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Reps to intervene in face-off btw PENGASSAN, Dangote refinery

The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to intervene in the recent face-off between members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery, which had disrupted petroleum product distribution nationwide.

The resolution of the House followed the consideration and adoption of a motion of urgent public importance co-sponsored by Kano and Sokoto lawmakers, Alhassan Doguwa and Abdussamad Dasuki, respectively, at Tuesday’s plenary.

Titled: ‘Need to protect private investment from adversarial unionism’, the lawmakers drew the attention of their colleagues to the significance of the Dangote Refinery, describing it as the largest private petroleum refinery in Africa.

The face-off between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery led to an industrial action which commenced on 29 September 2025, disrupting the operations at the $20 billion refinery.

It also led to a disruption in Nigeria’s crude oil production, with a reported daily loss of approximately 200,000 barrels over three days.

The disruption worsened the petroleum supply situation across the country, resulting in scarcity and long queues at filling stations in several states, resulting in severe hardship for millions of Nigerians.

Speaking on the motion, Doguwa, who represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Kano State, stressed the need to protect the Dangote Refinery given its strategic significance to the nation’s economy.

He said, ‘The House is aware that the Dangote Refinery is a strategic private investment of immense national importance, with the potential to guarantee energy security, reduce import dependency, generate employment, and conserve foreign exchange.

‘We are aware that the Dangote Refinery operates within a Free Trade Zone, and therefore falls under the regulatory framework of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, particularly Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act which clearly states that ‘Employment in the free zone shall be governed by rules and regulations made by the Authority and not subject to the provisions of any enactments relating to employment matters’.

‘The House is concerned that actions by labour unions that disregard the legal protections conferred on Free Zones under the NEPZA Act not only constitute a breach of law but also create a hostile investment environment that may deter future local and foreign investors;

‘We are worried that if private investments of strategic national importance are continually subjected to unlawful disruptions by adversarial unionism, Nigeria risks not only the failure of key economic assets but also the erosion of investor confidence necessary for national growth and development’.

In his contribution, the member representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency, Ahmad Jaha, urged the House to tread carefully, adding that the call for a probe as prayed by the motion was ill-timed.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged its leadership to broker peace between the two parties in the interest of the nation.

It also urged the Federal Ministries of Labour and Employment, Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as Justice, to ‘Jointly develop and implement a national framework or set of policies to safeguard private investments of strategic national importance from adversarial and unlawful union actions’.

It further charged the Federal Ministry of Justice and NEPZA to ensure full enforcement and compliance with the provisions of Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act in all relevant Free Zone operations.

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Unmet demands: Resident doctors begin indefinite strike November 1

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, says it will begin an indefinite nationwide strike starting November 1, 2025.

This was contained in a statement released by NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, on Sunday.

The statement noted that the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.

The decision was taken after a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, NEC, on Saturday.

“The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of this action.

“Today, after a 5-hour Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council Meeting, the members of NEC have issued out new marching orders to us once again.

“The NEC has unanimously directed us to declare a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action to commence on Friday 31st October 2025 at 11:59 pm,” the statement said.

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Police arrest four over alleged murder of man lured by girlfriend in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested four suspects, including a woman, over the gruesome killing of a young man in what investigators described as a case of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and robbery.

In a statement on Saturday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufa’i, said the incident occurred on October 4, 2025, in Gidan Kacha, Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to the police, the victim, identified as Ali Salisu from Darnawa village, had travelled to Gidan Kacha to visit his girlfriend, Rukayya Amadu. Unknown to him, Rukayya had allegedly conspired with another boyfriend, Hamisu Ibrahim, to lure him into a deadly trap.

Police investigations revealed that Rukayya and Hamisu led the unsuspecting victim to Dabagi bush, where Hamisu allegedly ambushed and strangled him with a rope before stealing his red Kasea motorcycle.

Further investigations showed that the stolen motorcycle was later taken to Sokoto, where Lawali Abdullahi and Ibrahim Abdullahi allegedly received it without confirming its ownership.

“All four suspects have been arrested and are in custody. They will face charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, armed robbery, and receiving stolen property,” DSP Rufa’i said.

The Commissioner of Police commended the swift action of the investigative team and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

“This tragic case highlights the importance of vigilance and personal security awareness,” the statement read.

The Command also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly.

Police encouraged residents to share information anonymously through official channels, assuring the public of continued efforts to maintain peace and security through proactive policing and community partnership.

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Police arrest two suspects fleeing robbery scene in Niger

Police in Niger State have arrested two fleeing robbery suspects, Aliyu Salihu, 25, and Jibrin Ndako, 22, both from Barkin-Saleh, Minna, the state capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement, said the suspects were apprehended on October 22, 2025, at about 6:45 pm in the Tungan-Shanu area of Maje, while attempting to escape to Kogi State.

According to the police spokesperson, “During investigation, it was revealed that the two suspects, armed with cutlasses, had robbed a student in his lodge in Bida of the motorcycle, four handsets and a sum of forty thousand naira on same date at about 2:30 am.

“The suspects confessed to the crime and said that they were escaping to Kogi State before the arrest.”

He also explained that exhibits recovered from the suspects include the motorcycle, four handsets, two ATM cards, and N7,000 remaining from the loot.

The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation.