DEPOT owners across Nigeria have raised the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, by an average of N100 per kilogram, as geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East sends shockwaves through global energy markets and into Nigerian households. News Point Nigeria reports that major distributors have already adjusted their price boards. Nipco Plc is now selling LPG at N950 per kilogram. Navgas Limited has moved to N900 per kilogram, while Techno Oil Limited is dispensing at N885 per kilogram. The increases mark a sharp rise from the previous market average of around N800 per kilogram and…
Author: Sadiq Abdullateef
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THE Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five security operatives allegedly implicated in facilitating the controversial return of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to Nigeria from Egypt on February 12. News Point Nigeria reports that the development follows an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where DSS operatives reportedly attempted to arrest El-Rufai upon his arrival from Cairo but were unsuccessful. Sources indicated that the DSS had moved to detain the former governor at the airport, but he declined to accompany the officers without a formal invitation. Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai’s former spokesman, had publicly confirmed that…
THE United States Embassy in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, was hit by two drones and a “limited explosion” broke out at the diplomatic compound, the Saudi Ministry of Defence has said. According to multiple international media outlets, News Point Nigeria reports that the strike on the US Embassy early on Tuesday also caused “minor material damage” to the compound, the Defence Ministry said in a statement, while there were reports later that more drones were targeting the site amid Iran’s retaliation across the Gulf to US-Israeli attacks. US President Donald Trump told the NewsNation media outlet that the US…
THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday disclosed extensive details of documents and electronic devices allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, during a search operation last month. News Point Nigeria reports that the disclosures were contained in court filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where the anti-graft agency is opposing a N1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by El-Rufai. In its filings, the commission urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and…
RISING geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States have begun to reverberate through Nigeria’s energy market, with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery increasing its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) gantry price to N875 per litre. The N101 hike raises the ex-depot price from N774 to N875 per litre, sparking concerns of an imminent rise in pump prices across the country. A senior official at the refinery confirmed the development to News Point Nigeria on Monday, attributing the upward review to volatility in global crude oil prices and rising replacement costs. “Yes, the price has been reviewed. The new gantry price…
NIGERIA could see higher oil revenues amid escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran, but energy experts warn that ordinary Nigerians may also face fresh increases in petrol and diesel prices if global crude prices surge above $90 per barrel. As tensions in the Middle East roil global markets, analysts told News Point Nigeria that Africa’s largest crude producer remains exposed to international price shocks despite recent reforms and expanded domestic refining capacity. The crisis intensified following coordinated military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, triggering retaliatory exchanges and heightening fears of a broader regional…
IRAN has announced the formation of a three-member transitional council to handle the state duties following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, member of a powerful constitutional watchdog, was appointed on Sunday to the temporary council, whose other two members are President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei. The 67-year-old cleric, who is a member of the Guardian Council that must later choose a supreme leader, was confirmed to the council by the Expediency Council, a powerful arbitration body. According to Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, the transitional council will govern…
IRANIAN government and state media have confirmed the death of Ali Khamenei, the country’s Supreme Leader, following a massive joint military offensive by the United States and Israel on Saturday, marking an unprecedented escalation in Middle Eastern conflict and raising profound questions about the future of the Islamic Republic. News Point Nigeria reports, citing State television and the official Islamic Republic News Agency who had reported early Sunday that the 86-year-old leader, who had led Iran since 1989 was killed during Saturday’s airstrikes. Iranian media also announced a 40-day period of public mourning, as well as a seven-day national holiday.…
HUNDREDS of Nigerians attempting to travel to or from several Middle Eastern destinations have been stranded following escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran, which have triggered widespread airspace closures and mass flight cancellations. News Point Nigeria reports that travellers bound for or transiting through Qatar, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates were among those affected as major international carriers suspended operations over security concerns. Airlines including Air France, Air India, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, Air Algérie, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa announced cancellations after missile exchanges and airstrikes intensified across the region. On Saturday…
WEDNESDAY night in Abuja delivered a moment that may well redefine one of Nigeria’s most contentious recent cases. Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa formally took custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, marking a decisive turning point in a matter that has steadily grown from a simple missing-person report into a complex legal and human rights battle. What followed was more than a routine handover. The development injected fresh intensity into a dispute that has tested the resilience of Nigeria’s justice system, provoked constitutional scrutiny, and ignited nationwide debate over child protection safeguards and the powers of security agencies. In this weekend…
A DRAMATIC twist unfolded on Friday in the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, as a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that his earlier bail no longer subsists following the reassignment of his case. News Point Nigeria reports that the presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, held that since the matter had commenced afresh before her court, all previous proceedings including the bail earlier granted by Emeka Nwite were legally extinguished. The ruling means the former AGF must file a fresh bail application before the court can consider his release. The Economic and Financial…
OPPOSITION political parties have rejected the 2026 Electoral Act recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. News Point Nigeria reports that the parties called on the National Assembly to immediately begin a fresh amendment process to remove what they described as “all obnoxious provisions” in the law. Their position was made known at a press briefing themed “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday. In a communiqué read by the Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Ahmed Ajuji, the opposition leaders stated:…
GOVERNOR Umar Namadi of Jigawa State on Wednesday night formally took custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, the young woman from Hadejia Local Government Area whose disappearance in 2023 sparked widespread controversy and legal battles. News Point Nigeria reports that Walida, who had been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), was handed over to the governor at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja at about 10:40 p.m. after weeks of public scrutiny and mounting pressure from civil society groups. Speaking shortly after the handover, Governor Namadi described Walida as “a daughter of Jigawa State” and assured that the…
THE power structure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano have taken a dramatic turn following what party insiders described as an underwhelming turnout at Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s high-profile reception rally held on February 16. The development has led to a significant revision of the power-sharing arrangement within the party’s state structure, a move that underscores the delicate balance of forces between established APC figures and the governor’s bloc. The rally, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and several governors, was widely expected to signal a massive consolidation of political forces…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has appointed Tunji Disu as the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), following his acceptance of the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun, in what appears to be a significant shift in the country’s security leadership. News Point Nigeria reports that the announcement was made after Egbetokun tendered his resignation in a letter dated Monday, citing pressing family considerations. However, a credible source within the Presidential Villa told News Point Nigeria that deeper policy disagreements and mounting security concerns may have influenced the sudden leadership change. In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information…
THE detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has triggered fresh political tension, with the anti-graft agency denying claims that the former governor suffered a nosebleed while in custody. News Point Nigeria reports that El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he reportedly spent two nights. The controversy escalated on Tuesday after El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, alleged that the former governor experienced an episode of overnight nose bleeding while detained. Adekeye also claimed…
THE Federal Government has strongly refuted allegations that it paid a multimillion-dollar ransom and released militant commanders to secure the freedom of schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State, describing the claims as false, speculative, and damaging to national security efforts. News Point Nigeria reports that the rebuttal follows a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), which alleged that authorities secretly paid a “huge” ransom to secure the release of 230 pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Secondary and Primary School in Papiri, Niger State. Gunmen stormed the Catholic institution on November 21, abducting nearly 300 pupils…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed Kayode Egbetokun to step down as Inspector-General of Police (IGP), in a major shake-up of Nigeria’s security leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections. Multiple senior sources within the Presidency and the Police Service Commission confirmed to News Point Nigeria on Tuesday that Egbetokun was asked to prepare his handover notes following a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening. The president has reportedly approved the appointment of Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, as the new IGP, subject to confirmation…
FORMER Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has approached the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja seeking an order to quash the criminal charges filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the case as unconstitutional, incompetent and a gross abuse of court process. News Point Nigeria reports that in a motion challenging Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 dated February 16, 2026, El-Rufai urged the court to strike out the charge in its entirety and discharge him completely. The matter is scheduled for hearing on February 25, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. According to court documents, El-Rufai’s legal team…
FORMER Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has instituted a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing the anti-graft agency of unlawfully invading and searching his residence in Abuja. News Point Nigeria reports that the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja. In the originating motion, the former governor is asking the court to nullify a search warrant issued by a magistrate court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on February 4, 2026. According to court documents, the disputed warrant authorised ICPC operatives to…