Category: Politics

Anambra State reclaims 10 oil wells amid boundary disputes with Delta

Awka, Nigeria (NPA) — March 6, 2026 — The Anambra State Government has announced the recovery of 10 oil wells located around the Anambra River Basin, which had previously been credited to Delta State due to long-standing boundary disputes.

Charles Ofoegbu, Managing Director of the Anambra State Solid Mineral Development Company and Chairman of Anambra State Petroleum Energy Resources Limited, disclosed the development to journalists in Awka on Thursday. He explained that once the Revenue Mobilisation Commission verifies the reclaimed wells, Anambra will begin receiving additional revenue from them. “However, about 10 oil wells located around the Anambra River Basin, belonging to the state but initially seeded to Delta State, have been recovered,” he said.

Ofoegbu noted that Anambra, officially recognised as an oil-producing state in 2025 with an initial output of 3,000 barrels per day, is also working with foreign investors to establish a modular refinery in Ossamala, Ogbaru Local Government Area. “This modular refinery will produce petroleum and diesel to serve Anambra State and its neighbouring states, which will generate huge revenue for the state,” he added.

Beyond oil, the state is expanding its mineral sector, with a kaolin mining site opening in Ukpor, Nnewi South, and plans for a bentonite processing plant in Achalagu, Nteje. Ofoegbu emphasised that these projects, alongside the reclaimed oil wells, will increase Anambra’s share of the 13 per cent oil derivation fund from the federal government and strengthen the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

March 6, 2026
Borno killings: Obi condemns Boko Haram/ISWAP attack, blames poor leadership

Abuja, Nigeria (NPA) — March 6, 2026 — Peter Obi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and presidential aspirant, has condemned Thursday’s attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Ngoshe community in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

The assault, which destroyed a military base and struck an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, left at least nine Nigerian soldiers and several civilians dead, while an unspecified number of people were abducted, according to local reports.

In a statement issued Friday, Obi expressed deep concern over the tragedy: “I watched several videos of this tragedy with deep horror. Once again, we are confronted with the painful reality of the daily suffering that far too many Nigerians are forced to endure. This is unacceptable.”

He questioned the government’s response to ongoing insecurity: “How long will Nigerians continue to bear the consequences of poor leadership and mismanagement? How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken to secure our communities, protect the vulnerable, and dismantle the structures of these insurgents?”

Obi criticised political leaders for prioritising electoral gains over national security, saying: “While Nigerians are slaughtered daily by terrorists, what is more troubling is that amid these killings, our political leaders are preoccupied with selfish schemings on how to steal, grab and run away with the next election cycle, keeping us in insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment.”

Offering condolences to victims, he added: “To the families who have lost loved ones, to the children now displaced, and to the communities living in fear, I stand with you in grief and in resolve. Your pain is Nigeria’s pain. Your safety and dignity must be the priority of any government that claims to serve the people.”

Obi emphasised that Nigeria requires leadership that values human life above all else: “Our nation is stronger than the terror that threatens it. But we cannot remain silent, and we cannot accept inaction. We must act now—for today’s victims, for tomorrow’s children, and for the Nigeria we all deserve.”

March 6, 2026
Azerbaijan warns of retaliation after drone strike blamed on Iran

Baku, Azerbaijan, March 5, 2026 (Agency Report) — Azerbaijan said Thursday it is preparing retaliatory measures after four Iranian drones allegedly crossed its border into the Nakhchivan exclave, injuring four people and striking civilian infrastructure. The incident has heightened fears that the Middle East war could spill further into the Caucasus.

President Ilham Aliyev, addressing his Security Council, condemned the attack as “an unprovoked act of terror and aggression against Azerbaijan.” He ordered the armed forces to prepare a response, warning Tehran: “We are ready to demonstrate our strength against any hostile force — and they should not forget this in Iran.”

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected the accusation, telling local media: “We do not attack our neighbouring countries.” Azerbaijani officials said investigations are underway to identify the drones, noting that one struck the terminal at Nakhchivan International Airport, another landed near a school, a third was shot down by the army, and a fourth damaged civilian infrastructure.

The Foreign Ministry has demanded clarification from Tehran and lodged a formal protest with Iran’s ambassador. Officials warned that any threat to Azerbaijan’s energy infrastructure — a major supplier to Turkey and Europe via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline — could further drive up global oil prices already rattled by the U.S.–Iran war.

Relations between Baku and Tehran have long been strained, with Azerbaijan deepening ties to Turkey and Israel. There is a growing fear that the conflict risks igniting violence between the neighbours, particularly given the presence of nearly 20 million ethnic Azerbaijanis inside Iran, the country’s largest minority group.

March 5, 2026
U.S. assure of energy security amid Iran conflict

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA) — March 5, 2026 — The United States government has sought to calm fears of an energy crisis as military operations with Israel against Iran intensify. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Donald Trump’s administration has positioned the U.S. as the world’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas, ensuring resilience against supply shocks.

Leavitt noted that beyond domestic production, Washington is exploring opportunities to strengthen energy dominance by tapping newly discovered reserves in Venezuela. She added that the U.S. Development Finance Corporation will provide political risk insurance for crude carriers and cargo ships operating in the Gulf, while the U.S. Navy stands ready to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. “Rest assured — President Trump’s entire energy team has been preparing for this, and they are all over it,” she said.

Global oil markets, however, have already reacted sharply to the conflict. Crude prices surged more than 8% in early March, with gas and LNG markets also spiking amid fears of prolonged supply disruptions. Analysts warn that higher energy costs could fuel inflation worldwide, while investors have shifted toward gold and defence stocks as safe havens. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has claimed to have shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil flows, raising concerns of sustained price volatility.

In Nigeria, as the hostilities pushed global crude prices above $90 per barrel, petrol prices rose to ₦824–₦880 per litre, with regional variations based on transport and supply chain costs.

Economic forecasters, including Oxford Economics, project that the war could last weeks or months, keeping energy markets unstable. Morgan Stanley cautioned that inflationary pressures may constrain central banks, limiting their ability to raise interest rates. The longer the conflict and Gulf disruption persist, the more severe the global economic fallout is expected to be.

March 5, 2026
Middle East War: Two coalitions emerge — Israel’s President

LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 5, 2026 — Amid escalating military operations by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, declared on Thursday that the conflict has given rise to two opposing coalitions in the Middle East.

In a video message monitored by our correspondents, Herzog stated: “Two coalitions have emerged in the Middle East. One of terror, with Tehran at its centre. And one of hope, with Muslims, Christians, and Jews living together in peace. This coalition of hope, coexistence, and peace will prevail.”

Israel’s objectives in its current strikes on Iran are twofold: to cripple Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and to weaken or remove the ruling regime. Coordinated closely with the United States, these attacks represent the most direct attempt yet to reshape Iran’s political and military landscape. Targets have included nuclear facilities, missile sites, and command centres, intending to reduce Iran’s capacity to arm regional proxies such as Hezbollah and deter future assaults on Israeli territory.

Beyond military deterrence, analysts suggest Israel’s broader strategic goal is regime change in Tehran. The killing of senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, underscores this ambition. By destabilising Iran’s leadership, Israel hopes to pave the way for a government less hostile to its existence and regional stability. This marks a dramatic escalation from defensive operations toward actively reshaping Iran’s political order.

Iran has responded with avalanches of missiles and drone strikes across countries in the region, inflicting significant damage and deaths in the Gulf.

March 5, 2026
Nigeria Police Force Removes PRO Benjamin Hundeyin Amid Leadership Reshuffle

ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 5, 2026 — The Nigeria Police Force has reportedly removed its Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, following the appointment of Acting Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu.

Hundeyin, who assumed the role barely six months ago, was relieved of his duties as part of an ongoing restructuring ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The official reason for his removal has not been disclosed, though sources suggest it is linked to the broader reorganisation within the force.

A source quoted by The Whistler confirmed the development, stating: “The Force Public Relations Officer has been removed this morning. We don’t know who will take over from him, although we thought he would last longer, considering his expertise. However, when a new IGP is appointed, it is not unusual for some positions to be vacated. Unfortunately, he was affected.”

President Tinubu formally decorated Disu as Acting Inspector General of Police on March 25, 2026, following the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun. During the ceremony, the President charged Disu to restore peace, strengthen security nationwide, and rebuild public trust in the police.Expressing confidence in the new appointee, Tinubu urged him to lead firmly but fairly, uphold professionalism, and prioritise the protection of lives and property. “It’s a daunting challenge. I know you can do it. You have my word, you have my full support,” Tinubu said.

March 5, 2026
FG Abuja–Kaduna highway reconstruction reaches 80% completion

LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 4, 2026 — The Federal Government of Nigeria announced Thursday that rehabilitation works on the Abuja–Kaduna highway have reached 80 per cent completion.

Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Works, confirmed the milestone in a statement, noting that the project is on track for commissioning.

Nwaze credited the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the oversight of Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, for tightening accountability measures and closing loopholes that previously allowed public funds to be misused without tangible results.

“The Abuja–Kaduna Road is now over 80 per cent completed and expected to be ready for commissioning by April,” the statement read. “The progress is visible, and the transformation of Nigeria’s road infrastructure is steady, real, and unstoppable.”

Under Tinubu’s administration, Umahi has supervised several major road projects, including the reconstruction of the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa dual carriageway, the completion of the Suleja–Minna road, the rehabilitation of the Kano–Kongolam highway, the reconstruction of the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu expressway, and the reconstruction of Lagos’ Carter Bridge, amongst others. These works form part of a broader portfolio of more than 2,000 inherited road contracts valued at ₦13 trillion, which the ministry has been restructuring and prioritising.

March 5, 2026
Boko Haram Attacks Military Base in Borno, Killing Soldiers and Civilians

Maiduguri, Nigeria (NPA) — March 5, 2026 — Suspected Boko Haram fighters launched a deadly assault on a Nigerian Army base in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State in the early hours of Wednesday. The attack left several soldiers and civilians dead, with many others abducted.

Eyewitnesses reported that the insurgents, armed with motorcycles and gun trucks, operated for hours.

ASP Nahum Daso, spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, confirmed the incident, noting that while the military repelled the attackers, casualties remain unconfirmed. “An unknown number of civilians were killed, and some survivors were abducted toward the Mandara Mountains,” Daso said.

Local sources indicated that at least nine soldiers were killed, while residents fled to Pulka town for safety. Witnesses added that women were among those abducted during the raid.

Boko Haram, notorious for bombings, kidnappings, and massacres—including the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction—continues to destabilise Nigeria’s northeast despite sustained military offensives.

March 5, 2026
Middle East War: Israel Accuses South Africa of Backing Iran

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (NPA) — March 5, 2026 — The Israeli Foreign Ministry has sharply criticised the South African government for allegedly backing Iran, following Pretoria’s co-chairing of the Hague Group’s March 4, 2026, meeting in The Hague. The gathering, attended by representatives from 40 states, focused on enforcing international law in Palestine.

Israel condemned the landmark diplomatic event — the largest Hague Group meeting since its founding in January 2025 — accusing South Africa of aligning with Iran in its confrontation against Israel and the United States.

In a statement issued on March 4, the Foreign Ministry declared: “South Africa, a close ally of the murderous regime in Tehran, which slaughtered thousands of its own citizens, has just organised another distorted anti-Israel meeting of the Hague Group. These two corrupt regimes, united by their hatred of Israel, recently held a joint naval exercise.”

The statement further mocked the forum’s credibility, adding: “We can expect the outcome of the Hague meeting to be as successful as Iran’s navy, which is probably why Bolivia and Honduras had the sense to leave this forum.”

The meeting’s agenda centred on strengthening coordinated state action to enforce international law in Palestine, discussing measures targeting Israeli settlements and arms transfers, promoting accountability mechanisms through international institutions, and highlighting South Africa’s role as a leading voice in global justice and solidarity with Palestine.

March 5, 2026
INEC presents certificates of return to AMAC chairman, others

Abuja, Nigeria (Agency Report) — March 5, 2026 — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday presented certificates of return to the newly re-elected Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, and his Vice, Mohammed Nadabo.

It also presented the certificates to other winners of the Feb. 21 Area Council elections.

The FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Malam Aminu Idris, while presenting the certificates at the commission’s office, described the exercise as the formal conclusion of a successful and transparent electoral process.

Idris noted that the presentation covered the six area council chairmen and their deputies, as well as 62 councillors who emerged winners across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“I wish, on behalf of the Commission, to congratulate all of you for your success at the polls. I urge you to see your mandates as a call to duty to the people.

“Your election is a testament to the trust imposed on you by the people. I encourage you to embrace your mandate with a sense of duty, working tirelessly to solve the situation of your constituents,” the REC said.

He also expressed gratitude to stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force and various political parties, for their roles in ensuring a conclusive election.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after receiving his certificate, Maikalangu expressed gratitude to God and the electorate, describing the day as the “final bus stop” of the election cycle.

The reelected chairman, who promised to sustain his developmental strides, said his administration would allocate 80 per cent of projects and programmes to rural communities.

“Anytime you talk about local government, you are talking about local people. As usual, I am going to give the rural areas 80 per cent because most of my activities dwell there.

“I want to thank them for giving me their votes, and I will give them back that dividend of democracy,” Maikalangu said.

Addressing the diversity of needs within the council, the chairman explained that infrastructure would be spread based on the peculiarities of each ward, citing Kabusa and Garki as areas requiring specific governmental attention due to their sizes.

He also extended a word of partnership to his political opponents, urging them to join hands with his administration to move the council forward.

“We were not enemies from the beginning. I don’t insult my rivals; we are all political friends. Let them come and join us so that whatever ideas they have, we can move AMAC forward together,” he added.

On his part, the Vice Chairman-elect, Mohammed Nadabo, assured residents of an “open-door policy,” stating that the administration would remain people-oriented.

“In some wards, they may need water; in others, it is education or infrastructure. We understand the peculiarities, and we will operate in tandem with what is available at our disposal so that we do not create a questionable impression in the minds of our citizens,” Nadabo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly elected officials are expected to be sworn in following the expiration of the current tenure. (NAN).

March 5, 2026