New online platforms are connecting producers, traders, processors and buyers to improve efficiency and unlock more value across one of Africa's largest livestock industries. The platforms aim to create a more structured supply chain by providing verified information that helps buyers and sellers make better-informed decisions.
Monday, August 3, 2026
Video - Nigeria turns to technology to modernize livestock industry
New online platforms are connecting producers, traders, processors and buyers to improve efficiency and unlock more value across one of Africa's largest livestock industries. The platforms aim to create a more structured supply chain by providing verified information that helps buyers and sellers make better-informed decisions.
Gunmen kidnap at least 52 in overnight raid in northwest Nigeria
Kidnappings have become a major source of income for armed groups in Nigeria, including jihadists in the northeast and criminal gangs known locally as "bandits."
Gunmen kidnapped at least 52 people, including children, in a weekend attack on a village and military base in northwest Nigeria's Zamfara state, local sources told the AFP news agency on Monday.
Kidnappings have become a major source of income for armed groups in Nigeria, including jihadists in the northeast and criminal gangs known locally as "bandits."
Zamfara is one of the hardest hit states in the northwest.
The gunmen on motorcycles swept into Kasuwar Daji village in the Kaura Namoda local government area around midnight on Saturday into Sunday, first attacking a military base on the outskirts of the community, residents told AFP.
The attackers seized rifles from the base and set a military patrol vehicle ablaze before raiding the village, where they abducted dozens of people, residents said.
"Initially, they abducted more than 100 people," before letting some go, ultimately retaining 52, said Shehu Abdullahi, a resident of Kasuwar Daji whose 12-year-old daughter was among those kidnapped.
"The gunmen went from house to house, abducting many people," another resident, Ahmad Usman, told AFP, giving the same toll.
"They abducted two of my sons' wives and they also took away two teenage girls from my family."
No soldiers were suspected to have been kidnapped.
Alhaji Ibrahim Musa told AFP the attackers "overpowered (a) military base stationed here in our community."
"This is not the first time these criminals are attacking our community," he added, noting a recent attack on a police station.
Army spokesman Olaniyi Osoba said troops "successfully" repelled the attack on the military base, in which the gunmen killed a soldier and a policeman and "abducted an unspecified number of residents."
Osoba's statement blamed the attack on "terrorists," a term the Nigerian government uses for a variety of armed groups.
A Zamfara police spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
Bandit gangs operate across swathes of rural northwest and central Nigeria where state presence is weak.
They are known to levy "taxes" on farmers, rustle livestock, raid villages and are implicated in illegal mining operations.
Gunmen kidnapped at least 52 people, including children, in a weekend attack on a village and military base in northwest Nigeria's Zamfara state, local sources told the AFP news agency on Monday.
Kidnappings have become a major source of income for armed groups in Nigeria, including jihadists in the northeast and criminal gangs known locally as "bandits."
Zamfara is one of the hardest hit states in the northwest.
The gunmen on motorcycles swept into Kasuwar Daji village in the Kaura Namoda local government area around midnight on Saturday into Sunday, first attacking a military base on the outskirts of the community, residents told AFP.
The attackers seized rifles from the base and set a military patrol vehicle ablaze before raiding the village, where they abducted dozens of people, residents said.
"Initially, they abducted more than 100 people," before letting some go, ultimately retaining 52, said Shehu Abdullahi, a resident of Kasuwar Daji whose 12-year-old daughter was among those kidnapped.
"The gunmen went from house to house, abducting many people," another resident, Ahmad Usman, told AFP, giving the same toll.
"They abducted two of my sons' wives and they also took away two teenage girls from my family."
No soldiers were suspected to have been kidnapped.
Alhaji Ibrahim Musa told AFP the attackers "overpowered (a) military base stationed here in our community."
"This is not the first time these criminals are attacking our community," he added, noting a recent attack on a police station.
Army spokesman Olaniyi Osoba said troops "successfully" repelled the attack on the military base, in which the gunmen killed a soldier and a policeman and "abducted an unspecified number of residents."
Osoba's statement blamed the attack on "terrorists," a term the Nigerian government uses for a variety of armed groups.
A Zamfara police spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
Bandit gangs operate across swathes of rural northwest and central Nigeria where state presence is weak.
They are known to levy "taxes" on farmers, rustle livestock, raid villages and are implicated in illegal mining operations.
By Gavin Blackburn, EuroNews
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Dangote Refinery resumes petrol loading in naira at N1,215/litre
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has resumed gantry loading of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in naira after a week-long suspension, ending uncertainty in the downstream sector over its temporary shift to dollar-denominated sales.
Checks by Vanguard showed that the refinery has fixed its new ex-depot (gantry) price at N1,215 per litre, representing an increase of N140 per litre, or 13.02 per cent, from the previous price of N1,075 per litre.
The increase in the gantry price is directly linked to the sharp rally in global crude oil prices, which has raised the cost of producing refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, heightening concerns over fresh fuel price hikes in Nigeria and other oil-importing countries.
Market data on Wednesday showed that Brent crude, the international benchmark against which Nigeria’s crude is priced, climbed 3.18 per cent to $93.90 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 2.74 per cent to $86.65 per barrel.
The price adjustment also comes at a time when domestic petrol prices have already risen sharply following increases in ex-depot prices by major suppliers, raising fears of another round of increases at filling stations.
The resumption of naira-denominated truck loading is expected to improve product availability after supply disruptions caused by the suspension.
Industry sources confirmed that marketers had been notified of the resumption of gantry operations, with loading set to commence immediately under the revised naira pricing structure.
The development comes barely 24 hours after the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery resumed coastal loading of petrol at a higher price.
Checks showed that the refinery increased its coastal loading price to $1,161.23 per metric tonne, from $1,044.62 per metric tonne, representing an 11.2 per cent increase.
The refinery’s return to naira pricing for truck loading follows several days of uncertainty in the downstream petroleum market after the suspension forced many independent marketers to source products from private depots.
The disruption tightened supply and pushed ex-depot petrol prices in Lagos to as high as N1,275 per litre, compared with Dangote Refinery’s previous gantry price of N1,075 per litre before sales were suspended.
Before halting product loading, Dangote Refinery attributed the suspension to challenges in securing adequate crude oil supplies under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative, prompting its temporary switch to dollar-denominated sales.
The refinery’s decision to restore naira transactions is expected to ease supply constraints in the inland market and improve the nationwide distribution of petroleum products.
Already, petrol prices at depots across Nigeria recorded fresh increases on Wednesday, while diesel prices surged sharply in several locations, signaling renewed cost pressures for fuel marketers and transport operators.
Mid-day depot price data for July 22, 2026 showed that the depot price of petrol, rising across major supply hubs including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar, with some depots raising prices by as much as N87 per litre.
The sharpest increase was recorded at Bulk Strategic Reserve in Lagos, where the ex-depot petrol price jumped by N87 per litre to N1,350 from N1,263.
The increase places the depot among the highest-priced suppliers in the country and could influence retail pump prices if sustained.
Other Lagos depots posted more modest increases. Liquid Bulk, Masters Energy, Matrix and Sigmund all raised petrol prices by between N15 and N17 per litre to N1,280, while TSL did not quote a new price.
Meanwhile, fresh increases in the pump price of petrol, to an average of N1,350 per litre from N1,260 per litre across filling stations in Lagos and its environs have heightened concerns over the rising cost of living, with millions of Nigerians expected to face higher transportation, food and business costs.
Checks by Vanguard showed several retail outlets adjusted their pump prices to between N1,300 per litre and N1,400 per litre following increases in ex-depot prices by depot owners, pushing fuel costs to their highest levels in recent months.
By Udeme Akpan, Vanguard
Checks by Vanguard showed that the refinery has fixed its new ex-depot (gantry) price at N1,215 per litre, representing an increase of N140 per litre, or 13.02 per cent, from the previous price of N1,075 per litre.
The increase in the gantry price is directly linked to the sharp rally in global crude oil prices, which has raised the cost of producing refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, heightening concerns over fresh fuel price hikes in Nigeria and other oil-importing countries.
Market data on Wednesday showed that Brent crude, the international benchmark against which Nigeria’s crude is priced, climbed 3.18 per cent to $93.90 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 2.74 per cent to $86.65 per barrel.
The price adjustment also comes at a time when domestic petrol prices have already risen sharply following increases in ex-depot prices by major suppliers, raising fears of another round of increases at filling stations.
The resumption of naira-denominated truck loading is expected to improve product availability after supply disruptions caused by the suspension.
Industry sources confirmed that marketers had been notified of the resumption of gantry operations, with loading set to commence immediately under the revised naira pricing structure.
The development comes barely 24 hours after the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery resumed coastal loading of petrol at a higher price.
Checks showed that the refinery increased its coastal loading price to $1,161.23 per metric tonne, from $1,044.62 per metric tonne, representing an 11.2 per cent increase.
The refinery’s return to naira pricing for truck loading follows several days of uncertainty in the downstream petroleum market after the suspension forced many independent marketers to source products from private depots.
The disruption tightened supply and pushed ex-depot petrol prices in Lagos to as high as N1,275 per litre, compared with Dangote Refinery’s previous gantry price of N1,075 per litre before sales were suspended.
Before halting product loading, Dangote Refinery attributed the suspension to challenges in securing adequate crude oil supplies under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative, prompting its temporary switch to dollar-denominated sales.
The refinery’s decision to restore naira transactions is expected to ease supply constraints in the inland market and improve the nationwide distribution of petroleum products.
Already, petrol prices at depots across Nigeria recorded fresh increases on Wednesday, while diesel prices surged sharply in several locations, signaling renewed cost pressures for fuel marketers and transport operators.
Mid-day depot price data for July 22, 2026 showed that the depot price of petrol, rising across major supply hubs including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar, with some depots raising prices by as much as N87 per litre.
The sharpest increase was recorded at Bulk Strategic Reserve in Lagos, where the ex-depot petrol price jumped by N87 per litre to N1,350 from N1,263.
The increase places the depot among the highest-priced suppliers in the country and could influence retail pump prices if sustained.
Other Lagos depots posted more modest increases. Liquid Bulk, Masters Energy, Matrix and Sigmund all raised petrol prices by between N15 and N17 per litre to N1,280, while TSL did not quote a new price.
Meanwhile, fresh increases in the pump price of petrol, to an average of N1,350 per litre from N1,260 per litre across filling stations in Lagos and its environs have heightened concerns over the rising cost of living, with millions of Nigerians expected to face higher transportation, food and business costs.
Checks by Vanguard showed several retail outlets adjusted their pump prices to between N1,300 per litre and N1,400 per litre following increases in ex-depot prices by depot owners, pushing fuel costs to their highest levels in recent months.
Video - Court visits jungle lab at center of Nigeria's biggest meth bust
A Nigerian court visited a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, the country's largest-ever drug bust, as lawyers and the accused gathered on-site to examine chemicals, equipment, and other evidence cited in the prosecution's case.
Armed attackers kill more than 20 in northwest Nigeria
At least 20 people have been killed in northwest Nigeria after armed gang members attacked villages in Zamfara State, according to the AFP news agency.
“Today, between 3pm [14:00 GMT] and 4pm [15:00 GMT], a large number of bandits have invaded our communities, targeting all the people they meet,” Nasiru Lauwali, the representative of the Sauna district in the local government zone of Talata Mafara, told AFP on Wednesday.
The attacks come amid increasing violence in northwest and central Nigeria, where armed gangs or bandits have raided villages in recent weeks. They are accused of stealing livestock and kidnapping residents for ransom.
Late on Tuesday, at least three suspected bandits were killed by security forces in the country’s Kwara State, according to Nigeria’s The Punch news website. The news service said that security forces managed to rescue a businessman, Tuhkur Sanni.
Kidnappings have become common in Nigeria, as armed groups seek large ransoms from the government and citizens.
The situation has been worsened by a security crisis, partly fuelled by the Boko Haram rebellion in the country’s northeast. In 2024, attackers earned more than $1.6m in ransom payments, according to SBM Intelligence.
Dozens of students and teachers were rescued earlier this month, 56 days after they were kidnapped from three schools in the southwestern state of Oyo.
Eight of the suspected kidnappers were arrested and an unspecified number were killed, according to a statement issued by President Bola Tinubu.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the suspects planned to use the hostages as leverage to pressure the government to release some of their commanders from prison.
“Today, between 3pm [14:00 GMT] and 4pm [15:00 GMT], a large number of bandits have invaded our communities, targeting all the people they meet,” Nasiru Lauwali, the representative of the Sauna district in the local government zone of Talata Mafara, told AFP on Wednesday.
The attacks come amid increasing violence in northwest and central Nigeria, where armed gangs or bandits have raided villages in recent weeks. They are accused of stealing livestock and kidnapping residents for ransom.
Late on Tuesday, at least three suspected bandits were killed by security forces in the country’s Kwara State, according to Nigeria’s The Punch news website. The news service said that security forces managed to rescue a businessman, Tuhkur Sanni.
Kidnappings have become common in Nigeria, as armed groups seek large ransoms from the government and citizens.
The situation has been worsened by a security crisis, partly fuelled by the Boko Haram rebellion in the country’s northeast. In 2024, attackers earned more than $1.6m in ransom payments, according to SBM Intelligence.
Dozens of students and teachers were rescued earlier this month, 56 days after they were kidnapped from three schools in the southwestern state of Oyo.
Eight of the suspected kidnappers were arrested and an unspecified number were killed, according to a statement issued by President Bola Tinubu.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the suspects planned to use the hostages as leverage to pressure the government to release some of their commanders from prison.
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