Nigeria came close to meeting its OPEC-regulated crude oil production target in December, averaging 1.48 million barrels per day, just short of the 1.5 million barrels per day quota. The figure however still maintained Nigeria as Africa’s largest producer.
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Nigeria nears crude oil production quota as per OPEC guidelines
Nigeria came close to meeting its OPEC-regulated crude oil production target in December, averaging 1.48 million barrels per day, just short of the 1.5 million barrels per day quota. The figure however still maintained Nigeria as Africa’s largest producer.
Death toll in Nigeria gas tanker explosion rises to 98
The death toll from a gasoline tanker explosion in north-central Nigeria has risen to 98, the country’s emergency response agency said Monday.
The blast happened in the early hours of Saturday near the Suleja area of Niger state after individuals attempted to transfer gasoline from a crashed oil tanker into another truck using a generator.
The fuel transfer sparked the explosion, resulting in the deaths of those transferring the gasoline and bystanders.
Hussaini Isah, the National Emergency Management Agency's head of operation for Niger State, told the Associated Press on Monday that there is a possibility that the death toll could still rise.
“The death toll keeps changing,” he said.
On Sunday, Isah said the blast claimed many victims because a crowd had gathered at the scene, including people taking pictures, bystanders and others attempting to scoop gasoline.
Gasoline prices in Africa’s most populous country have soared after the administration of President Bola Tinubu removed subsidies on the product more than a year ago in an attempt to channel the resources to more developmental purposes. However, the policy has caused untoward hardship.
Scooping gasoline from a fallen tanker is common in Nigeria as some people see it as an opportunity to get free product that they could either use or resell for a profit.
The blast happened in the early hours of Saturday near the Suleja area of Niger state after individuals attempted to transfer gasoline from a crashed oil tanker into another truck using a generator.
The fuel transfer sparked the explosion, resulting in the deaths of those transferring the gasoline and bystanders.
Hussaini Isah, the National Emergency Management Agency's head of operation for Niger State, told the Associated Press on Monday that there is a possibility that the death toll could still rise.
“The death toll keeps changing,” he said.
On Sunday, Isah said the blast claimed many victims because a crowd had gathered at the scene, including people taking pictures, bystanders and others attempting to scoop gasoline.
Gasoline prices in Africa’s most populous country have soared after the administration of President Bola Tinubu removed subsidies on the product more than a year ago in an attempt to channel the resources to more developmental purposes. However, the policy has caused untoward hardship.
Scooping gasoline from a fallen tanker is common in Nigeria as some people see it as an opportunity to get free product that they could either use or resell for a profit.
By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP
Monday, January 20, 2025
Video - Digital soil mapping technique helps Nigeria’s farmers
Many small scale farmers in West Africa and the Sahel region have been struggling with low yields for years due to the poor soil quality on their farms or growing crops in unsuitable areas. However in Nigeria, farmers are now benefiting from digital soil mapping that's helping them maximize harvests and identify best areas to grow different crops.
Nigeria make history, beat New Zealand in Women's U-19 Cricket World Cup
Nigeria’s women’s U-19 cricket team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens, stunned test-playing nation New Zealand by two runs in their debut match at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
The historic game took place on Monday at the Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak.
After their opening match against Samoa was washed out on Saturday, Nigeria’s eager stars finally took to the field. However, the game against New Zealand faced a two-hour delay due to a wet pitch.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first in the reduced 13-over match. Despite an early setback, Nigeria’s captain, Lucky Piety, led the fightback, hitting the team’s first-ever World Cup six. New Zealand responded by taking two quick wickets, leaving Nigeria at 28 for three after the powerplay.
Lilian Ude contributed 19 crucial runs, while Omosigho Eguakun struck a four off the final ball, setting New Zealand a target of 66 runs for the loss of six wickets in 13 overs.
In the second innings, the Junior Yellow Greens showed their mettle with the ball. Peace Usen claimed Nigeria’s first World Cup wicket on the opening ball, running out Kate Irwin before Emma McLeod was dismissed for three.
Eve Wolland and Anika Todd steadied New Zealand’s innings, but their dismissals by Piety and Shola Adekunle reignited Nigeria’s hopes. Ude delivered a near-perfect final over, conceding just six runs and securing a run-out on the last ball, sealing a memorable victory for Nigeria.
Captain Lucky Piety was named Player of the Match for her game-changing performance, scoring 18 runs off 22 balls and taking one wicket for just eight runs in three overs.
The victory places Nigeria second in Group C with three points, trailing leaders South Africa, who defeated Samoa by 10 wickets to claim their second win of the tournament.
Nigeria and South Africa are well-positioned to advance to the Super 6 stage. They will face each other on Wednesday to determine the group’s top spot.
The historic game took place on Monday at the Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak.
After their opening match against Samoa was washed out on Saturday, Nigeria’s eager stars finally took to the field. However, the game against New Zealand faced a two-hour delay due to a wet pitch.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first in the reduced 13-over match. Despite an early setback, Nigeria’s captain, Lucky Piety, led the fightback, hitting the team’s first-ever World Cup six. New Zealand responded by taking two quick wickets, leaving Nigeria at 28 for three after the powerplay.
Lilian Ude contributed 19 crucial runs, while Omosigho Eguakun struck a four off the final ball, setting New Zealand a target of 66 runs for the loss of six wickets in 13 overs.
In the second innings, the Junior Yellow Greens showed their mettle with the ball. Peace Usen claimed Nigeria’s first World Cup wicket on the opening ball, running out Kate Irwin before Emma McLeod was dismissed for three.
Eve Wolland and Anika Todd steadied New Zealand’s innings, but their dismissals by Piety and Shola Adekunle reignited Nigeria’s hopes. Ude delivered a near-perfect final over, conceding just six runs and securing a run-out on the last ball, sealing a memorable victory for Nigeria.
Captain Lucky Piety was named Player of the Match for her game-changing performance, scoring 18 runs off 22 balls and taking one wicket for just eight runs in three overs.
The victory places Nigeria second in Group C with three points, trailing leaders South Africa, who defeated Samoa by 10 wickets to claim their second win of the tournament.
Nigeria and South Africa are well-positioned to advance to the Super 6 stage. They will face each other on Wednesday to determine the group’s top spot.
By Abiodun Adewale, Punch
New Sect Linked to Human Trafficking Emerges in Nigeria
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has uncovered a sect in Kaduna, northwestern Nigeria, linked to human trafficking and child separation. Known as ACHAD Life Mission International, the group “neither believes in Islam nor Christianity but preaches the restoration of African tradition and support to humanity,” said A.A. Aridegbe, Principal Staff Officer to the NIS Comptroller General, in a statement seen by HumAngle.
The NIS identified Yokana, who resides in Jos, Plateau State, North-central Nigeria, as the sect’s leader. “The sect has been canvassing for members both within and outside Nigeria,” Aridegbe added.
Plateau State has recently been identified as a hotspot for human trafficking, particularly affecting children. Olivia Dazyem, Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, revealed that over 100 trafficking victims were rescued in the past year.
“The insecurity challenge which bedevilled the state for some years now exposed our vulnerabilities to the point that we have more widows and more orphans on our hands,” Dazyem said. “We have internally displaced camps in the state, and the situation has been exploited by people who do not mean well for our state and our children; they came under the guise of offering help. In their ignorance and lack of awareness, some parents unknowingly allow their children to be trafficked. Many times, with the slightest information on an organisation, most parents bring their children to them.”
These gaps are fertile ground for groups like ACHAD Life Mission International to exploit.
On Dec. 2, 2024, the Nigerian Police Force arrested a child-trafficking syndicate led by Dayo Bernard, a pastor with the End Time Army Ministry in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis. The operation resulted in the rescue of five children, aged 2 to 4, who had been abducted from their homes in Kwande, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, Plateau State.
“He [referring to Dayo] went [to Kwande] in the disguise of evangelism, where he told the parents that he had an orphanage and convinced them to release their children to him for sponsorship from nursery schools to higher institutions,” said Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force.
Bernard confessed to abducting and selling 13 other children at varying prices.
Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam, National Coordinator of Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS), a faith-based organisation that has been at the forefront of combating child trafficking in the state, revealed that the children are usually sold for amounts ranging from ₦350,000 to ₦750,000.
In Dec. 2024 alone, the CWEENS rescued 13 trafficked children in Plateau State. The children received shelter and psychological support before reuniting with their families through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Local authorities say efforts to combat human trafficking in Plateau State remain ongoing, but the emergence of groups like ACHAD Life Mission International underscores the persistent challenges faced by authorities and advocacy groups in protecting vulnerable families and children.
The NIS has directed its border formations to “stay vigilant, and report immediately any sign of the sect, and where possible arrest,” Aridegbe added.
By Johnstone Kpilaakaa, HumAngle
The NIS identified Yokana, who resides in Jos, Plateau State, North-central Nigeria, as the sect’s leader. “The sect has been canvassing for members both within and outside Nigeria,” Aridegbe added.
Plateau State has recently been identified as a hotspot for human trafficking, particularly affecting children. Olivia Dazyem, Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, revealed that over 100 trafficking victims were rescued in the past year.
“The insecurity challenge which bedevilled the state for some years now exposed our vulnerabilities to the point that we have more widows and more orphans on our hands,” Dazyem said. “We have internally displaced camps in the state, and the situation has been exploited by people who do not mean well for our state and our children; they came under the guise of offering help. In their ignorance and lack of awareness, some parents unknowingly allow their children to be trafficked. Many times, with the slightest information on an organisation, most parents bring their children to them.”
These gaps are fertile ground for groups like ACHAD Life Mission International to exploit.
On Dec. 2, 2024, the Nigerian Police Force arrested a child-trafficking syndicate led by Dayo Bernard, a pastor with the End Time Army Ministry in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis. The operation resulted in the rescue of five children, aged 2 to 4, who had been abducted from their homes in Kwande, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, Plateau State.
“He [referring to Dayo] went [to Kwande] in the disguise of evangelism, where he told the parents that he had an orphanage and convinced them to release their children to him for sponsorship from nursery schools to higher institutions,” said Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force.
Bernard confessed to abducting and selling 13 other children at varying prices.
Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam, National Coordinator of Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS), a faith-based organisation that has been at the forefront of combating child trafficking in the state, revealed that the children are usually sold for amounts ranging from ₦350,000 to ₦750,000.
In Dec. 2024 alone, the CWEENS rescued 13 trafficked children in Plateau State. The children received shelter and psychological support before reuniting with their families through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Local authorities say efforts to combat human trafficking in Plateau State remain ongoing, but the emergence of groups like ACHAD Life Mission International underscores the persistent challenges faced by authorities and advocacy groups in protecting vulnerable families and children.
The NIS has directed its border formations to “stay vigilant, and report immediately any sign of the sect, and where possible arrest,” Aridegbe added.
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