Author: Vincent Osuwo

Amid the increase in the pump prices of petrol, on Tuesday, more residents, including civil servants in Borno state, abandoned their vehicles to embrace trekking, horseback riding, and the use of bicycles and tricycles for mobility. During a tour of Maiduguri, the state capital, in the early hours of Thursday, PUNCH Online saw fewer automobiles and more pedestrians, including horse and bicycle riders, on main routes. One of the pedestrians, Dadoon Pam, a graphic designer, told Punch reporters that the cost of mobility has risen dramatically as tricycle operators now allude to NNPC’s increase in petrol prices, causing commuters to…

The Haitian government has declared a state of emergency across the country as it battles violent gangs that have taken control of major areas of the capital and are seeking to spread to other regions.  The action comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepares to visit the Caribbean island, where he will meet with Prime Minister Garry Conille to discuss “the next steps in Haiti’s democratic transition.” Mr. Conille has been striving to restore order since the new government was founded three months ago. Joseph John bags life sentence over Haiti president’s murder   According to the United Nations,…

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has asked for an urgent reversal of the recent hike in petrol prices, claiming that it will undoubtedly exacerbate Nigerians’ hardship.  The caucus stated in a statement on Thursday that the unilateral move of raising the price of Premium Motor Spirit violates the principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness that should drive choices affecting citizens’ lives. The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, issued a statement titled “Reverse petrol prices now,” urging the President to immediately implement urgent measures to address the link between dire economic conditions and social unrest rather than creating conditions…

Benedict Akika, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, was reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday night by gunmen. He was claimed to have been kidnapped at his Olorunda home in the Lagelu Local Government Area of the state. According to reports, the gunmen, who were heavily armed, broke into his home and threatened to shoot any occupants who resisted. A family source, who did not want his name published, claimed the victim was relaxing with his family when the attackers attacked his home. The source mentioned that “there was a sporadic gunshot that was aimed at…

Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympian, has died in Kenya four days after being set on fire by her boyfriend, Ugandan athletics officials said Thursday. “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei… following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” the president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, Donald Rukare, said in a post on X. “This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure,” he added. According to police, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, Cheptegei’s partner, allegedly doused her with fuel and set…

Idowu Christianah, a 300-level student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has allegedly been murdered by her friend who kidnapped her and demanded for N3M ransom from her family. Christianah was abducted on the 19th of August on her way to the University of Lagos, UNILAG, where she does her Industrial Training, IT. According to reports, the suspect, Adeleye Ayomide, a student of the Olabisi Onabanjo UNiversity, (OOU) allegedly killed his first victim, his girlfriend when he was 17-year-old. Also, he reportedly killed his sister and buried both victims in his parents’ house before he was apprehended by…

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja, thwarted 70 contrabands worth N8.9bn in July. This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by Customs Area Controller Kola Oladeji, who displayed the illicit drugs in Lagos. “Within the period under review, we made 70 seizures with a total duty paid value of N8.09bn that was intercepted,” the Customs officer stated. “Within the period under review, we made 70 seizures with a total duty paid value of N8.09bn that was intercepted,” he stated. Giving a breakdown of the seizures, Oladeji revealed that 6,168 donkey skins weighing 29.606 km…

The executive governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, on Wednesday dismissed insinuations that the state was witnessing an upsurge in violent attacks and killings. He was reacting to gunman attacks on Tuesday night in the Dafo and Kwata towns of the state’s Bokkos Local Government Area, which killed eight people. On Tuesday night, gunmen attacked the town and opened fire on innocent residents, murdering eight people in the two impacted towns. Plateau: Gunmen kill eight in fresh attack Speaking to journalists on Wednesday during a biannual shooting range categorisation exercise held by the 3 Division, Nigerian Army, at its headquarters…

Bill Gates, an American billionaire and philanthropist, said on Wednesday that Nigeria’s economy has stagnated, noting that the country’s revenue-to-GDP ratio was higher 15 years ago than it is today.  He recommended the federal government concentrate health-care investment as a strategy of revitalising the economy. Gates, who attended the National Executive Council meeting at State House in Abuja, emphasised the need for investing in Nigeria’s most precious asset—its people—while addressing the country’s economic challenges. He acknowledged that Nigeria is facing budgetary restrictions but emphasised that the people’s health comes first. Gates said, “Nigeria’s economy has stagnated. Earlier this year, your…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that 188 cases of oil theft were reported in the last week.  According to the state-owned electricity provider, the accidents occurred between August 24 and August 30. In a graphic report, the NNPC stated, “Between the 24th and 30th of August 2024, a total of 188 incidents of oil theft were recorded across several locations in the Niger Delta from different incident sources.” It was discovered that 89 illegal refineries were located and decommissioned in a single week. According to the NNPC, many unlawful connections were discovered this week in Bayelsa,…