Metro

Drivers, Passengers Groan As Fuel Hits N230 Per Litre In Kogi

Published

3 years ago

October 23, 2022

Lokoja-Okene bound drivers expressed disgust on Sunday as fuel hit at least N230 per litre in Okene and Lokoja local government areas of Kogi State.

Some filling stations visited in Okene on Sunday, it was discovered that the current scarcity of fuel in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, has extended to Okene, with major filling stations without fuel to dispense to motorists.

In a few filling stations where fuel was sold, it was at a cost of at least N230 per litre, while some drivers said the price could be as high as N270 in other filling stations in the area.

Commenting on the development, a Lokoja-Okene bound commercial driver, Issa Mohammed, described scarcity of fuel in Okene as worse compared to Lokoja, where the product is sold between N220and N225 per litre.

“The current hike in the price of fuel, especially in Lokoja and Okene, is fast going beyond the purchasing capacity of an average commercial driver to cope with.

“Hardly can any commercial driver in Lokoja and Okene can boast of making a tangible profit at the end of the day’s business as all our proceeds go for the purchase of fuel which continues to hit the roof,” Mohammed told DAILY POST.

“Many of us are still in job because we have no other profession to fall back to, not that there is much profitability in the job again.

“We will be happy if the government can help us check black marketers in the fuel business so we can at least make some profit or break even in this business.

“The terrible hike in motor spare parts, accelerated wear and tear of our vehicles, and bad road are also issues giving us sleepless nights as much of our proceeds go for the purchase of spare parts and repairs of our vehicles.”

Mohamed’s colleagues, who aligned with his observation on the issue, called on the federal government to supply more fuel to the filling stations as a natural way of forcing down the price of fuel to the official level.

DAILY POST reports that transport fare, which used to be N500 or N600 from Lokoja to Okene (70kms), as the case had been a few months ago, has risen to N1,500 per trip and, in some instances, N1,800.

Commercial and tricycle operators in Lokoja and Okene are not spared, as they have also hiked their services by 50 to 80 percent, citing the skyrocketing price of fuel.

Some passengers who also complained of the hike in transport fare,in separate interviews with DAILY POST, called on NNPC limited to direct its searchlight on shylock dealers selling fuel beyond the official pump price of N179 per litre in the area.

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

11 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

12 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.

Metro

Man, 49, Arrested For Allegedly Defiling 13-year-old Girl In Oyo

Published

15 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a 49-year-old man, Peter Adubi, in connection with the alleged defilement of a 13-year-old girl.

The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.

According to the statement, the suspect was apprehended after the victim’s guardian reported the incident to the police on January 8, 2026, at about 8:50 p.m.

Ayanlade explained that the guardian became concerned after observing unusual sexual-related behavioural changes in the minor.

Upon gentle questioning, the girl disclosed that she had been sexually abused in 2022 while living with her mother in the Molade area of Ibadan.

He said, “Upon receipt of the report, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect (Adubi) allegedly committed the offence during that period. This disclosure provided the basis for immediate medical intervention to establish the facts of the case.

“Consequently, the minor was taken to the hospital for a medical examination, which confirmed sexual abuse. This medical evidence strengthened the case against the suspect and guided the next steps in the investigation.

“As a result, the suspect (Adubi) was taken into custody. The crime scene was visited, and the case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Desk, for a discreet and thorough investigation.”

The Police Command assured residents that justice would be diligently pursued and urged them to remain vigilant, reporting any incidents of sexual abuse promptly, as community cooperation is vital in safeguarding children and ensuring a safer society.