NSCDC Uncovers Baby Factory in Lagos, Arrests Suspects

The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a baby factory operation, leading to the arrest of suspects and the rescue of victims linked to the network. Authorities say the discovery forms part of ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and other illegal activities in the state. News Central’s Israel Eferobor reports.

Related story: Baby factories continue to thrive in Nigeria

Gunmen abduct 15 passengers on Nigerian waterways

The police have confirmed the abduction of 15 passengers on the Calabar-Oron waterways.

Some gunmen, on Friday, ambushed a ferry travelling from Calabar, Cross River State, to Oron, Akwa Ibom State, and abducted the passengers, the News Agency of Nigeria quoted an unnamed naval officer as saying.

The police spokesperson in Cross River, Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the abduction in a statement to reporters on Monday.

“The command is working in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom Command and the Navy.

“Coordinated search-and-rescue and tactical operations are currently ongoing to ensure the safe recovery of the victims and the swift apprehension of the perpetrators,” Mr Eitokpah, an assistant superintendent of police, said in the statement.

There have been frequent abductions of passengers on Calabar-Oron waterways lately, especially as Nigerians have resorted to travel by water because the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway is dilapidated.

The latest incident occurred seven months after 17 passengers were abducted in September 2025 on the same waterways.

Also, gunmen, in April 2025, abducted 20 passengers who were travelling in a boat from Oron to Calabar.

Abduction for ransom has become a prevalent crime in many Nigerian cities, with just anyone, including students and clerics, as targets.

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Related story: Gunmen kidnap students heading to exams in Nigeria

Nigeria exports 55.39 million barrels as Dangote refinery faces crude supply shortfall

Nigeria exported 55.39 million barrels of crude oil in the first two months of 2026, highlighting a widening imbalance between rising export flows and persistent domestic supply shortages affecting its largest refinery.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that exports totalled 31.31 million barrels in January and 24.08 million barrels in February.

Average daily production stood at 1.46 million barrels in January and 1.31 million barrels in February, while export levels averaged 1.01 million barrels per day and 0.86 million barrels per day, respectively.

Overall production for the two months reached 81.94 million barrels, leaving 26.55 million barrels for local refining. The figures underscore ongoing tensions between export commitments and domestic industrial demand, particularly from the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The $20bn Lekki-based refinery has repeatedly reported insufficient crude supply from domestic producers, forcing it to supplement feedstock with imports from international markets despite Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest oil producer.

The imbalance persists under the naira-for-crude arrangement, which is designed to prioritise local refining but continues to face implementation challenges. Industry stakeholders say a significant portion of crude output is still exported rather than directed to domestic refineries.

Between October 2025 and mid-March 2026, the Dangote refinery reportedly faced a crude shortfall of about 79.53 million barrels. Internal data indicate that the facility requires approximately 19.77 million barrels per month to operate at full capacity, but received far lower volumes during the period.

Monthly deliveries included 4.55 million barrels in October, 6.45 million in November, 4.30 million in December, 5.65 million in January, and 4.66 million in February, with 3.6 million barrels supplied in the first half of March. This translates to a supply performance of about 26.9 per cent against the estimated requirements of 108.74 million barrels.

“The refinery continues to operate below optimal capacity due to inadequate domestic crude supply, despite clear provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act prioritising local demand,” a senior refinery source told Punch.

Fuel pricing has also reflected the strain on supply chains. Petrol prices rose above N1,300 per litre (approximately $0.87 using an estimated exchange rate of 1,500 naira per US dollar), before easing to around N1,250 per litre (about $0.83).

The Dangote refinery has attributed the price volatility to insufficient domestic crude allocations. In a statement, it said it had been receiving “about five cargoes a month from NNPC, far below the 13 cargoes required,” adding that shipments were priced at international market rates despite being paid partly in naira.

It further stated that reliance on imported crude had increased costs because local upstream producers were not meeting their supply obligations under national regulations.


NNPC response highlights supply constraints and pricing pressures

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, however, said it was working to bridge supply gaps through international sourcing.

A senior official noted, “We are leveraging our global crude trading network to source third-party crude at competitive international market prices,” adding that the company remained committed to supporting domestic refining.

The official also pointed to historical crude sales commitments as a factor affecting short-term availability, though insisted that alternative sourcing strategies were being pursued.

Separately, Aliko Dangote confirmed that the refinery received 10 cargoes in March, up from an average of 5 cargoes per month since late 2024. However, this still fell short of operational requirements.

Industry groups, including the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, have called for increased allocation to domestic refineries, arguing that a stable feedstock supply is essential for profitability and energy security.

As Nigeria balances export earnings with domestic industrialisation goals, the widening gap between crude production, exports, and local refining demand continues to draw scrutiny from stakeholders across the energy value chain.

By Segun Adeyemi, Business Insider Africa

Nigerian meat traders face uncertainty as cattle cost more than cars

 

Cattle prices in Lagos State have surged sharply, with traders reporting that the cost of cows has now reached levels higher than some vehicles, intensifying pressure on butchers and consumers in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

The Lagos State Butchers Association says the price of a cow has risen to as much as N2.5 million (about $1,613), compared with around N1.7 million (about $1,097) in 2025. The group attributes the increase to insecurity across livestock routes, higher transport costs, and delays in implementing local ranching projects intended to boost supply.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, the association’s Patron, Alhaji Bamidele Kazeem, said prices have climbed steadily over the past year, with most cattle now selling between N2.3 million and N2.4 million ($1,484 to $1,548).

“There was even a time a cow was priced at N2.5 million in the market,” Kazeem said, describing the situation as increasingly unsustainable for traders.

He added that the cost escalation has pushed meat retailers into financial strain, with many struggling to remain in business amid weakening consumer demand.

Kazeem drew attention to the widening gap between livestock and asset prices, noting that some durable goods have become relatively cheaper.

“The car I bought in 2020 for N2.1 million is now cheaper than the price of a cow,” he said, highlighting the scale of inflation in the livestock market.

He also said that cows priced around N1 million (about $645), once common in the market, have become rare.

“If you see a cow of N1 million now, you will be surprised. What we complained about last year is child’s play compared to the current prices,” he said.

According to him, insecurity affecting cattle movement from northern Nigeria, the country’s main livestock supply region, has reduced availability in southern markets. Rising fuel and diesel prices have further compounded logistics costs, pushing up retail prices in Lagos.

“The supply has reduced because of insecurity in the country and, most recently, the increase in fuel pump price, which has made the cost of transportation skyrocket,” Kazeem said.

He added that planned state-backed livestock initiatives, including feedlot and ranching schemes, have yet to commence, leaving the market heavily dependent on long-distance supply chains.

“The local producers are not meeting demand because the feedlots and ranching programme of the state government have not started yet,” he said.

Kazeem urged authorities to accelerate the Eko Ranching project in Gbodu, Epe, arguing that local production could ease transport pressures, stabilise supply, and help moderate meat prices.

“The gains of the ranch are enormous. It will provide job opportunities for our teeming youths and probably bring down the cost of meat,” he said.

By Segun Adeyemi, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria tightens broadcast rules to curb divisive content ahead of 2027 elections

Nigeria’s broadcast regulator has barred radio and television presenters from airing personal opinions, intimidating guests or broadcasting divisive political content, warning of sanctions ​ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Africa’s largest democracy goes to the ‌polls in January following past election cycles marred by misinformation and sporadic violence.

In a notice issued on Friday, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said it would strictly enforce provisions of the broadcasting code ​that prohibit presenters from passing personal views as fact, denying opposing perspectives ​a fair hearing or airing hateful or inflammatory material capable of inciting ⁠disorder or undermining constitutional authority and national cohesion.

While comparable restrictions on broadcaster conduct ​exist in other democracies during campaigns, critics say enforcement in Nigeria has historically been ​uneven.

Some opposition figures and rights groups criticised the directive, saying it risked shrinking civic space. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has signalled his intention to run in next year’s presidential election, ​said the move amounted to an attempt to "muzzle the media and shrink the space ​for free expression".

The NBC said it had recorded a sustained rise in breaches of the broadcasting ‌code, ⁠particularly involving presenter conduct and the political use of airtime, warning that neutrality violations would be treated as serious offences.

Content containing unsubstantiated allegations, hate speech or material likely to inflame political or communal tensions would attract regulatory sanctions, it said.

Nigeria's broadcast sector ​is dominated by a ​mix of government‑owned ⁠stations and privately held networks owned by domestic business and media entrepreneurs, often with political links, operating under a licensing and ​enforcement system overseen by the NBC.

The Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability ​Project (SERAP) criticised ⁠the regulator's notice.

“The NBC’s notice represents a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression,” said Kolawole Oluwadare, the group’s deputy director.

Amnesty International ⁠Nigeria also ​condemned the move, warning it could pressure journalists ​and media organisations into self‑censorship.

Analysts say enforcement may be difficult as political debate moves online beyond NBC oversight, ​leaving broadcasters more constrained than digital actors.

By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters