NAIJAFEED

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Oil output in Nigeria rises on improved security, Navy chief says

Nigeria's oil output has risen to between 1.6 million and 1.7 million barrels per day after the government beefed up security to curb crude theft, Chief of Naval Staff Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla said on Tuesday.

Crude production in Nigeria, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), stood at 1.2 million barrels per day in February, Ogalla said. Oil major Shell has exited the country.

"We have stepped up surveillance and enforcement in the oil producing areas," the naval chief said.

"Right now, as we speak, the Nigerian Navy has 12 vessels on the sea to protect oil production and stem oil theft. We have arrested over 16 vessels, so far."

Ogalla said the force has blocked channels for the sale of illegally refined petroleum products.

The country's oil minister Heineken Lokpobiri said in May that Nigeria could produce 6 million barrels of oil per day with adequate investment in its energy sector.

He added that Nigeria and other African oil-producing countries lack the capital to explore and produce their oil and gas.

By Camillus Eboh, Reuters

Nigeria detains tailors who made Russian flags for anti-government protests

Nigeria has detained some tailors for making Russian flags that were waved during anti-government protests this week in northern states, the state secret police said, in a move that underscores concerns about increased Russian activity in western Africa.

The Department of State Services (DSS) also said in a post on X that it had detained some of the tailors' "sponsors", without elaborating. It said an investigation was ongoing. It did not say how many tailors or "sponsors" had been detained.

Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, described the brandishing of a foreign flag during anti-government protests as a "treasonable offence" after he held security talks with President Bola Tinubu on Monday.

"We have identified those (sponsoring them) and we are going to take serious action against that," Musa told reporters, also without elaborating.

Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been protesting since Aug. 1 against Tinubu's painful economic reforms that have seen a partial end to petrol and electricity subsidies, currency devaluation and inflation touching three-decade highs.

The protests have now ebbed after a deadly police crackdown.

In the northern states of Borno, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina, protesters were seen waving hundreds of Russian flags with some calling for a military takeover.

"We are waving the Russian flag because Tinubu's government is not listening to us. Russian presidents always support African nations' development, unlike other nations," Lawal Kodo, a 28-year old protester in Kano, told Reuters on Monday.

RUSSIA 'NOT INVOLVED'

The Russian embassy in Nigeria denied any involvement.

"The Government of the Russian Federation as well as any Russian officials are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way," the embassy said in a statement issued late on Monday.

The protests in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, come amid increased Western concerns over Russian security ties with the region, including countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger where military leaders have seized power in coups.

Security experts said many Nigerian protesters believe that the cost of living crisis is the result of reforms dictated to Tinubu by Western institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

"The Russian flags that appeared during the protests in northern states, and the calls for a military coup, reflect discontent over the government's policies rather than showcasing support for a Russia-backed military government," said Mucahid Durmaz, Senior Analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a global risk intelligence firm.

By Ope Adetayo and Hamza Ibrahim, Reuters

Protesters in Nigeria arrested for waving Russian flag

About 40 people have been arrested in northern Nigeria for waving Russia's national flag during protests against the high cost of living and what they feel is "bad governance".

Amid this crackdown, army chief Christopher Musa warned that it is a "treasonable offence" to fly the flags of foreign countries.

Nigeria has seen six days of nationwide protests, in which at least seven people have died and more than 700 have been arrested.

Demonstrators have been chanting slogans such as "we are hungry", while a minority have been pictured waving Russia's flag and voicing support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to local media, some of these protesters have called on Moscow to "rescue" them.

The subsequent arrests are seen as an attempt to stifle any fledgling support for Russia in Nigeria, a leading oil producer and a key ally of Western powers.

Several countries in the wider region of West Africa - including Nigeria's neighbour, Niger - have pivoted away from the West and towards Russia after recent military coups.

Civilian governments backed by the likes of France and the US had rapidly lost popularity - critics accused them of failing to tackle insecurity, corruption and economic problems.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu came to power in May 2023 after winning fiercely contested elections.

Satisfaction with his leadership has plummeted, with many blaming his policies for the sharp increase in the cost of living.

He scrapped a long-standing state subsidy on fuel in his inauguration speech, causing pump prices to rise. The move also had a knock-on effect on the cost of food and other basic commodities.

Mr Tinubu has urged frustrated Nigerians to be patient, insisting his policies would bear fruit.

He has appealed for an end to the protests and held a meeting with security chiefs on Monday to assess their scale.

Afterwards, army chief Christopher Musa said: "We are warning in clear terms that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria. That is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such."

The Russian embassy in Nigeria has distanced itself from the demonstrations, saying that the flags were the "personal choices" of protesters.

"As always, we emphasise that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of foreign states, including Nigeria," it added.

On Monday, the north-western states of Kaduna and Zamfara saw a massive turnout of demonstrators.

Kaduna police spokesman Mansir Hassan said 39 people were arrested there, including a tailor who was "sewing the foreign flags for the group".

Close to 40 Russian flags were confiscated, as well as a Chinese one, he added.

A curfew has now been imposed in Kaduna - the sixth state to take such action since last week, forcing millions of people to stay at home.

In a statement, Nigeria's secret service said tailors have also been arrested in Kano state for "making Russian flags".

"Some of their sponsors have also been picked. Investigation is ongoing," it said.

Rights group Amnesty International says 13 people have been killed since protests began last week and accused security forces of using excessive force against demonstrators.

Mr Tinubu addressed the nation on Sunday and said his government was committed to addressing the concerns of protesters.

He added that the protests had been hijacked by looters in some areas, and ending the unrest would create room for dialogue.

By Chris Ewokor & Wycliffe Muia, BBC

Authorities in Nigeria warn against calling for coup after protests

While nationwide protests appeared to have ebbed Tuesday, the Nigerian government said it will not tolerate calls for coups after some protesters in northwest Kano and Kaduna states waved Russian flags while marching in the streets Monday.

Nigeria’s defense chiefs told journalists that hoisting the Russian flags amounts to treason.

"We will not relent in pursuing those that have continued to encourage unconstitutional takeover of government or subversion or those ones that are into vandalism or destruction of lives and property," Nigerian Defense Chief General Christopher Musa said.

Thousands in Nigeria took to the streets in Lagos, Abuja and elsewhere last week to denounce President Bola Tinubu's economic policies and government. Security officers cracked down hard on protesters, using tear gas and live ammunition. Amnesty International says at least 13 protesters were killed nationwide.

On Monday, hundreds of protesters marched in northern Kaduna and Kano states, waving Russian flags and calling for Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to their aid. Nigeria's national police said nearly 900 protesters were arrested, including 30 who were carrying Russian flags.

Security analyst Kabiru Adamu criticized the military's interpretation of the protesters' intentions.

"There [are] instances where Nigerians do wave the flags of other countries,” he said. “So, one is a bit surprised with this interpretation. We're in a democratic setting, and the role of security and defense organizations does not go beyond law enforcement or the implementation of security policies. They do not have in any way the role of interpreting or making judicial pronouncements."

The Russian Embassy in Abuja on Monday distanced itself from protesters using the Russian flag and pledged Moscow's support for Nigeria's democracy. But Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa and forming security alliances, especially in the coup-ridden Sahel states.

Adamu, managing director of Beacon Security and Intelligence, said the acts of the protesters might be inspired by a growing resentment for Western influence in the region.

"The policies that are being implemented by the Bola Tinubu government have the backing of Western countries, especially the institutions of [the International Monetary Fund] and World Bank,” he said.

“So, when people in an organic manner endear themselves to Russia, it is perhaps an indication that they're not happy with the policies that were supported by those countries and Russia perhaps may be a better partner or ally."

Western nations, including the United States, have said Russia's influence in Africa could set back democratic norms.

But political affairs analyst Ahmed Buhari said good governance from local authorities is all that is needed.

"These people are not oblivious of the fact that there's a current wave across the Sahel,” he said. “They listen to the news. They can clearly see that Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso [have] presented very young leaders who are coming up with very strong policies that seemingly look like they're going to benefit the people.

“And what I expect from the government of the day is to prove to the people that they're better friends to the people than any foreign ally at a time like this," he said.

By Timothy Obiezu, VOA

Protests in Nigeria fizzle out after deadly police crackdown

Monday, August 5, 2024

Artist in Nigeria transforms e-waste into art

E-waste is a growing problem, and finding uses for redundant electronics has been on the minds of sustainability experts for years. However, in Nigeria, an artist is transforming e-waste into unique art pieces.

CGTN

Video - Nigerians turning waste to wealth