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MBF backs Defence Minister Musa, demands probe into kaduna killings under El-rufai 

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Abu Umar 

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has thrown its weight behind the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), over his remarks on insecurity in Kaduna State, accusing former  Governor Nasir el-Rufai of complicity in mass killings and calling for an International Criminal Court (ICC) trial.

Addressing journalists at a world press conference in Kaduna on Tuesday, MBF National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, said the Forum was speaking “as star witnesses” to events in Southern Kaduna and other parts of the state during el-Rufai’s administration from 2015 to 2023.

The solidarity press conference followed Gen. Musa’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on September 3, where he said: “We can never be happy with somebody who has deliberately planned for the killing of our people,” while alleging that el-Rufai had publicly admitted to paying bandits.

MBF rejected claims that violence in Kaduna only escalated under el-Rufai because of inherited crises, arguing that what changed was “deliberate targeting of peaceful vulnerable rural communities for annihilation.”

“Communities in Southern Kaduna and other parts of Kaduna state were repeatedly attacked. Villages were burnt, people were killed and thousands were displaced,” Binniyat said.

The Forum cited several cases to back its position, including Goska, 2016, adding “After an attack on the Kaninkon community in Jema’a LGA, the District Head, Moses Barde, was arrested instead of the attackers”.  

Others cases cited are “Kurama Chief, 2016: The traditional ruler, Dr. Ishaku Sabo Damina, was arrested and dethroned after handing over a suspected attacker to the military.

He later died in 2021, which MBF linked to trauma from detention. 

“Atyap Leaders, March 2021″alleging that “15 leaders, including an 82-year-old man, were arrested and accused of killing 706 cows. “At least three died less than a month after release”.

Kajuru 2019 and alleged inflammatory statements, the 

MBF singled out the Kajuru violence of February-March 2019, saying el-Rufai’s announcement of 66, then 130, then 133 Fulani deaths “without a shred of evidence” triggered reprisals.

The Forum noted that the then Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abdulrahman Ahmad, faulted the figures, and that Adara leaders including Awemi Dio Maisamari were detained for over 100 days. 

“In 2024, a Federal High Court awarded N900 million damages to Maisamari and 8 others for unlawful detention”, he said.

According to the forum’s spokesman, despite the arrests, attacks continued in Karamai, Ungwan Barde, Inkirimi and Dogonnoma, with dozens killed and houses destroyed within weeks.

The Forum also referenced the December 2015 Zaria Shiite clash, saying el-Rufai “defended the massacre of over 1000 Shiites” and ordered the arrest of their leaders.

MBF further accused the administration of using 24-hour curfews as “weapons” that left communities defenseless. It cited Goska in December 2016, Samaru Kataf in 2017, and multiple Atyap villages in Zangon Kataf in 2020 where at least 22 people were killed, and later 21-33 more, “despite the subsisting curfew.”

“No single Fulani was brought to book,” the statement said, adding that el-Rufai “never visited or condemned the killings and did nothing for the displaced persons.”

On mass sackings and demolitions, the forum noted that, beyond insecurity, MBF condemned the mass dismissal of about 22,000 teachers and 35,000 workers, and “cruel demolition exercises” across Kaduna.  

It cited the 2016 death of Mary Audu in Gbagyi Villa after receiving a demolition notice, and the May 2023 Gbagyi Villa protest where residents alleged 4 youths were killed and 25 injured after KADVIS operatives fired shots.

“Development cannot be measured only by buildings demolished and roads constructed. It must also be measured by the lives protected and the people whose dignity is preserved,” Binniyat said.

The Forum made 5 key demand including – expressing solidarity with Gen. Christopher Musa over his remarks on el-Rufai’s “seeming complicity”, calling for el-Rufai to be charged with crimes against humanity and handed over to the ICC for prosecution.  

MBF also demanded an independent investigation into allegations of payments to bandits, including claims linked to Gen. Martin Agwai’s committee, review unresolved mass killings in Southern Kaduna, including the 2018 kidnapping and murder of the paramount ruler, Agwom Adara, Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima, and to

Investigate deaths and injuries from controversial demolitions under the el-Rufai administration.

“The appropriate response is not intimidation, insults or political blackmail. The appropriate response is to investigate the issues and establish the truth,” MBF said.

“The people who lost their parents, children, homes, livelihoods, jobs and communities deserve nothing less.”.

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NNPC announces nationwide N66 fuel discount for fuel bought through app

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By Our Reporter

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has commenced a nationwide promotional campaign offering customers a ₦66 discount on fuel purchases made through its NNPC Fuel App.

The promotion, which began on October 1, will run until October 7 at NNPC filling stations across the country.

NNPC announced the initiative in a post on its X handle on Friday, saying customers had already started taking advantage of the offer at various stations.

“The ₦66 Discount Promo is ongoing & the excitement is already happening across our stations nationwide!

“All over Nigeria, our customers are getting in on the action & there’s still time for you to benefit!

The promo runs from 1–7 October on the NNPC Fuel App,” the post read.

The company said activities had commenced at several of its stations nationwide, with highlights from the first day of the promotion shared with the public.

NNPC urged motorists and other customers to continue using the Fuel App for their transactions throughout the seven-day campaign in order to benefit from the discount.

“Keep fueling, keep transacting and keep your eyes on our pages,” the post read.

The national oil company also said it would continue to release pictures and updates from participating stations as the promotion progresses.

Customers have been advised to take advantage of the offer before the promotional period ends on October 7.

The ₦66 discount applies to eligible transactions made through the NNPC Fuel App during the promotion.

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Hardship: Public servants begin three-day warning strike

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By Our Reporter

Public servants across Nigeria have commenced a three-day warning strike following a directive by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council over what the workers described as worsening economic and mental hardship.

The industrial action, which began at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, is expected to run through Sunday, October 4.

The council directed its national and state leadership to mobilise workers for the action, with the directive contained in a circular dated October 1 and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.

The circular urged the council’s leadership to ensure that the strike notice reached workers across the country.

The decision, according to the council, followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to demands earlier presented to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, 2026.

READ ALSO:Unions reject TUC suspension of strike, demand reversal of King’s College concession

Explaining the commencement of the industrial action, the council stated, “Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight on Friday, 2nd October, 2026 to Sunday October 4th, 2026.”

The council called on public servants at the federal, state and local government levels to participate in the warning strike, saying the action was aimed at drawing attention to the economic difficulties confronting workers and their dependants.

It stated, “In the same vein, all public servants in the services of federal, state and local governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially, all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”

The JNPSNC further expressed concern over the impact of the economic situation on workers, saying, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”

It also directed its leaders to commence immediate mobilisation for the industrial action, declaring, “The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!”

The warning strike comes against the backdrop of demands earlier submitted by the council to the Federal Government for measures to ease the pressure of rising living costs on workers.

Among the demands were a reduction in the price of petrol, an immediate wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The council had reportedly asked the Federal Government to bring down the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award and constitute a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.

The demands followed continued concerns over the declining purchasing power of workers amid increases in the prices of essential commodities, transportation and other household needs.

In its latest circular, the council urged its members to circulate the strike notice and expressed optimism about the outcome of the industrial action.

“Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!” the circular added.

The council maintained that the warning strike would proceed as scheduled, with public servants across the federal, state and local government services expected to take part.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Labour were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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Olokoro Community Eulogises NDPHC MD/CEO Adighije for School Renovation, Development Projects

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Johnchuks Onuanyim, Abuja

The people of Olokoro Clan in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State have showered encomiums on the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Engr. Jennifer Adighije, for executing key development projects in the community, including the comprehensive renovation of a block of classrooms at Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara.

The community described the projects as landmark interventions that have not only improved learning conditions for students but also reinforced Adighije’s commitment to grassroots development and community service.

Speaking during the commissioning of the projects on Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration, community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups and youth organisations hailed Adighije as a worthy ambassador of Olokoro whose contributions have brought honour and development to the clan.

The projects commissioned include the renovation of a classroom block at Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara Olokoro, and the landscaping and installation of modern 3D flooring at the Olokoro Clan Headquarters Complex in Ahiaukwu.

The event attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, government representatives, community stakeholders and indigenes who turned out to celebrate what many described as a historic day for the clan.

In his remarks, the Federated President-General of the Olokoro Clan Development Union (OCDU), Dr. Odinakachi Umekwe, commended Adighije for her dedication to the welfare of her people and for consistently identifying with the aspirations of the community.

He noted that the renovation of the school facility would significantly improve the learning environment for students and contribute to educational development in the area.

Umekwe urged community members to safeguard and maintain the facilities, while offering prayers for greater accomplishments in Adighije’s public service career.

Speaking shortly before commissioning the renovated classroom block, Adighije attributed the successful execution of the projects to God’s grace and the productive partnership between the community and government institutions.

She assured the people that her intervention in the school would not end with the renovation, announcing plans to undertake solar electrification of the classroom block as the next phase of support.

According to her, quality education remains critical to community development and nation-building, stressing that investments in educational infrastructure are investments in the future of young people.

She also pledged to continue collaborating with the leadership of the OCDU to identify and execute additional projects that would improve the living conditions of residents.

The community further applauded the NDPHC boss for her contributions to youth empowerment, employment opportunities and other initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of Olokoro people.

Traditional rulers, women leaders, youth representatives and elders who spoke at the event described Adighije as a role model and a source of inspiration to younger generations, noting that her achievements in engineering, public service and community development have made the clan proud.

In an emotional response during a grand reception held in her honour at the Olokoro Clan Headquarters, Adighije thanked the people for their overwhelming support and goodwill.

She reaffirmed her commitment to serving humanity and promoting the development of Olokoro, assuring residents that she would continue to contribute her quota to the progress of the community whenever the opportunity arises.

Her father, Senator Chris Adighije, also expressed gratitude to the people of Olokoro for the honour accorded his family and pledged continued support for initiatives that would advance the development of the clan.

The event featured cultural performances by students of Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara, and was attended by prominent traditional rulers, community leaders, women groups, youth organisations and other stakeholders from across Olokoro Clan.

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