By Our Reporter

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Retail Limited has commissioned its first technology-powered self-service smart filling station in Abuja, introducing 24-hour automated fuel dispensing and electric vehicle charging services.

The facility, located along Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Road, Abuja, marks a major shift in the company’s retail operations as it moves to transform conventional filling stations into technology-driven energy, mobility and lifestyle centres.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Limited, Dr Mumuni Dagazau, said the facility reflected NNPC Retail’s commitment to innovation, convenience, operational efficiency and improved customer experience.

Dagazau commended the Nigeria Immigration Service for providing the land and supporting the partnership that facilitated the development of the facility.

The Managing Director of NNPC Retail, Mr Huub Stokman, said the smart station demonstrated the changes taking place in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and the company’s efforts to respond to changing consumer expectations.

“The facility demonstrates the changes in Nigeria’s downstream industry and our commitment to meeting consumer expectations for quality, convenience, speed and reliable service,” Stokman said.

The 24-hour facility allows motorists to dispense fuel through a self-service system, enabling customers to complete transactions independently and select the exact quantity of fuel required.

Beyond fuel dispensing, the station has been equipped with electric vehicle charging points, an automated car wash, lubricant service bay and LPG dispensing facilities.

The company also said the facility would provide other lifestyle services, while plans are underway to expand its energy offerings to include Compressed Natural Gas.

The commissioning represents a new phase in NNPC Retail’s effort to modernise its retail network and develop filling stations into smart energy, mobility and lifestyle destinations.

The company said the initiative would support the delivery of a more convenient, technology-driven and customer-focused retail experience across Nigeria.

By Our Reporter

The National Assembly has halted all official visits to South Africa and announced a boycott of legislative programmes organised or hosted by the country until further notice, following renewed reports of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals.

The decision was reached after consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives over reports of Nigerians being killed, injured and displaced, with some allegedly forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties.

In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the leadership expressed serious concern over the situation, noting that repeated appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to safeguard Nigerians and other foreign nationals and prosecute those responsible had failed to stop further incidents.

The National Assembly acknowledged measures already taken by the Federal Government, including efforts to assist Nigerians affected by the violence and facilitate the return of those wishing to leave South Africa.

Under the new resolution, all official trips to South Africa involving the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff have been suspended.

The ban also extends to conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

It further covers both physical attendance at such programmes in South Africa and participation through virtual or online platforms.

The Clerk has consequently been directed to communicate the resolution to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff to ensure full compliance.

According to the leadership, the suspension will remain in place until further notice and may be reviewed depending on developments.

The National Assembly’s decision is the latest in a series of measures taken by Nigeria in response to renewed hostility against African migrants in South Africa.

Nigeria commenced the evacuation of its citizens from South Africa in June following fresh reports of xenophobic attacks. The first batch of 258 Nigerians arrived in Lagos on June 11, with additional flights subsequently bringing more citizens back home.

By July 9, the number of Nigerians evacuated had reportedly reached about 1,000.

The Federal Government said Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation, underwent screening and were cleared would be safely transported home.

The repatriation exercise continued in the following months. In August, 83 Nigerian returnees arrived in Lagos, followed by another 67 a week later.

Government agencies received the returnees for documentation, profiling and reunification with their families.

Beyond the evacuation exercise, Nigeria has continued to demand stronger action from South African authorities to end attacks against Nigerians.

In July, the Federal Government called on South Africa to take decisive steps against recurring xenophobic attacks. Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa also disclosed that the government had begun documenting businesses and properties abandoned by Nigerians who returned home, with a view to pursuing possible compensation.

President Bola Tinubu later took the matter to the African Union, seeking collective action and urging the continental body to place xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has equally condemned the mistreatment of Nigerians and other African nationals while maintaining that Nigeria remains committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement with South Africa.

The National Assembly, however, stressed that its latest action should not be interpreted as an attempt to damage the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and South Africa.

Rather, it described the suspension as a firm expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.

The lawmakers called on the South African government to urgently take concrete steps to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable under the law.

The National Assembly also urged state Houses of Assembly to take note of the resolution and consider similar measures where necessary.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad and said it would continue monitoring developments surrounding the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.

Four mobile policemen and eight residents have reportedly been killed following an attack on Ayilamo community in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Friday morning when armed assailants invaded the farming settlement, according to residents who spoke to journalists.

The attackers, said to be more than 200 in number, reportedly entered the community through Alufu Road in neighbouring Taraba State before moving towards Ayilamo, where they allegedly opened fire on residents and set several houses ablaze.

Ayilamo, situated along the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari road, has reportedly suffered repeated attacks, prompting residents to call for a stronger security presence in the area.

A resident, Tyolumun Ugande, told journalists in Makurdi that mobile policemen stationed in the community engaged the attackers in a gun battle.

According to him, the confrontation began on Thursday night and continued for several hours before the assailants withdrew.

Ugande said the bodies of four policemen were found in the bush on Friday morning, while eight villagers were also discovered dead following the attack.
He added that several houses were burnt during the invasion.

Another resident, James Udough, said the latest incident marked the second time in a month that mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo had reportedly been killed by the attackers.

“The bandits have been trying to set the whole of Ayilamo ablaze for more than two years now. We call on security personnel, the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to help secure our land and lives,” he said.

Some residents further linked the recurring attacks to rumours surrounding the presence of substantial mineral deposits in and around Ayilamo.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the command would issue an official statement on the incident.

However, no statement had been released by the police as of the time of filing the report.

(DAILY TRUST)