Yu Dunhai, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, says plans are underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria.

Dunhai spoke during a courtesy visit to Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, according to a statement on Sunday by Segun Tomori, special assistant on media to the minister.

The envoy emphasised the imperative of deeper collaboration between China and Nigeria to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector through the establishment of electric vehicle factories in the country.

Dunhai said Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources, noting that China has always placed the country in a very pivotal position in its foreign policy.

He recalled the meeting between presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping during Tinubu’s visit to China, where both leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”.

“Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing,” he said.

“We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals.”

Dunhai said the embassy has admonished Chinese firms operating in Nigeria to abide by rules and regulations, carry out corporate social responsibility and adhere to environmental and safety standards.

He added that the Chinese authorities have zero tolerance for illegal mining, expressing their readiness to work with the Nigerian government to bring suspected culprits to justice.

In his response, Alake said Nigeria appreciates its long-standing relations with China, acknowledging that most Chinese firms operate within legal and regulatory frameworks.

However, he expressed concern over the actions of a few operators tarnishing China’s image, referencing a recent viral video involving a Chinese national allegedly bribing local security agents.

“We’ve taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals,” the minister said.

“While isolated, such incidents undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms. We need your cooperation in ensuring that such culprits are brought to justice,” the minister said.

Alake underscored the effect of the mining marshals set up to tackle illegal mining, saying the unit has sent the right signal across the sector, heightened awareness of the menace and, in turn, improved regulatory compliance among both local and foreign operators.

‘NIGERIA NOW PRIORITISES LOCAL PROCESSING TO BOOST DEVELOPMENT’

Alake reiterated that Nigeria welcomes serious investors, stressing that investments in the nation’s mining industry are now focused on local value addition.

“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialisation. That must change,” he said.

“We now prioritise local processing to drive Nigeria’s development. For instance, with the abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries,” he said.

The minister urged Dunhai to encourage Chinese investors to commit to full-cycle investments — from extraction to processing — within Nigeria.

He pointed out Nigeria’s large market and the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through electric vehicle production.

The envoy expressed support for Nigeria’s local value-addition policy, stating that one of Jinping’s key priorities is promoting African industrialisation

Suspected gunmen have reportedly killed 15 farmers in an attack on the Waje community, Danko Wasagu LGA of Kebbi state.

The attackers also injured three people during the assault, which took place on Saturday.

Hussaini Bena, the LGA’s chairman, said some other residents were injured in the attack.

“Fifteen farmers lost their lives, and three others were injured during the attack,” he said.

He said a stronger security presence in the area is needed to protect residents and prevent future violence.

Umar Tafida, the deputy governor of the state, representing Nasir Idris, the governor, visited the residence of Bala Danbaba, Waje’s district head, to offer condolences to the affected families.

During the visit, Tafida announced a donation from the state government to support the victims’ families.

He described the contribution as a modest but necessary effort to assist the bereaved families and those injured during the attack.

Danbaba commended the state government for the visit and the “timely and impactful” financial support.

He noted that Danko Wasagu shares boundaries with Niger, Zamfara, and Sokoto states, exposing the area to frequent attacks.

Sunday Umeha, a member of the house of representatives, has dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Umeha, who represents Udi/Ezeagu federal constituency in Enugu state, announced his defection on Saturday during a rally at Ibagwa-Aka in Igboeze South LGA.

The lawmaker said he had already registered with the APC in his ward, citing unresolved crises within the Labour Party at the state and national levels.

“I have resigned from the Labour Party and registered with APC. There’s a lot of division in LP both at the national and state levels, and that’s one of the reasons I left,” Umeha said.

“My decision to join APC is also because of the need to connect to the centre and bring our people closer because there are a lot of advantages in plugging into the centre.”

He added that another rally to formally welcome him into the APC in Ezeagu, his local government area, would be held in the coming days.

Umeha, who claimed to be the first elected official of the APC in Enugu since its formation in 2014, said the ruling party had delivered better dividends to the south-east zone than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Look at the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, 2nd Niger Bridge, and other landmark projects. It is the APC that has brought those developments to Igboland,” he said.

At the rally, Joshua Ogbonna, a businessman and prominent LP member in Igboeze South, also defected to the APC alongside over 1,000 LP members, including the local government and ward executives.

Ugochukwu Agballah, Enugu APC chairman, said the influx of defectors signals a new chapter for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election.

Agballah said the APC is determined to unseat the PDP administration in the state, accusing the ruling party of inflicting “tears, anguish and sorrow” on Enugu residents for 26 years.

He claimed that the PDP governments had imposed high taxes, demolished citizens’ means of livelihood, and grabbed lands, all in the name of building motor parks.

“This is a total collapse of LP’s structure in Igboeze South. Today, I hand over to you the symbol of our party — our flag — and the broom, which is an insignia of our party,” he said.

“With this broom, we are going to sweep in good governance in Enugu state.

“With this broom, we are going to sweep away the reactionary forces that have held our people hostage for 26 years. With this broom, we are going to bring back democracy in Enugu state.

“I want to say it here, and I want to say it loud and clear to all doubting Thomases, that APC Enugu state is poised to take over the government of Enugu come 2027.”

Victor Osimhen scored as Galatasaray defeated Kayserispor 3-0 at the RAMS Park to clinch the Turkish Super Lig title on Sunday.

The crowd favourite scored the opener that led Galatasaray to a 25th league title. It was also the Istanbul club’s third title in a row.

Osimhen set the party in motion with his goal in the 26th minute, rising highest to finish off Gabriel Sera’s cross with a header.

Baris Yilmaz doubled the lead three minutes later as the champions went into the interval with a healthy two-goal lead.

Fernando Muslera, the veteran goalkeeper who will be leaving the club this season after 14 years following the end of his contract, was given the chance to score from the spot, and the Uruguayan netted the penalty goal with a minute left of regular time.

Victory handed Galatasaray an unassailable 89 points on the Super Lig table, eight points ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.

The Super Lig title completed a domestic double for Galatasaray who had won the Turkish Cup, thanks to Osimhen’s brace earlier in the week.

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria defeated Egypt 4-1 on penalties to claim bronze at the U20 African Cup of Nations tournament.

In the match played at the 30 June stadium, the Flying Eagles came from behind to hold Egypt to a 1-1 draw in regulation time before forcing penalties, where they triumphed.

The Flying Eagles stomped on the tournament hosts in the penalty shootout to finish the tournament as the third-best nation, consigning the Junior Pharaohs to defeat in the losers’ final.

Still downcast from their semi-final loss to South Africa, the Nigerian side conceded in the third minute when Osama Omar found the back of the net to give the hosts the lead.

Aliyu Zubairu boys restored parity minutes into the second half, with Bidemi Amole finishing with aplomb when put through on goal by Divine Oliseh.

A frantic end to the match ensued as a defensive mistake allowed Egypt a glorious opportunity, but the Junior Pharaohs could not make it count as Mohamed El Sayed struck the bar while Mohamed Haitham hit the post.

The match went straight into penalties, where Mohamed Atef and Ahmed Kabaka’s efforts were saved while all four of Nigeria’s penalty takers were converted

A Nigerian man simply identified as Ogbonna, who is popularly known as Mourinho, has allegedly k!lled his ex-girlfriend, Chisom Ayogu.

The man killed his ex-girlfriend at his residence in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The deceased, from Amufie community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, had visited Mourinho at his home on New Anglican Road, Nsukka, to inform him about her forthcoming marriage ceremony, Vanguard reports.

However, during the visit, Mourinho allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

When help arrived, Chisom Ayogu was found unconscious. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced de@d on arrival by the attending doctors.

The suspect, Ogbonna, who hails from Igogoro community, also in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, has been arrested by the police for interrogation.

Security operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended a wanted kidnapper at the Hajj camp in Abuja during the screening of pilgrims preparing to depart for Saudi Arabia, a security source confirmed to Daily Trust.

The security source revealed that the suspected kidnapper, identified as Yahaya Zango, was arrested on Sunday.

Zango, who resides in the Paikon-Kore area of Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had reportedly been declared wanted by security agencies over his alleged involvement in multiple kidnapping incidents.

According to the source, Zango was apprehended after he presented his passport as part of a group of Muslim pilgrims from Abuja preparing to embark on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

“It was this afternoon during the screening at the hajj camp in (the) airport when the DSS operatives apprehended him and whisked him away,” the source was quoted as saying.

A senior official from the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, who preferred to remain anonymous, also confirmed the suspect's arrest.

Daily Trust reports that the suspect had been on the run following a security-led manhunt.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has yet to issue an official statement regarding the development.

Nigeria has been grappling with multiple security threats that vary across its regions. In the Northeast, Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have waged a violent insurgency since 2009. This conflict has caused massive loss of lives, displacement of millions, and destruction of infrastructure.

In the Northwest and parts of the North-Central region, armed bandits engage in cattle rustling, armed robbery, and large-scale kidnappings for ransom. They operate from forested and rugged terrain, which makes it difficult for security forces to track and apprehend them.

Kidnapping has become a nationwide problem, affecting not only the North but also the South and Middle Belt. It is used as a lucrative criminal enterprise, targeting students, government officials, businessmen, and ordinary citizens.

In what will come across as a really tragic development, a Nigerian pastor in Eche Ezema community in Ibagwa Aka, the headquarters of Igbo Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been accused of k!lling four siblings.

The children, Kamsiyochukwu Ezema (7), Ezinne Ezema (6), Ujunwa Ezema (5), and Chinedu Ezema (2), were said to have been gruesomely murd£red with a pestle allegedly by one pastor of a sabbath church located in the area.

The suspect is currently in custody at the Divisional Police Station in Ibagwa Aka.

A family source who confirmed the incident to The Sun said the children were alone at home when the pastor allegedly scaled the fence and carried out the horrific act.

“The suspect used a pestle to k!ll them,” the source said.

The deceased's parents, Chinonso Ezema and Loveth Ezema, who were reportedly away when the tragic incident occurred, called for justice.

“We want the police to thoroughly investigate this and ensure the culprit is brought to book,” the father said.

He noted that their compound shares a fence with the church where the suspected pastor works.

A police officer at the Ibagwa Aka Station, who confirmed the report but pleaded anonymity, said the case had been officially recorded and that investigations were ongoing.

“We urge the public to remain calm and allow a full investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” the officer told the publication

The Edo State Police Command has apprehended the recently dethroned traditional ruler, Ohen of Okhoromi, Ovbokhan Igbinovia Kevin, along with four members of his syndicate during a sting operation.

Spokesperson of the command, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, May 18, 2025, said a suspected human skull, arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation.

“The Edo State Command in a sting operation carried out by operatives of the Command Intelligence and Rapid Response Squad alongside the Anti-Kidnapping Squad today 17/05/2025 arrested the recently dethroned Ohen of Okhoromi one Ovbokhan Igbinovia Kelvin 43yrs, Osarodion Omoregie 41yrs, Charles Otasowei 55yrs, Edwin Igbinovia 45yrs and Osagie Igbinovia 44yrs,” the statement read.

"The following exhibits; two (2) AK 47 rifles with breach numbers TH4782 and 6683 respectively, two (2) single barrel locally made shotguns, Three (3) empty AK47 magazines, one (1) OFM magazine, eleven (11) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and a suspected human skull were recovered from the premises of Ovbokhan Igbinovia Kelvin the dethroned Ohen of Okhoromi when search was conducted.

"The investigation is ongoing to recover other arms and ammunition in his possession and arrest his fleeing gang members.

“CP Monday Agbonika, fdc assures the general public that the Command would not be deterred or distracted in its resolve to rid the state of all forms of crimes and criminality

The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has announced that its members are restricted to purchasing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly referred to as fuel or petrol exclusively from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, as the refineries operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) are unable to produce petrol efficiently, instead generating naphtha.

Naija News reports that DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, confirmed this during a conversation with journalists on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

He told The PUNCH that DAPPMAN members are prepared to source petroleum products from the Dangote refinery, which is currently the only effective petrol-producing facility in the nation.

As a result, Adewole emphasised that the marketers will only consider importing the product if local procurement proves impossible.

He also noted that the Dangote refinery is not prepared to supply premium motor spirit to members seeking to purchase in bulk.

Adewole further explained that his members will not approach the Port Harcourt or Warri refineries for petrol, as these facilities are producing naphtha and are not capable of adequately producing the essential petrol.

“The NNPC refineries, both the revamped Port Harcourt and Warri, are not yet optimally producing PMS; they are producing naphtha.

“Our members will not go to them for now.

“But where we can get the product is Dangote refinery and we are willing to work with Dangote refinery, we are willing to buy from Dangote refinery, but if we don’t get the product from Dangote refinery, the PIA allows us to import which is what we’ll go for,” Adewole said.

He asserted that domestic production of PMS should be increased to provide marketers with additional sources for acquiring the product.

He emphasised that the depot owners do not primarily wish to import, as they prefer to purchase locally and sell to Nigerians; however, the available opportunities are constrained.

“In-country production should be ramped up because we need to have more sources of getting the product. It is not the primary will of the depot owners to import; we would rather buy locally and sell to Nigerians, but the opportunities are limited,” he stated.

He contended that the Dangote refinery adopts a selective strategy by engaging with a limited number of marketers, emphasising its preference for gantry supply.

Adewole, representing the depot owners, stated that the association favours bulk purchases of up to 25 metric tonnes.

He highlighted that if the portal were accessible and members could load their vessels, it would facilitate their patronage of the Dangote refinery.

“Dangote refinery, in this context, prefers a selective approach that chooses a few marketers and deals through them, and it prefers the gantry supply. But we are depot owners. We pick in bulk. We are picking 15 – 25 metric tonnes. So, if the portal is open and we are allowed to load our vessels, then it’s a lot easier for us,” he posited.

Adewole stated that his members possess depots throughout Nigeria and are prepared to acquire PMS and diesel from the Dangote refinery, although he expressed uncertainty regarding the refinery’s readiness to supply them.

He mentioned that discussions with Dangote are still in progress, but the members are seeking the most favourable pricing without being disadvantaged.

“We have depots all over the country, spread all over the coastal areas. So, all these depots are ready and willing to pick from Dangote. But is Dangote ready and willing? We’ve had several meetings with Dangote Refinery at the highest level of their management. We’re still talking with them. So, it’s not yet closed, but we want a situation in which we can pick from the refinery at the best possible price without being shortchanged,” he explained.

Adewole spoke further that the aim of DAPPMAN is to ensure it gives customers in all parts of the country quality products at the best price, no matter where the product legitimately comes from.

“Wherever we can source the product, we will get it for them. The PIA allows us to import, and when people ask, ’Why are you importing? Why are you not patronising the local refinery?’ The reality is that we want to patronise the local refinery, but is the local refinery willing to give us the product? If we import cargos at a cheaper rate, we will sell to Nigerians at a cheaper rate,” he stated.

Adewole added that it is DAPPMAN’s pride that the Dangote refinery is up and running, saying the association wants to work with the refinery without losing money.

“It’s our pride that the Dangote refinery is up and running. We want to work with Dangote, but we are also not going to keep losing money because the bottom line is that we are in business,” he submitted.

In November 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced that the Port Harcourt refinery, with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, had resumed operations after being inactive for several years.

The NNPC reported that the refurbished facility is now functioning at 70 per cent of its total refining capacity, utilising modern equipment.

The primary outputs from the refinery are expected to be diesel and Pour Fuel Oil, with daily production capacities of 1.5 million litres and 2.1 million litres, respectively.

Additionally, the refinery will produce 1.4 million litres of Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha) blended into Premium Motor Spirit, along with 900,000 litres of kerosene and 2.1 million litres of low-pour fuel oil. It was also mentioned that approximately 200 trucks of petrol would be distributed to the Nigerian market each day.

NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye addressed allegations from various sources claiming that the Port Harcourt refinery was not generating fuel but was instead blending through Indorama Petrochemicals.

“We are, however, aware of unfounded claims by certain individuals suggesting that the refinery is not producing products. For clarity, the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70 per cent of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90 per cent.

“The refinery is producing the following daily outputs: Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol); Kerosene: 900,000 litres; Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million litres; Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million litres; Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes

“It is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets required specifications. Blending is a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes,” Soneye disclosed in November.

He stated that the NNPC has made significant advancements regarding the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which he indicated would commence operations ‘shortly’ without any prior announcements.

In April, a report from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority revealed that the Port Harcourt refinery has been functioning at less than 40 per cent capacity.

Additionally, it was noted that the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company has been inactive since January 25, 2025, due to safety concerns related to its Crude Distillation Unit Main Heater.

Reports indicated that the new board of the NNPC has dismissed the three Managing Directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.

However, according to The PUNCH, Soneye has not yet responded to inquiries from journalists regarding this matter.