Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau, says bandits have taken over 64 communities in his state. 

He added that the latest killings in Bokkos LGA are “sponsored and genocidal”.

The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) reported on April 4 that suspected bandits killed over 10 people, with the death toll later rising to 52.

The attack came seven days after some gunmen attacked the Ruwi community in Bokkos LGA as mourners gathered in the home of a deceased.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Tuesday, Mutfwangblamed unnamed terrorist groups for the carnage, alleging that the attacks were sponsored by yet-to-be-identified individuals.

“I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists,” the governor said.

“The question is, who are the persons behind the organisers of this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help us to unravel.

“We must come to the point where we know the sponsors because it is not just the work of ordinary people. This is being sponsored from somewhere.

“I am sure that in the coming days, the security agencies will work together, not at cross purposes but in unison, to be able to bring out the requisite intelligence that will help us to put this matter behind us.”

‘BANDITS HAVE TAKEN OVER 64 COMMUNITIES’

The Plateau governor, who decried the incessant attacks, said bandits have taken over 64 communities across Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs, displacing villagers in the state.

“If these attacks have been going on for close to 10 years, it tells you that there is a deliberate, conscious attempt to clean out populations and to reopen,” he added.

“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas.

“They have been taken over, renamed, and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy.”

The attacks are the latest in a series of assaults on Plateau, which has, in the past, recorded similar incidents.

On the eve of Christmas in 2023, over 115 persons were confirmed deadfollowing attacks by gunmen on communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs of the state.

On April 18, 2024, gunmen killed at least 12 people in Tilengpat community of Pushit district in Mangu LGA of Plateau.

Days before, gunmen killed at least 10 residents of Mandar Shar and Kopnanle villages under Mangu and Bokkos LGAs.

Several villagers were injured, with the attackers destroying a slew of properties.

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recounted to a federal high court in Abuja how funds belonging to various LGAs in Kogi state were allegedly diverted and laundered through private accounts.

Remigius Egu, the witness, gave the account on Tuesday while testifying in the case against Ali Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, Kogi state governor.

The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside Yakubu Adabenege, Abba Adaudu and Iyada Sadat on an 18-count charge, bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of over N3 billion.

Led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, prosecution counsel, the witness, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, identified documents containing transactions that he said belonged to the second defendant, Adabenege.

According to a statement by the EFCC, “the witness told the court that multiple inflows of large sums of money from several Kogi State LGAs were traced to the account of Korforte Concept Limited on October 4, 2023”.

“These, he said, were as follows: Ogori Magongo LGA: N14,844,640.57; Ibeji LGA: N18,629,944.51; Adavi LGA: N20,887,557.54; Kogi LGA: N17,929.59; Kabba/Bunu LGA: N18,460,569.12; Ajaokuta LGA: N22,764,334.70; Okene LGA: 20,758,710.37; Yagba West LGA: N18,234,063.61; Ofu LGA: N21,368,633.69,” the statement reads.

The witness told the court that all inflows were received on October 4, 2023.

Before the inflows, the witness told the court that the balance in the Korforte Concept Limited account was N7,370 and that on the same day, a transaction of N110 million was made from the account to Adaudu, one of the defendants.

“He further revealed that on October 5, 2018, more funds were funnelled into the same account from additional LGAs that included Igalamela/Odolu LGA: N19,480,651.20; Olamaboro LGA: N19,089,517.01; Dekina LGA: N23,373,201.67; Ibaji LGA: N15,653,631.39; Omala LGA: N16,876,252.03; and Lokoja LGA: N20,591,073.74. He also disclosed that a transfer of N21.9 million to one Musa Omuya was made from the account that same day,” the EFCC statement added.

“Further in his testimony, the witness disclosed that there were more inflows into the account on October 8, 2018, being N17,369,243.52 from Ijumu LGA and N17,471,549.57 from Bassa LGA.

“On October 10, 2018, he said that transactions from the account showed N10 million wired to Musa Omuya and N5.1 million and N5 million, respectively, wired to Adaudu.”

Earlier in the proceedings, the fifth prosecution witness, Oyinkosola Akerele, the managing director of Forza Oil and Gas Limited, testified that the company—which also deals in foreign exchange transactions—received a payment from a customer, Abdul Bashir, for the purchase of US dollars.

Akerele further stated that the procured dollars were transferred to four beneficiaries. Three of them—Fatima Bello, Na’ima Bello, and Zara Bello (all children of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi)—received the funds as payment for their school fees at the American International School (AIS), amounting to $139,000.

Obiora Egwuatu, presiding judge, adjourned the matter till May 5, 19, 20, and 21 for the continuation of the trial.

A 30-year-old Nigerian woman, Cynthia Oguzie, was reportedly killed after an overhead water tank crashed on her when the ceiling of her room caved in.

A short video seen by PUNCH Metro showed the victim lying on her bed motionless though a woman could be heard saying the victim was still alive at the time.

Another clip captured the fallen water tank alongside the wreckage of the structure, while additional photos showed Oguzie’s lifeless body in what appeared to be a hospital.

Oguzie had reportedly moved into the Lekki, Lagos apartment just two months before the incident. 

A Facebook user who identified himself as her brother, Chukwuebuka Nathaniel, shared the incident on his page.

He blamed the tragedy on poor construction, alleging the water stand was substandard.

“Beware of Lekki buildings and their water stands. This is how they sent my sister to her early grave. Thank you, so-called Lekki landlord, and your engineer for doing this type of water stand,” he wrote. 

Nathaniel added, “The landlord said he is not in Nigeria, that it’s the engineer who built all the houses and sent him pictures and videos. This is how the story ended.”

Though the Lagos State Police Command has yet to officially confirm the incident, photos and videos of the tragic scene went viral on social media.

A flier outlining the burial arrangements showed that Oguzie’s funeral service will hold on Friday, April 25.

When contacted by PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, said the incident might have not been brought to the command’s attention.

The incident triggered widespread outrage and grief online, with many Nigerians calling out the developers for alleged negligence and cost-cutting measures at the expense of safety.

“Those engineers who don’t want to go through the mandatory training—most of them are not COREN certified,” commented Facebook user Felix Amehnawon.

“Chai! What a pathetic way to die. May she RIP,” wrote Amaka Duru.

Another user, Benedict Chinonso, stated, “There are specific pipes you should use for areas like this because of the salty water that rusts pipes over time.

“These people cut corners with cheaper materials just to make more profit. I hope someone pays for this so others will learn. This is sad.”

Charles Newton added, “The welder who fabricated that substandard tank stand needs to have been in jail by now.”

Ochuba Collins wrote, “This is why you should engage your engineer during the finishing of your building. Very painful. May she rest in peace.”

Chisom Nwankwo also shared his thoughts, saying, “Landlords sometimes pay for original materials, but the workers end up buying fake ones just to keep the extra money.”

As of Tuesday evening, the state government was yet to react to the incident.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Tuesday awarded the sum of N100m in general damages against Louisville Girls Secondary School, Gwagwalada, for negligence of duty of care which led to the death of a student.

Mr Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim had sued the school for negligence that resulted in the death of his 9-year-old daughter, Kamzie,

In the suit marked CV/1738/18, Ikpeatusim alleged that the school’s failure to provide adequate medical attention after Kamzie who fell ill shortly after her admission and resumption in the school led to her untimely death.

Kamzie, who was admitted as a boarding student in September 2017 became severely ill by October 2 and died a few days later. 

Justice Sylvanus Oriji, while delivering judgment in the suit brought before the court after awarding the N100m cost, ordered a 10 per cent interest on the judgment sum from April 8 until full payment.

He also awarded an additional N300,000 as the cost of the suit.

Justice Oriji while pronouncing the decision of the court, held that the evidence presented showed the school and its agents acted negligently by failing to attend promptly and adequately to Kamzie’s medical needs.

“The claimant established his allegations of negligence against the school.

“There is no amount of money that can bring back the child to life,” he stated.

Justice Oriji however acknowledged the fact that one significant outcome of the case was the improvement of the school’s sickbay following the incident.

He noted that the presence of doctors attending to students twice daily was a commendable development.

While the claimant had asked the court to order the school to name one of its structures in Kamzie’s name in her honour, Justice Oriji noted that the improvement in the school’s sickbay was sufficient enough to know the school is making amends from its mistake.

“The court thinks that the improvement in the sickbay, ensuring doctors are available twice daily, is in honour of Kamzie, as part of reforms recommended by her family.

“The claimant should take solace in the fact that Kamzie has been honoured by the school through these improvements.”

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted three days of moderate to heavy rainfall across six states in the country.

Naija News reports that the affected states are Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, and Ogun, with rainfall expected between Wednesday, April 9, and Friday, April 11, 2025.

In its heavy rainfall forecast bulletin released on Tuesday, NiMet also predicted light to moderate rainfall in Ondo, Lagos, Delta, Imo, Abia, Ekiti, and a few other states. The agency noted that other parts of the country would experience either very light rain or no rain over the next three days.

NiMet also highlighted the possibility of flash floods due to the anticipated moderate to heavy rainfall. The agency further warned that strong winds could accompany the rains and advised the public to avoid driving through surface runoff waters, as they may have strong undercurrents.

Other potential hazards identified by the agency include slippery road surfaces, reduced visibility during rainfall, which could disrupt road traffic, and the threat of strong winds damaging weak structures, trees, and masts. The public was also advised to disconnect electrical appliances before the rains begin, not during.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has issued a stern warning to Nigerians against paying ransom to kidnappers.

He gave the warning on Tuesday when he received over 60 victims recently rescued from captivity in Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna, following sustained military operations.

The victims, who had been held for over a month, include a Deputy Director in the civil service and a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.

The group, comprising 35 males and 29 females and children, was formally handed over to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, during a brief ceremony in Abuja.

Speaking during the event, Ribadu warned that paying ransom to criminals would end up fuelling the criminal enterprise.

“Let me urge families and communities to stop paying ransom to these criminals.

“We have never paid money to secure the release of any victim. Each payment only encourages them to keep going. The more you give, the more they demand,” Ribadu said.

The NSA attributed the successful rescue of the victims to the efforts and resilience of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies. “Let me specially commend our armed forces and security services. Their tireless pursuit of these criminals is the reason we are here today,” he noted.

Ribadu also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for his consistent support of the nation’s security architecture. “Thanks to the commitment of Mr. President, we are making progress daily. However, the release of victims is not the end. We will continue to pursue these perpetrators and ensure they face justice.”

Abubakar echoed the NSA’s sentiments, praising the security forces and calling for increased public cooperation.

“The security agencies, under the coordination of the NSA, have been working round the clock. I thank Nigerians for their trust and for providing vital information that aids our efforts. We ask for continued support, especially through actionable intelligence,” he said.

A total of 11 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party have approached the Supreme Court challenging what powers President Bola Tinubu has to suspend a democratically elected structure of a state.

The suit filed by the governors also challenges the declaration of a state of emergency rule in Rivers State.

While the media previously reported that the suit had been filed before the Supreme Court, the governors suit was actually only filed before the apex court on Tuesday.

This was exclusively confirmed to The PUNCH by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande. 

President Bola Tinubu had on March 18 declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the state deputy governor, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

Following the suspension, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the affairs of Rivers State pending the period of the suspension.

Meanwhile, the legislature at the National Assembly, on their part supported the President’s decision to implement the suspension.

Aggrieved by the suspension meted out to one of its fellow party governors, 11 PDP state governors approached the Supreme Court to challenge the suspension, the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state and the appointment of the sole administrator before the apex court in the country.

The governors, in the suit marked: SC/CV/329/2025, predicated the summon on eight grounds.

The plaintiffs in the suit are – Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa states.

The plaintiffs urged the Supreme Court to determine if the President had the powers to suspend a democratically elected structure of a state.

They also asked the apex court to determine if the way and manner the President pronounced the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State was not in contravention of the 1999 Constitution.

Amongst others, all 11 governors in the suit, filed through their state Attorney Generals, prayed the court to determine the following, “Whether upon a proper construction and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188 and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can lawfully suspend or in any manner whatsoever interfere with the offices of a Governor and the Deputy Governor of any of the component 36 States of the Federation of Nigeria and replace same with his own unelected nominee as a Sole Administrator, under the guise of, or pursuant to, a Proclamation of a State of Emergency in any of the State of the Federation, particularly in any of the Plaintiffs States?

“Whether upon a proper construction and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 4(6), 11(4) & (5), 90, 105 and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can lawfully suspend the House of Assembly of any of the component 36 States of the Federation of Nigeria, under the guise of, or pursuant to, a Proclamation of a State of Emergency in any of such States, particularly in any of the Plaintiffs States?

“Whether the consequent threat by the first Defendant acting on behalf of the President to the States of the Federation, including the Plaintiffs’ States, to the effect that the offices of the Governor and Deputy Governor of the States can be suspended by the President by virtue of a Proclamation of a State of Emergency, is not in contravention of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 4(6), 5(2), 11(2) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and inconsistent with the principles of constitutional federalism?

Meanwhile, the respondents in the suit are to within 14 days after the service of the summons on them, inclusive of the day of such service, cause an appearance to be entered for them.

The suit filed by the opposition governors ends weeks of speculation of what action they would take following reports that they had earlier approached the apex court to challenge the President’s action.

Before Tuesday, seven PDP governors, specifically from Bauchi, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Osun, Plateau and Zamfara states reportedly decided to challenge the President’s action by filing a suit before the Supreme Court.

However, multiple Supreme Court and Ministry of Justice sources told The PUNCH that they were yet to be served with the court papers, following findings by our correspondent.

When our correspondent asked a  state counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Abuja last month if the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had been served with the PDP Governors suit challenging Fubara’s suspension, he replied, “We haven’t seen it.”

The PUNCH on March 31, a week after the suit was reportedly filed at the Supreme Court, was also told by another state counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice that the suit had yet to be served on the Federal Government.

The official, who works with the Attorney General of the Federation, spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

He said, “Here at the Ministry of Justice, we have yet to be served with the governors’ suit that they said they filed before the Supreme Court to challenge Fubara’s suspension. Immediately after we heard about the suit, we prepared our response.

“We have our response ready because for three days we started reading books to prepare but we have yet to be served. We are still waiting.”

Last month, while speaking on the Rivers State situation, Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, who is the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, was also silent on the filing of a suit.

Rather, he harped on the call for the Federal Government to urgently reverse the Rivers emergency rule, reinstate Governor Fubara and set up a panel to reconcile Fubara and the state lawmakers.

A prominent member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has claimed that there was a plot by certain individuals to destabilize Kano State and push the federal government into declaring a state of emergency in the state.

Speaking on Jigsaw, a political program aired on AIT on Tuesday, Galadima alleged that those behind the plot were doing so without the knowledge of President Bola Tinubu.

“On the Kano situation, because unknown to him, and I can beat my chest that he didn’t know, Tinubu didn’t know what happened, what was arranged,” he said.

Galadima further claimed that the scheme involved setting up both the Kano state government and the Emir to create a situation that would justify the declaration of a state of emergency.

“There was a grand design to set up the Kano state government, including the Emir, such that they could declare a state of emergency,” he added.

He also mentioned that the plan included a high-level meeting in Abuja and the intentional absence of a key individual, who was being positioned to become the Emir of Kano.

“There was a meeting in a senior official of government’s house in this Abuja, and the man that was supposed to be appointed Emir was sent to Umrah, and as I speak to you now, he is in Saudi Arabia,” Galadima said.

According to him, the plot was for the Emir to be detained in Abuja upon his arrival, with the military on standby to declare the throne vacant.

“Their thinking is that once the Emir is invited today, he will be detained in Abuja. Once he’s detained, the military will be put on alert and the throne will be declared vacant,” he alleged.

When asked to name the individual in question, Galadima declined to do so. “No, I don’t want to mention names. Go and find out who is in Saudi Arabia out of the princes in Kano. Everybody in Nigeria knows what is happening,” he responded.

This revelation came shortly after Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), withdrew an invitation to Muhammadu Sanusi, the Emir of Kano, to appear at the police force headquarters in Abuja. The police had earlier invited Sanusi for questioning over alleged killings during the recent Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted an order restraining the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd), from appointing sole administrators or their equivalents to oversee the 23 local government areas in the state.

Naija News reports that Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed issued the ruling in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity.

The court, after reviewing the motion ex parte filed on March 28, 2025, granted several reliefs, including an interim injunction preventing Ibas and his agents from making such appointments.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed noted that the applicant’s request for an injunction and other necessary orders was valid, and set April 14, 2025, as the date for the hearing of the substantive matter.

The leadership crisis in Rivers State stems from the expiration of the tenure of elected local government chairmen in June 2023.

These chairmen, originally elected under former Governor Nyesom Wike, had sought an extension of tenure, which was granted by 27 defected state lawmakers loyal to Wike.

When Governor Siminalayi Fubara assumed office, he dissolved the councils and appointed caretaker chairmen. This action sparked a fierce political battle between Fubara’s camp and Wike’s loyalists. The struggle for control over local governments has become a central issue in the state’s political power dynamics.

Despite the ongoing tensions, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) proceeded with local government elections on October 5, 2024.

However, the faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to Wike, led by Tony Okocha, challenged the RSIEC’s actions in court.

This legal battle culminated in a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, which favoured the Wike-backed APC faction.

Following this judgment, Governor Fubara removed the chairmen installed through the now-nullified election and directed the heads of local council administration to assume interim leadership until new elections could be held.

Governor Fubara’s decision was strongly opposed by the APC and the group of defected lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule.

They accused Fubara’s camp of targeting RSIEC officials and attempting to bypass constitutional procedures.

Supporters of Governor Fubara argued that the Sole Administrator was moving to appoint administrators for the local government areas—a move the court has now prevented, maintaining that it would be an unconstitutional act.

The legal battle continues, with the case now adjourned for further hearings on April 14, 2025.

The decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to suspend crude supply to the Dangote and other refineries affected the output of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in March.

A Reuters survey found that OPEC oil output fell in March as Nigeria curbed deliveries to domestic refineries.

In March, supply from Nigeria, Iran, and Venezuela fell by 50,000 bpd each, the survey found.

Nigerian supply was said to have declined “due to reduced deliveries to the Dangote refinery, offsetting higher exports.” Reuters stated that Nigeria is pumping slightly above its OPEC quota. 

In March, OPEC pumped 26.63 million barrels per day, down 110,000 bpd from February’s total, the survey showed, with Nigeria, Iran and Venezuela posting the largest drops of 50,000 bpd each.

 Iranian and Venezuelan supply had dropped on renewed United States attempts to curb the flows.

The PUNCH learnt that NNPC delayed the delivery of seven cargoes of crude oil it allocated to the Dangote refinery last month.

A report by S&P Global said the supply was delayed by the NNPC over the failure of both parties to agree on payment terms.

The report disclosed that the cargoes were to deliver around 245,000 barrels per day in April. This amounts to 7.2 million barrels in 30 days.

“According to trade sources and Nigerian port authorities, NNPC has allocated seven crude oil cargoes to deliver around 245,000 barrels per day to the Dangote site in April but is yet to agree on payment terms,” the report stated.

The PUNCH gathered that the NNPC and Dangote have been embroiled in disputes over payment terms following the seeming termination of the naira-for-crude deal.

Aside from the seeming termination of the naira deal, it was gathered that the credit facilities given to Dangote were withdrawn.

Sources said the refinery is now expected to submit letters of credit before the delivery of crude cargoes.

An NNPC official declined to comment on the matter, saying transactions are not done in the open.

In October 2024, the NNPC began the naira-for-crude deal with the Dangote refinery as part of an initiative to deflate Nigerian fuel prices.

However, according to NNPC figures, the national oil companies delivered roughly 280,000 b/d of crude to Dangote in naira by March 10, falling shy of the 385,000 b/d agreed under the deal, S&P Global said.

As the six-month deal ended yesterday, there are growing concerns that the FG may not renew it, and this has caused a hike in fuel prices after the Dangote refinery announced the suspension of naira fuel sales.

However, in addition to foreign exchange shortages and debt concerns, NNPC is now battling new challenges with instability and pipeline sabotage in Rivers State, clouding its production outlook.

In contrast to government rhetoric, the Dangote executive expressed scepticism over whether a new naira-for-crude deal would go ahead.

“We are not even sure whether it will be renewed,” he said.

Besides challenges for NNPC, he argued that the obligation for Dangote to sell its oil products in naira under the deal had become a drag on its operations.

He said that the refinery was left exposed to price fluctuations by pegging contract prices to dollar-based benchmarks and converting them into naira at the point of sale.

Earlier, it was reported that crude oil grades from Nigeria faced tepid demand in the April trade cycle as ample availability of lower-priced alternatives such as US WTI, Caspian CPC Blend, and other Mediterranean grades enticed European buyers.

The report stated that the trade cycle has since shifted to May, “with as many as 15 April-loading Nigerian cargoes looking for buyers,” according to market participants quoted by Argus Media.

Meanwhile, the African Export–Import Bank, a key investor in oil and gas projects, has earmarked $3bn to finance the purchase of refined products within Africa as part of broader plans to boost refining capacity, a senior executive said.

Africa exports around 80 per cent of its crude oil and 45 per cent of the natural gas it produces, leaving the fast-growing continent heavily reliant on imported refined products, according to the bank and analysts.

According to Reuters, a lack of storage infrastructure and older refineries with relatively small output capacity characterise the energy landscape of sub-Saharan Africa.

In another development, crude prices slipped further on Tuesday as Brent fell to $63.23 per barrel and WTI to $59.82.

Experts said the downward trend of crude oil will impact negatively on the 2025 budget, which benchmarked crude prices at $75 per barrel.

However, it was argued that the crash would result in cheaper fuels at filling stations.