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Fuel Scarcity: Students, Group Back DSS’ Ultimatum, Blasts Falana

Published

3 years ago

December 11, 2022

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Association of University Students (NAUS) and The Natives, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), on Sunday commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for issuing an ultimatum to oil marketers over fuel scarcity in some parts of the country.

The DSS on Thursday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to relevant stakeholders in the oil industry to end fuel scarcity during a meeting with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL), the leadership of the major marketers, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN) and the tanker drivers branch of NUPENG.

But, activist lawyer, Femi Falana, had described the ultimatum as an empty threat.

His statement had attracted condemnation from several bodies and groups including NANS, NAUS and also The Natives, whose Supreme Leader and President General, Smart Edwards condemned Falana for discrediting the DSS.

Addressing a press conference, Edwards said: “I want to categorically commend the Director General of the State Department and his team for being proactive and responsive to the yearnings of Nigerians; indeed there seems to be a ray of hope when the intelligence community rises to defend its citizens.

“We are glad to hear and see the DSS as not only restraining or curtailing threats but rising up to enforce sanity and order.”

He noted that it has now become “normal” to have artificial scarcity in the country at every festive season, blaming such on “the gang in the oil industry and national saboteurs,” who inflict “hardship on citizens to satisfy their profiteering.”

Edwards avowed: “This act of the State Security is applaudable, for rising up to the challenge, in defence of ordinary citizens, to resist any calculated plot to unleash untold hardship on Nigerians.”

He urged Nigerians to stand with its security forces to “bust the ring of conspirators and criminals, who are privileged to be in the oil sector.”

Speaking further, he said: “How can we explain that the GCEO, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, in his recent determination to sustain gains from the relative peace and discoveries in the Niger Delta, has not only been seen moving from location to location to ascertain fuel availability all over the country, he even announced that there is enough fuel in the depots to meet the consumption of citizens over this period, then suddenly scarcity emerges, to the extent that half of the roads are now blocked creating the emergence of long queues again in the country.”

According to him, “this for us is absolutely a case of sabotage and requires thorough investigations.”

He reminded Nigerians of Tompolo’s exposure in November of the conspiracy around Nigeria’s crude oil by IOCs and powerful forces with the active connivance of locals and security agencies, as well as the allegation of threat to life by NNPCL’s GCEO, Mele Kyari, in obvious reference to the existence of a powerful cartel behind this national sabotage and the plundering of the country’s wealth.

“We, therefore, condemn in strong terms Femi Falana’s statement that seems to discredit the patriotic moves by the DSS,” Edwards stated.

According to him: “This is a citizens’ problem. We must rise to the occasion and support the leadership of the new NNPCL, the DSS and every necessary patriotic effort to reposition, reactivate and revive the oil industry for the benefit of Nigerians, such that it promotes our welfare, well-being, and [provides] jobs for youths and [make us] a prosperous country.”

The group urged the secret service to go further and carry out “national operations as the ultimatum has not only signalled readiness but also capacity to halt this madness.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

20 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

20 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

20 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.