News
Nigerians groan over effects of 7.5% VAT on petrol prices

Nigerians have begun to lament the effects of the introduction of a 7.5 per cent Value-Added Tax on the price of premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol.
This comes barely a month after President Bola Tinubu removed the subsidy on petrol during his inaugural speech on May 29, raising the price of PMS from N188 to about N580 in different states of the federation.
Recall that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, announced that the Finance Act 2020 raised the previous 5 per cent VAT of the country to 7.5 per cent on commodities including automobile gas oil and it was implemented on February 20, 2020.
But the VAT-exempt items include honey, bread, cereals, cooking oils, culinary herbs, fish, flour, starch, fruits, meat, poultry, milk, nuts, pulses, roots, salt, vegetables, water, sanitary pads, tampons, tertiary, secondary, primary and nursery tuition.
While other commodities have been VAT-compliant, PMS was not until recently because it was being subsidised by the Federal Government.
However, the new development has hit Nigerians hard, as many have called for an utmost review of it, especially because of the recent removal of fuel subsidies.
See reactions below:
A user, Ingawa said, “That means for every litre of AGO you will buy, you have to pay 7.5% Consumer Tax (VAT) of the Pump Price. For example; If 1 litre of AGO is N650 at the filling station, then you have to pay an additional N48.75 being payment for 7.5% VAT. The total price per litre will be N698.75 per litre.”
Another user, Angry Non-Nigerian, said, “When Tinubu said ‘widen the tax net, you people thought he was joking. The only thing that man knows is tax, tax and tax. As Lagosians.”
One Oyo said, “The Citizens will be the main IGR for this government. There is no single move to cut the cost of government from the Senate to the House to other departments. They went to education first by trying to add tuition fees, now 7.5% VAT on PMS. Everything directly to the common man.”
Akwa Ibom 1st son opined, “So after the removal of subsidy and the price of fuel jumped to 530, they’ve now decided to add 7.5%. VAT on AGO. In all of these, what are the politicians losing, and what are they sacrificing?”
“7.5% VAT on diesel after subsidy on petrol was removed? They will show you people shege banza pro max air 2. The government is after our lives bro!.
“Even those that were shouting ‘Akanbi’ will not be left out. They might even end up being the most affected. The evil will go round. I swear!
“Good governance is not attained by wishful thoughts, things don’t work that way. Now, Tinubu is going for a check-up after ruining the economy with senseless policies.
“His supporters have been crying since last week because the pressure is going around. We must all learn a lesson,” Madu Obi wrote.
News
MEDIC Seeks LASG Interventions Over N44m Charity Assets Seized by SOL Beach Management
founded in 2011, MEDIC is recognised globally for its work in tree planting, recycling, and ocean conservation efforts.

The Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), a registered non-governmental organization is calling on the Lagos State Government to help recover its charitable property -a 20-foot recycling container at Elegushi Beach, allegedly seized by Box Mall/SOL Beach management.
In a statement, Ms Doyinsola Ogunye, Founder of MEDIC, lamented that the interventions of the state government including relevant environmental bodies, and law enforcement agencies have become necessary as all efforts to remove the container valued at ₦44,046,500 (as of September 2024) to a new site at Akodo Ise, Ibeju-Lekki, failed.
This includes beautification trees planted by MEDIC at the front of the beach.
According to Ms Ogunye, tensions began in 2024 when the landlord entered a new partnership with SOL Beach by Box Mall without prior notice to relocate its equipment or inform its donors.
The organization stated that despite efforts to cooperate with the new management, conflict arose in early 2025 after Box Mall allegedly demanded that MEDIC remove its 20-foot recycling container — donated by the Nigerian Bottling Company — within three days or risk it being dismantled.
MEDIC’s Board of Trustees subsequently resolved to relocate all assets to a new site at Ibeju-Lekki.
On 31 March 2025, the organisation formally notified Box Mall in writing, requesting supervised access to retrieve its assets.
However, Ohibaba.com learned that the management of Sol Beach By Box, in a letter of acknowledgement dated April 4, 2025, was demanding for rental payments over alleged evacuation delays by MEDIC.
MEDIC, however countered , and said ” There were never agreed timelines for us to remove our assets from the Premises. You have however detained our assets for your personal and business use since you took over possession of the Premises and have refused us access and entry to the Premises to remove our assets.
Sol Beach management, however insisted: ” It is important to note that all previously agreed timelines for the removal of these assets have now expired, yet no action has been taken.
As a result, we must now implement a daily space rental charge of N150,000, effective April 14, 2025, for any assets that remain on-site beyond this date.
To prevent the removal or scrapping of these assets by Sol Beach, we strongly urge you to fulfill your commitment to their removal.”
Meanwhile, founded in 2011, MEDIC is recognised globally for its work in tree planting, recycling, and ocean conservation efforts.
Through its flagship project, The Kids Beach Garden, established in 2015, MEDIC has educated thousands of children, empowered women and youth through green jobs, and implemented tree adoption and coastal restoration programs supported by local and international partners.
News
Kogi govt demolishes bandits’ camps, arrests injured two bandits
In a major operation, the combined security forces, led by the State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd), demolished and set ablaze bandits’ camps and hideouts in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas.

The Kogi State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Ododo, has intensified its crackdown on banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
In a major operation, the combined security forces, led by the State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd), demolished and set ablaze bandits’ camps and hideouts in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas.
Speaking to journalists at the location on Thursday, Omodara said two wounded bandits and their fake doctors were apprehended in a settlement in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu LGA.
Omodara said acting on intelligence information, the security agencies, arrested two wounded bandits who were receiving treatment from local doctors in the settlements.

•State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd).
The doctors, who were treating the bandits, were also apprehended.
According to Omodara, the bandits had sustained gunshot injuries in a previous encounter with security forces.
Following the arrest, Governor Ododo directed that the bandits’ camps and settlements be wiped out.
Acting on the governor’s directive, the combined security forces demolished the camps, including a makeshift clinic, and destroyed the bandits’ farmland and farm produce”.
Omodara emphasised that the security agencies have saturated the state, making it difficult for bandits to hide.
He warned that anyone caught perpetrating, abetting, or collaborating with criminals would be dealt with, regardless of their status or identity.
“We received intelligence that two bandits were receiving treatment in a settlement in Aherin-Bunu community in Kabba-Bunu LGA.
“We swiftly deployed security personnel and arrested the two wounded bandits.
The Governor directed that any house used for treating bandits should be demolished.
We’re arresting fake doctors treating them and warning that anyone perpetrating, abetting, or collaborating with criminals will be dealt with, regardless of their status.
“We will not accept that and we are not going to allow it,” Omodara said.
Omodara stressed that the operation is part of the Kogi State Government’s ongoing onslaught against banditry and other criminal activities, which is yielding unprecedented results.
“Gov. Ahmed Ododo reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the state,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the combined security forces, led by Omodara, demolished and torched the bandits’ camps, farmlands, and produce in the major crackdown operation on Thursday.
News
NMA: Kanu fit to Stand Terrorism Trial

A medical panel appointed by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has concluded that Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is medically fit to stand trial on terrorism-related charges.
The panel’s findings were submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday by the prosecution team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adegboyega Awomolo. Portions of the report were read in open court, revealing that the ailments Kanu had complained of were not life-threatening and did not impair his ability to participate in legal proceedings.
The medical panel was constituted by the court following conflicting health reports submitted by Kanu’s personal physician and the Department of State Services (DSS), where he is currently being held. Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, appointed the independent panel to objectively assess Kanu’s health and resolve the dispute.
Following the panel’s submission, Justice Omotosho ruled that the trial will proceed without further delay. He scheduled six consecutive days, beginning October 23, for Kanu to present and conclude his defence.
In a related development, the court granted a request by Kanu’s lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), for a private consultation with his client. The defence team had expressed concerns that their previous discussions were potentially monitored by the DSS, thereby infringing on attorney-client privilege.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the private meeting be held inside the courtroom on October 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with only Kanu and his legal representatives present. The trial will resume the following day.
The court’s rulings mark a significant turn in the high-profile case, which has drawn widespread attention both within and outside Nigeria. Kanu faces multiple charges including terrorism, secession, and incitement, all of which he has denied.
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