timber market rising as traders put losses at N20b

    Tajudeen Adebanjo

     

     

    TWENTY-FOUR hours after the multi-billion naira Amu Plank Market, located at the Amu area near Olorunsogo Bus Stop, Mushin, Lagos, was razed by a wildfire, traders have started rebuilding their stores.

    Those who left the place on Saturday evening could not believe their eyes with the level of rebuilding ongoing. The Nation on Sunday saw many artisans working on the site.

    The traders, it was learnt, decided to quickly rebuild the market due to fear that the government might take over the land from them. They said the government could not be trusted following the bitter experience of the traders at the Tejuoso and Ogba markets, who suffered a similar disaster.

    “It would be a double disaster for us for the government to take over the market and hand it over to developers. We all knew what happened at Tejuoso and Ogba Retail Markets. Tejuoso Market is yet to regain that vibrancy it had since it was rebuilt. This is because the money charged for the shops was extraordinarily unbearable. How many of those traders can afford that amount?” a trader, Taofik Alamu, asked.

    The fire has not totally burnt out as at press time. Some of the traders were seen joining fire-fighters to quench the smoulder. There were still some emergency responders within the vicinity, including police officers, who were preventing hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation.

    The road leading to Amu Plank Market from Palm Avenue was blocked. Motorists were informed to use alternative routes.

    The number of burnt houses has increased to 10 and residents were  seen picking the pieces of their burnt property.

    Loads of timbers were being dropped by cat-pushers and some hefty men on-site were also carrying them.

    Some of the market’s union leaders were moving from one place to the other, assuring traders that everybody would have their stores restored.

    The evacuation of debris from burnt planks and goods was still ongoing at the Kayinsola House and two other warehouses on Palm Avenue, Mushin.

    According to the union, the four-storey Kayinsola House had goods worth over N500 million. A member of the market union, Alhaji Tajudeen Sanni, put the worth of the goods lost to the inferno at N20 billion.

    Mmajority of their goods, he said, were imported from various countries.

    “Those who were saying that Amu Market is not that  big don’t know what we have in this place. This is a huge market. Majority of our goods was imported and they are original. Think of the amount of forex expended on regular basis. If I say what we lost to the inferno was over N20billion, it is not an exaggeration,” he said.

    He denied reports that there were no fire extinguishers in the market., adding that fire extinguishers were mounted in safe places by the officials of the Lagos State Fire Service.

    He said: “We complied with government regulations in this market. Immediately the fire started, we call on our people to start to bring out the fire extinguishers, but the fire was so wild that fire extinguishers could not be effective in putting it out.

    “As we were doing that, some of us were calling on the emergency responders, especially the fire service. Things have gone beyond salvaging by the time the firefighters arrived.”

    He admitted that the union took the responsibility to rebuild the market. This, he said, was to make the traders return to their business as soon as possible.

    A trader, who simply gave his name as Ibrahim, commended the union for acting promptly to rebuild the market.

    “This is where we make our living. For how long do we continue to lament over the losses. What has happened has happened; we need to move on with our lives,” Ibrahim said.

    The Amu Community Development Associations (CDA) Chairman, Apostle Timothy Ogungbesan, who lost his two-storey building to the fire, described the fire outbreak as disastrous.

    He said this was not the first time such a fire outbreak was happening in the vicinity.

    “We thought we will able to curtail it as we normally do before but this one got out of hand and claim all our property,” he said

    He said the fire outbreak started around midnight.

    He said: “I heard people shouting fire! fire!! fire!!! and I rushed out as the CDA Chairman and called the fire service but no response. I called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Olosan Police Station, who now called the fire service. Before the fire service got here, the fire had already gutted the whole area. As I am standing, this is all that I have. I lost everything in the building to the fire.”

    He added that he lost millions but grateful to God that no life was lost during the process.

    “During the cause of the inferno, I was unable to protect my belonging, I was just making sure everybody is safe,” he said.

    Toyin Kabiru amid tears recalled how the fire gutted her shop and that of his son and she pleaded for support from the state government.

    She said: “Some Muslims were having night prayer and they raised the alarm about strange odour and thought it was a small fire and rushed to get water to quench the fire.

    “As soon as they poured water on it, the fire exploded. Before we knew it, the whole Amu Market was on fire. We were not able to get anything out; all our goods were burnt to ashes. Many traders just restocked their stores. I just bought goods worth N180, 000 on Friday. I want the government to help us; we are helpless; my son’s shop and relatives’ shops were also affected.”

    LASEMA’s account

    Lagos Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Director-General Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu said the fire was extinguished on Sunday.

  • Culture bond across border

    Our Reporter

     

    Royal splendour, the rich Yoruba culture and Ghanaian hospitality were in full display in Accra last weekend as the Yoruba community in Ghana honoured some members of its race from Nigeria.

    Chieftaincy titles were conferred on 14 honorees by His Royal Majesty, Oba of Yoruba in Ghana, Alhaji Hamzat Peregrino Brimah V111.  Among them, is city businessman and former Nigerian lawmaker, Hon Moshood Mustapha, who bagged the title of Oluomo of Yoruba in Ghana.

    The ceremony which took place at the prestigious State House, Accra on Sunday, January 18, 2020 was attended by the Ghanaian Vice President represented by the Vice President, Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia and the Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Femi Michael Abikoye.

    Foremost Yoruba monarch, Oba Adeyeye  Ogunwusi Ojaja II,  the Ooni of Ife, led the royal train, which included the Olofa of offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamoshi Esueoye11; the Olusin of Isanlu Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede and the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao.

    Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, was at the head of a team that included current Federal Lawmaker from Kwara State, Hon. Abdulganiyu Olododo; Special Adviser to the governor on special duties, Alhaji Yinka Aluko; former Commissioner for Information, Kwara State, Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin; businessman Mallam Mohammed Sidi; media chief Mallam Nurudeen Abdulraheem and former Kwara State lawmaker, Hon. Adamu Sabi.

    Vice President Bawumia, who represented President Nana Akufo, acknowledged the contribution of Yoruba people to the socio-economic development of Ghana. He urged the Yoruba community to continue living in harmony with other tribes in the country.

    Oba Adeyeye enjoined the Yoruba race worldwide to foster unity among themselves and congratulated the honoree “on behalf of all Yoruba tribe on earth.”

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    Oba Adeyeye took the audience back to the 18th Century, where there was nothing like Ghana or Nigeria, but just the black race living together in harmony and love.

    He admonished the Yoruba race: “Yoruba as a tribe has had a long standing historical connection with Ghana as one of the black tribes on earth. We are all one from the same source. I urge everyone of you to continue seeing yourselves as brothers and sister here in Ghana and anywhere we found ourselves in the whole world

    “We appreciate the government and all Ghanaians for their love and peaceful co-existence with the Yoruba living on their land, which brought about this historical event in the life time of the Yoruba community in Ghana.”

    Oba Adeyeye also lauded the recipients, saying: “I rejoice with all the recipients, especially the popular Nigerian politician, Moshood Mustapha, who has been honoured as Oluomo of Yoruba in Ghana.

    He urged   the new chiefs “to continue the good behaviour and generosity that earned you these titles,” adding: “We are proud of you as Yorubas.”

    Giving historical background of the Yoruba in Ghana and reason for honouring some individuals His Royal Majesty, Oba Hamza Peregrino-Brimah VIII, said: “The present Yorubas are the 5th generation of Yorubas in Ghana, and it is right time to honour some carefully selected individuals who had contributed significantly to our community and the Republic of Ghana in general.”

  • When Alaafin, Igboho monarch displayed culture

    Our Reporter

     

    The age-long bond between the Ona Onibode of Igboholand, Oba AbdulRashid Adetoyese Anikulapo Jayeola 111 and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Damisi Adeyemi 111, was again relived recently as the Allaafin and the Ona Onibode, displayed uncommon love and affinity. Oba Anikulapo was celebrated his 10th anniversary on the throne.

    Oba Jayeola, while eulogising Alaafin for the role he played in making him the traditional ruler of Igboholand, he said it took the government of Oyo State one year and three months to approve the recommendation of the Council of Obas and Chiefs before he was crowned as the Ona Onibode of Igboholand. In less than two weeks, the  Oyo State government ratified the approval of Oba Jaiyeola as the Ona  Onibode of Igboholand, the Alaafin crowned him as the Ona Onibode of Igboholand.

    Ona Onibode of Igboho
    Ona Onibode of Igboho

    According to Oba Jayeola, those who are not interested in the tradition of their people should not aspire to be monarchs. “The traditional institution should be left for those who are ready to uphold the tradition. It is dangerous to abandon tradition,” Oba Jaiyeola said.

    Oba Jayeola, like Alaafin, impressed the audience with his repository of history. The usual practice was for Alaafin to summon a monarch to Oyo and be decorated with the traditional akoko leaves. Ona Onibode told the audience that of all the traditional rulers in Yorubaland, Ona Onibode was the first to be installed with akoko leaves in his kingdom (Igboho). “Ona Onibode was the first to be honoured with akoko leaves in this town (Igboho),” he told the audience.

    He insisted that the affinity between the Alaafin and Ona Onibode was immemorial, saying Ona Onibode holds a special place in Alaafin’s heart. “There is no traditional ruler like Alaafin; others are branches. Alaafin is the stem that holds the branches,” he said.

    He called on the Oyo State government to establish tertiary institutions in Igboholand, especially a campus of the Ladoke Akintola University.

    Also, being an agrarian community, he called for the establishment of a cassava processing plant in the town.

    Worried by the insecurity in Oke Ogun, he appealed for more security in the town with the additional police posts. “Where there is no security, there will be no peace,” he said.

    The event availed the community the opportunity to see the other side of Oba Jayeola. He rendered a song, which he composed for the Alaafin to the admiration of his subjects.

    Impressed with the knowledge of history displayed by Oba Jaiyeola, Alaafin described him as a person who is always thirsty for knowledge. “Ona Onibode is a knowledgeable person who seeks for knowledge.

    One Onibode would come to me to look for history books and many of them are with him.

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    “If people like us pass on, people like Ona Onibode will be able to tell the authentic history because he has facts and proofs.”

    While praying for Oba Jaiyeola to live long, Alaafin advised him to embrace both the lowly and those in high places.

    Alaafin came with two of his beautiful wives and his council of chiefs, the Oyo Mesi.

     

    The event brought dignitaries from all walks of life, including the deputy governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan; the senator representing Oyo North in the Senate, Senator Fatai Buhari; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly,  Adebo Ogundoyin;  some members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, including Adebunmi Lateef Layiwola; traditional rulers from Oke-Ogun and Kwara State; Lady Silifat Adeboyin Peller, wife of the late magician, Professor Peller; Presiden Woman Society of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs) Gloria Laraba Soda (MNI) and many other eminent people of Oke Ogun, Oyo State.

    A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Otunba Goke Olakulehin, described Oba Jaiyeola as a no-nonsense person.

    “He is a royal enigma, a royal actor par excellence. Right from childhood, he exhibited traits of  courage, a qualiy that endeared him to all and sundry.

    He brooked no nonsense. He was our own royal emblem in our childhood. When he ascended the throne, I wasn’t surprised,”Olakulehin said.

    Explaining why the present Ona Onibode and Alaafin are so close, one of the elders in the town traced this back to history. “The  Alaafin that first stayed in Igboho did not only hand Igboho to Ona Onibode, he left 71 queens with Ona Onibode, while he moved to the present Oyo.

    Four of the former Alaafins died in Igboho and were buried there. So, Igboho is not just an ordinary town, it is very unique and holds a special place in the heart of Alaafin.

    “Had it been there was no crisis in the past, Igboho would have been big like Ibadan and Ijebu,” he told The Nation.

  • Osun community where palmwine is used to deliver pregnant women, cure serious ailments

    Soji ADENIYI

     

    Isiaka Abiona, popularly called Okun Poti, is  the   Secretary of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACCOMORAN),otherwise known as  Okada riders, in Ila-Orangun, headquarters of Ila Local Government Area of Osun State. He swears, like  many natives of the town,that  palm wine is good for one’s health.

    That  sentiment resonates across the SouthWest with the saying “Emu l’ogun Ila” (palm wine is medicine to Ila people).

    This reporter ran into Isiaka at his duty post in front of the Orangun of Ila Palace, where he oversees ticket fee collection   for his association.

    Courtesies over, the Agbondan Compound , Oke Ede,Ila Orangun-born Isiaka spoke glowingly about his passion for palm wine.

    Lamidi Olajide“I drink it like water because it does not only quench my thirst, it also cools my nerves and relieves me of my pains,” he said.

    “You know I work in the sun that makes you tired all day, so I take palm wine as a reliever.”

    Another Okada ride, Kamoru Oyeniyi, aka ‘Exco’ from Opeyakata Compound, shares Isiaka’s sentiments.

    He said: “In those days, palm wine was used to cure various and serious ailments.

    “Palm wine, on its own, is medicinal.But it is more effective when it is undiluted and laced with   some leaves.

    “Palm wine and ‘ewedu’ are a good therapy for a pregnant woman.

    “If a pregnant woman takes boiled  ‘ewedu’ and palm wine, delivery is easier. That is the power of palm wine combined with some leaves.”

    But palm wine tapping seems to be going out of fashion in the ancient town.

    There are not many youths tapping,processing  and selling  the stuff and the old generation of tappers is dwindling. Elders of the town are worried.

    A traditional chief, Samuel Areajo, from Akeke Compound, blames the situation on education and civilisation.

    According to him, many youths  see no future in the business.

    Areajo tapped palm wine for many years before he retired two years ago. He is not pleased that none of his children is engaged in the business.

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    “The youths prefer white collar jobs and we, parents, are not encouraging them because it cannot put food on the table,” he said. “When we were in the business, we could build houses, train our children in school and provide materially for our families.

    “But today’s scope of social lives has expanded beyond what palm wine tapping can cater for.”

    A major palm wine tapper and marketer in the town, Sulaimon Falowo, who runs a  joint at Araromi, Oke-Jigbo area of the town, said though very few people are still engaged in the  business, he and his wife, Risikatu, have little or nothing  to complain about.

    While Sulaimon taps and sells palm wine, his wife provides delicious bush meat and fish pepper soups for their clients at their Maje drinking joint after the day’s work.

    Some of the many palm wine joints have added the sale of beer to their business.

    They have also done away with gourds and calabashes to serve palm wine. Such have been replaced with glass/plastic cups and jerry cans.

    The sitting arrangement at the joints have also been modernised with bamboo/wooden seats and tables giving way for plastic chairs and table.

    Adeniyi Oyewole, a retired soldier  and former tapper from Olumobi Compound, thinks drinking palm wine straight from the calabash is far more pleasurable than using a glass or plastic cup.

    Lamidi Olajide from Awo Temileke Compound and an aide of  the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Adedotun, says although he stopped taking  alcoholic drinks about three years ago on  religious grounds, he still takes palm wine to ‘cure’ some ailments.

  • Girl-child almajiri menace sparks concerns in Zamfara

    Sani MUHAMMAD SANI, Gusau

     

    An unusual spectacle in Zamfara State is the sight of female urchins popularly called almajiri roaming the streets in many of the towns and villages, particularly in Gusau, the capital city. They include young girls as well as married women and even octogenarians. They are found on the streets of Gusau even in the darkest of hours.

    Young girls aged six or seven, who ordinarily should be in school, are seen leading their blind parents through the streets, begging for alms. More often than not, they fall victim to hit-and-run drivers while it is often difficult to trace their homes.

    Lately, there have been reports of male almajiris sexually abused in reformatory homes in different states in the north, leaving one to wonder the fate that awaits the numerous girl-children in the almajiri schools that pimple the state.

    Almajiri

    Age-long phenomenon

    To be sure, the almajiri phenomenon is a very old practice in Muslims dominated north. Travelling from one part of the region to another in search of Islamic knowledge is also as old as human history.

    The practice had seen its better days when it was used as a tool to impact the knowledge of Islam to young boys and girls in the hope that they would become Allah’s ambassadors and also live the good life. But the system has been abused by evil-minded patrons who are bent on exploiting it for selfish ends.

    Historically, the girl-child was originally not in the reckoning when the almajiri system was contemplated. But the introduction of rehabilitation homes like Gidan Malam Kawu in Bauchi and the Gidan Mallam Nigga in Rigasa, Kaduna State, which was busted by security agents last year, as well as others in states like Kano and Katsina among others, where recalcitrant youths are admitted purportedly for rehabilitation purposes has changed all that. Many young people admitted into some of the so-called rehabilitation centres have turned out to become more hardened in their waywardness.

    Many parents who want to shy away from their parental responsibilities now see the almajiri schools as an escape route. They enroll their children in such schools and simply abandon them there.

    Asked who provides the treatment when they fallsick, Sama’Ila Isa, a 16-year-old member of an almajiri school in Gusau, said: “Nobody. Not even our teacher.

    Also asked what the inmates of the centre do with the moneys they generate when they go out for alms, he said: “We give everything to our teacher.”

    Further investigation by our correspondent revealed that behind the façade of wretchedness often exhibited by teachers in the almajiri schools, many of them make huge savings and are also proud owners of landed properties and other valuables, as they make good fortune at the expense of their poor pupils.

    In Gusau, for instance, one could see a child whose age is as low as three years begging for alms and food, and trekking long distances on bare foot.

    As if that was not bad enough, the girl-child almajiri schools started springing up unchallenged. Like their male counterparts, girls aged between three and seven are kept in the centres until they memorise the Qur’an. And in many of the schools, both sexes are kept together.

    A leader of one of the male and female almajiri schools known as Makarantar Malam Mai Mari and situated at Gangaren Makabarta area Gusau, Malam Muhammad Bawa, said he had run the almajiri school for more than 60 years.

    Bawa, who said he started running the school even before he got married, recalled that he started the school with about 100 almajiris.

    “We have both male and female children in this school. Their parents bring them from the villages. Most of their parents are graduates of this school,” he boasted.

     

    Concerns over menace

    SDGs Platform, an NGO under the Canadian Sponsored project, Reaching and Empowering Adolescents to Make Choices of their Health (REACH) in Nigeria, appealed to the Zamfara State government to tackle the girl-child almajiri issues in the state.

    The Secretary of the platform, Malam Yusuf Yahaya, who led members of the platform on a visit to one of the schools sometime ago, said: “We visited one of the almajiri schools in Gusau and we are not happy with the discovery of girl-child almajiri there.

    Almajiri

    Girls are kept together with their male counterparts in the name of almajiranci. This is disheartening. It is a wake-up call to government and well-to-do individuals in the society to intervene and address the issue.”

    Yahaya added that “while the male almajiri scheme is not new, as it has existedfor many years, and we know its challenges and problems, it is very unfortunate that we are now beginning to have girl almajiris in the state.”

    If care is not taken, he warned, the problem will spiral into uncontrollable proportion and could aggravate the problems of child abuse, child molestation, child labour and rape.

    He urged the state government to, as a master of urgency, check the activities of the scholars in charge of the schools and provide them with means of livelihood.

    He also appealed to the governor of the state, Dr. Bello Muhammad, and members of the state house of assembly to intervene quickly in the matter by promulgating laws to checkmate the trend and provide lasting solutions to the problem.

    Responding to the matter, the Community, Engagement and Advocacy Coordinator of REACH project, Hajiya Fatima Musa, said visits made to the almajiri schools by the platform was the outcome of a roundtable discussion on child rights issues in the state, where they decided to visit some of the almajiri schools to interact with the children, especially the vulnerable ones among them.

    She thanked the media, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other relevant stakeholders for their cooperation to ensure the success of the activities of the project in the state.

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    The project coordinator of REACH explained that the project is a three-year arrangement funded by Global Affairs of Canada and implemented in three states of Northern Nigeria, namely Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara, by an NGO known as Save the Children International.

    She said: “The project is working to ensure improvement in the ability of adolescent boys and girls aged 10 to 19 years in hard to reach rural communities in Northern Nigeria. The project will ensure that this group of children claim their rights to sexual and reproductive health.

    “It will also improve access to quantity gender-transformative and adolescent-friendly, Sexual and Reproductive Health services and rights for unmarried and married adolescent girls and boys.”

     

    Buhari wades in

    President Muhammad Buhari, during the inauguration of the National Economic Council for the 2019-2023 in Abuja this year, stated that it is now a crime for parents to deny their children basic education in the country. The President pointed out that there is need to enforce rigorously the law on free and compulsory basic education.

    He said: “Section 18(3) of the 1999 constitution as amended places on all of us here an obligation to eradicate illiteracy and provide free and compulsory education.”

    He added: “Section 2 of the compulsory free Universal Basic Education Act provides that every government in Nigeria shall provide free, compulsory and universal basic education for every child of primary and junior secondary schools education.”

    The question a lot of people are asking is if President Buhari believes in what the constitution says on free and compulsory education and truly believes in the provision of criminal offence for parents who deprive their children of universal basic education, what has the present administration done to refurbish the already dilapidated almajiri schools which former President Goodluck Jonathan built?

    There are about 25 Almajiri Special Schools built by the immediate past administration of Jonathan with a view to catering for both the Islamic and modern educational needs of the uncountable children roaming the streets of the north, begging for alms and heading towards becoming nuisance in the society.

    The almajiri schools built by the federal government are now left at the mercy of criminals and reptiles and are now meeting points for marauders and other evils.

    Taming the almajiris, according to some educationists, is practically impossible as most states in the north would neither renovate nor furnish their western schools with desks and other learning materials. Pupils still take lectures under the shade of trees, inside dilapidated classrooms, on floors filled with of potholes and under roofs of classrooms that are threatening to fall on the pupils.

    The proprietors of almajiri schools have simply taken advantage of the trend to make money and pollute the minds of their pupils and push them to become recalcitrant and with tendency to become terrorists.

  • Five dead, 11 houses lost to Lagos pipeline fire

    Residents of Ile-Epo and Ekoro roads near Abule-Egba in Agbado-Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State are counting their losses following last Sunday night’s pipeline explosion, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO.

     

    IT was another day of agony and fury as residents counted their losses in the pipeline explosion that ravaged some communities in Agbado-Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State on Sunday night.

    The explosion, which started around 8 pm, reminded them of past horrible moments.

    Like the previous explosions, the Sunday disaster did not go without casualties.

    Five persons were confirmed dead, while 11 houses, 39 vehicles and 17 shops were lost to the explosion.

    The number of those who sustained injuries could not be ascertained and scores of them have been taken to various hospitals.

    When The Nation visited the scene on Monday, many burnt vehicles, buildings and electric poles littered the road.

    Some residents said the fire started a few minutes after the vandals had filled over 24 fuel tankers of 33,000 litres.

    They said the vandals covered the point from which they siphoned the petroleum product with sand.

    According to them, the vandals operated almost daily with no one to challenge them.

    A plank trader, Alhaja Bukola Balikees Afuwape, said an old man popularly called Baba Araokanmi died in the incident.

    “Baba just moved in here last year when his house at Oju-Irin collapsed. This morning, we were looking for him before we discovered that he is at Ikeja Mortuary,” she said. Keji, the daughter of the deceased, said she was still in shock over the incident.

    A resident, Taiwo Odugbesan, said: “I heard people saying ‘put off the light, don’t turn on your gas, don’t strike matches.’ Immediately I got outside not long before that, we saw fire coming from the gutter and that was the end. All I had have been lost. The cloth I’m putting on was bought for me. Everything is gone.”

    Another resident, Moses Olasunkanmi, said he lost everything to the fire. “You can see for yourself, my bedroom, my clothes, everything I have got burnt. The cloth I am wearing was given to me by a colleague who came to see me this morning… People were running up and down and I was in the compound asking myself where should I run to?

    “We need government assistance; I mean financial assistance, because so many people lost their properties to the incident.”

    According to Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Dr  Femi Oke-Osayintolu, “five persons, including three adult males, one adult female, and a five-year-old child were found dead. Also, 20 people were treated for minor injuries and discharged at the scene, while 150 people, including children were displaced.

    “The buildings affected are a storey building at No 18 Musa Erimo Street and four buildings, including a storey building and three bungalows on No 1, 2, 7 and 20, Joel Nnadede Street in Ekoro. Also, on Hamed Sodiq Street, a two-storey building on No 2 and two bungalows on No 4 and No 8 were affected, while on the NNPC power line road, three bungalows at Nos 45, 47 and 49 were razed.

    “Seventeen shops and 39 vehicles including 33 trucks, three cars and three tricycles were also affected. We will continue to keep members of the public abreast with updates,” he said.

    Oke-Osayintolu continued: “We were informed by 8.30 pm and by 9 pm we have curtailed it and by 11.30 pm we have put it off.

    “Having contained the area at 11.30 pm, we have commenced an enumeration of the vehicles and properties that were involved this morning. We appeal to all to remain calm and report suspicious activities to curtail the instances of these unfortunate incidents. In line with Mr Governor’s greater Lagos agenda, the government will do its part, while the citizens need to do their part. We will continue to keep members of the public abreast with updates.”

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director Mele Kyari said the corporation was working with security agencies to reduce incidents of pipeline vandalism to the barest minimum, describing the problem as a major national security concern. Kyari spoke when he inspected the scene.

    Kyari said: “Unfortunately, this incident has happened and we lost five lives and there are many people who were injured, and that is very pathetic for us. More importantly, what is happening around the System 2 B Pipeline from Atlas Cove to Mosimi to Ilorin are acts of vandals of all nature along our right of way. What they do is that they make insertions into our pipelines, tap petroleum products and at the end, it will be disasters we have seen like this. This is happening daily.

    “What this portends is a danger to all of us. If this incident had happened under a windy condition yesterday, then we would have been talking of thousands of people dying.”

    He said beyond working with security agencies to curb such incidents, the cooperation of all Nigerians, especially those residing close to the pipelines, would be required to achieve desired results.

    “These activities are happening within communities. People are aware of what is happening, and if we allow them to continue doing what they are doing, they will kill all of us and everybody along this corridor will be affected.

    “Therefore, we do need the help and cooperation of all members of the community to expose these people when they come.

    “It is no secret because as you can see, the point this fire started is in the visibility of everybody around here. That means that we saw it and did not do anything, and this is the result we are seeing. We are counting on Nigerians to help us resolve this because it is a major national security concern,” he said.

    Kyari said the affected line, which was shut down as a result of the inferno had been restored.

    “We are happy that we have restored the line. After the break, we shut down the line to contain the damage it can cause but now we are back on stream. Petroleum products are flowing from Atlas Cove to Ilorin as we speak now,” he said.

    The NNPC boss, who also visited the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, solicited the support of traditional and community leaders in tackling the menace.

    Also speaking, Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, Staff Officer, Western Naval Command, said the security agencies were cooperating to restore sanity to the pipelines and apprehend the vandals.

    He said the Nigerian Navy had so far taken out over 300 houses on the right of way across the state with the support of the Lagos State Government, and the exercise was still ongoing.

    Akiolu assured the NNPC boss that the traditional rulers would intensify efforts to protect pipelines and other infrastructure within their respective domains.

    He said the upsurge in pipeline vandalism was due to the greed of some individuals desperate to make money without considering the implications of their actions.

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said it was investigating the incident. The DPR, which is the regulator of the petroleum industry, announced in a statement posted on its website.

    The statement reads: “The Department wishes to commiserate with all who were affected by this unfortunate tragedy, which has been attributed to sabotage and vandalism by unscrupulous persons.

    “In line with our regulatory oversight to the Nigerian oil and gas industry, as enshrined in the Petroleum Act Cap P10 LFN 2004, the DPR has commenced investigations with other relevant stakeholders into the incident.

    “We assure the public that the safety of all Nigerians is of paramount concern in the discharge of our regulatory mandate for the oil and gas sector.”

    It added that a report on the agency’s inquest would be communicated when concluded.

     

    • Additional reports: EMEKA UGWUANYI, HALIMAH BALOGUN, RUTH OLADAPO, and OLUWASEUN AWOBODE