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The EFCC officials, acting on a tip-off about some suspected fraudsters residing in an estate in the Lugbe area, invaded their compound and in the process, caused a commotion that woke the 26-year-old, making his heart pound rapidly.
Confused and disoriented, Marcel peeked through his curtains, saw an EFCC van parked outside and heard the law enforcement officials moving into his neighbour’s apartment.
With a sense of urgency, the Imo State indigene picked up the phone he had been using for over two years to scam unsuspecting people and rushed to the restroom.
“My hands were shaking but my brain was working like a clock. An idea came into my head to wrap my phone in a nylon bag and that’s what I quickly did. A voice in my mind told me to hide the phone in the toilet tank, but another voice told me they would find it and I would be busted.
“I decided to dip the phone in the toilet bowl and shove it in the connecting pipe. That phone is what I used for ‘bombing and grinding’ and if EFCC finds it, I’m done,” Marcel confessed to Saturday PUNCH.
In Nigeria, Internet fraudsters, aka Yahoo boys or G-boys, are known to make a living by defrauding people online and offline.
Two of the slogans used by members of this criminal network are “bombing” which means finding a victim online and “grinding” which refers to chatting with a victim. These victims are often called “clients” or “magas.”
Before Marcel could fully comprehend what was happening to his neighbour – whom he claimed to be a G-boy – the door to his room was flung open with a force that sent it slamming against the wall.
Several EFCC officers stormed in, their flashlights sliced through the darkness that permeated Marcel’s room. One of the officers stepped forward, and with a stern expression, he said, “We are EFCC, stay where you are.”
As the young man sat there, frozen in a mixture of fear and bewilderment, the officers began their meticulous search. They rifled through his drawers, upended his mattress, and scattered his belongings across the floor.
“Show me your phone,” one of the officers shouted, his tone brooking no argument. Marcel told our correspondent that he denied having a phone as he had recently lost it.
He said, “I don’t think they believed my lie. One of them quickly pointed at my charger which was still plugged into an electric socket and told me ‘Is that not the charger to your phone? What are you charging with it?’
“As I tried to lie, I felt a slap across my face which made me see stars and planets. I started to cry, begging them that I was not a Yahoo boy and that I was just a shoemaker. I showed them the set of sandals I recently made, and they took it and flung it to a corner of the room. It was then I knew it was over for me.
“They started to rummage through my room, searched my drawers, and threw down all the boxes on top of my wardrobe. My room looked like a tornado had swept through it. Then one of them went into the restroom. From where I was seated, I could see him looking through the toilet tank and checking the toilet bowl but didn’t see my phone. Eventually, they all left my room.”
After an hour, when the EFCC enforcement officers had left, Marcel borrowed a phone from one of his neighbours and called his mother, Bridget, who resided in Lagos.
Bridget, a fervent member of a popular Pentecostal church is aware of her son’s involvement in Internet fraud. She had been functioning as a spiritual adviser who prayed for Marcel’s protection from the authorities.
Marcel added, “My mother was almost weeping on the phone. She thought I had been arrested because she had a dream earlier that month that EFCC arrested me and she warned me. She prays for me and I believe so much in her prayers. I believe it was what saved me from being arrested on that day.
“Most of the G-guys living in our flat and estate were arrested, they even arrested some innocent people. One teenage boy who came to stay temporarily with his aunt was one of those arrested. I’m very sure that if they had seen my phone, I would have been caught because it is my hustle pack.”
‘Nigerian princes’
In the early 2000s, a phrase known as ‘Yahoo boys’ was coined to describe young, financially driven persons who utilised Yahoo.com’s email accounts to execute phishing scams, also known as ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ or ‘419 fraud’ in the Nigerian slogan.
According to Infosecurity Magazine, Internet fraudsters are the original ‘Nigerian Princes,’ who have shifted in recent years to conduct elderly fraud, fake job scams, and romance scams.
Meta clampdown
In its Q1 2024 Adversarial Threat Report on Wednesday, Meta Platforms Incorporated, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, announced that it removed 63,000 accounts associated with the notorious ‘Yahoo boys’ scammers.
The accounts, deleted over the past few weeks, were used for financial sextortion scams and distribution of blackmail scripts.
Meta reported that a smaller network of 2,500 accounts, linked to around 20 individuals, primarily targeted adult men in the United States using fake identities.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH showed that Nigerian Internet fraudsters operate in different ways ranging from fake job scams to business email compromise and transnational fraudulent schemes.
A notable example is 40-year-old Ramon Abbas, also known by his Instagram handle, Ray Hushpuppi, who was sentenced to 135 months in United States federal prison sometime in November 2022.
A prolific international fraudster, Abbas laundered tens of millions of dollars through a series of online scams and flaunted his luxurious, crime-funded lifestyle on social media till his arrest in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in June 2020.
Tainted luxury life
In Nigeria, G-boys are often known to flaunt their luxurious, crime-funded lifestyles on social media. They often show off their luxury cars, posh houses, sultry mistresses, and dainty feasts in expensive hotels, clubs, or resorts.
They are mostly bejewelled from head to toe, adorned in designer clothes, and spend money lavishly with their friends – an activity that is called “balling” within their circles.
Other slang used by Internet fraudsters include ‘gbenusi,’ a Yoruba word that is used to connote celebrating or throwing a big party after a successful deal, ‘sana wole’ which means beginning a party with fireworks, and ‘picker,’ a code-word for someone who helps in opening foreign bank accounts and receive money, then helps them forward such money to Nigeria.
EFCC incessant raids
Earlier this month, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed that several international companies had shut down their Nigerian operations following massive theft of their finances through local wire fraud.
According to a statement by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC chairman noted that in 2022, over $500m was lost due to the activities of Internet fraudsters.
He said, “The alarming statistics continued with Nigerian banks losing over N8bn to electronic transfer fraud in the first nine months of 2022.”
Acting based on intelligence reports of Yahoo boys who lodge in hotels and lavish money at nightclubs, EFCC operatives have been raiding hotels to arrest cybercrime suspects.
In June, EFCC officers, in the early hours of Saturday, raided two hotels and event centres located in the Alagbaka area of Akure, the Ondo State capital, and arrested over 50 suspects including a soon-to-be groom who was celebrating his bachelor’s eve at one of the targeted clubs.
The anti-corruption agency also allegedly seized numerous vehicles, laptops, high-end smart phones, and other items during the operation.
On March 11, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of EFCC also arrested 45 suspected Internet fraudsters in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, following an intelligence report on the activities of an organised cybercrime syndicate network, operating in that axis of the state.
Items recovered from them at the point of arrest included exotic vehicles, sophisticated mobile devices, and laptops.
Similarly, in February this year, EFCC operatives arrested 36 suspected Internet fraudsters in the Gbokoniyin and Yetedo areas of Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In the same month, officials of the anti-graft agency also arrested 14 suspected fraudsters at a ‘Yahoo Academy’ (believed to be a training centre for soon-to-be Internet fraudsters) in Makurdi, Benue State.
Similarly, in July 2021, about 30 suspects were also arrested by EFCC operatives during a raid on the Parktonian Hotel in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
Concealing identities
However, to hide from the eagle eyes of the anti-cybercrime institution, our correspondent gathered that many suspected Yahoo boys have resorted to adopting different tactics to conceal their illegal professional identities.
Some tactics include modifying their public appearances and living a modest lifestyle, a strategy at variance with the stereotypical ways of affluence funded with the proceeds from their fraudulent activities.
When our correspondent reached out to several suspected G-boys, all except a few vehemently declined to speak about their involvement for fear of being hunted down by the EFCC.
Deceitful tactics
During a conversation with a suspected fraudster, identified simply as Olalekan at an eatery in Ibadan, Oyo State, this reporter observed that he looked nothing like the stereotypical image of a Yahoo boy.
The graduate of a public university in Kwara State, who was dressed in a grey flowing robe known as Jalabiya, sported a punk hairstyle and a full-grown beard, while a silver wristwatch adorned his wrist.
A string of prayer beads hung awkwardly from Olalekan’s pocket, and he clutched an Android phone.
“I have to be careful now,” he told our correspondent as he munched on his food. “I was arrested four years ago whilst still in school. I was in my finals but had joined the G-boys because the peer pressure was too much. EFCC officials raided our off-campus hostels one early morning and I was among the G-boys they arrested.
“They seized all our cars, gadgets, and phones and packed all of us to their station. It wasn’t easy there at all. They looked into all of our phones and e-wallets to see something incriminating to link us with cybercrimes.
“They caught me red-handed and I was charged to court and had my photo posted on the EFCC’s Instagram account. They seized my car and laptops and I paid a fine of N800,000.”
After his release, Olalekan said he stayed away from cyber fraud for a while, but according to him, he could not adjust to living as a common citizen.
“Now I dress like a Muslim cleric and use my clean phone when I go out during the day and that protects me from the watch of suspicious security operatives. They all know how we typically look, so I disguise myself so I don’t end up in their net again,” he said.
Fraudulent doctor
In the case of an Ogun State-based suspected Yahoo boy who preferred to be identified as Isaiah, he was introduced to cyber fraud in 2019.
He said, “The street is not smiling; you hustle so your charger doesn’t blow. Most of my neighbours here are not aware of what I do. I hang a lab coat in my car when I go out and I have an ID card to present, so everyone calls me a doctor. But that is a format and only my guys know the update.”
Narrating the ordeal of one of his friends, Isaiah suggested that some compromised security operatives help them recover their seized property but only under the condition of parting with a humongous sum of money.
Isaiah recounted, “One of my close friends, a confirmed G-guy, came in from Kenya in 2022. He rented an apartment here in Ogun State and the house was furnished with N15m. He lived with his sister and grandmother.
“When these EFCC guys came for him, they dried him up of almost N58m, he was reduced to zero. We had to contribute money for him to return to Kenya. He felt insecure because some policemen also raided his house.
“He did a shady deal with them so they didn’t take him to the office and they released him. He returned to Kenya last year and since then we have not heard from him.”
Isaiah further stated that some cybercrime suspects posed as movie producers and set up foundations, and non-governmental organisations that they used as fronts for money laundering.
“When the EFCC asks for the details, they will point to this and that projects in so and so place and tell them that these are where they make their money, but it’s all a format,” he added.
Hiding in plain sight
An Abuja-based cybercrime suspect who gave his name as Charles, in a voice note sent to Saturday PUNCH, narrated how he was arrested by EFCC operatives in 2022.
He said, “I served here in Abuja and rented an apartment at Lugbe. The choice of this location was deliberate because the word on the streets is that the EFCC usually raids the big areas like Maitama, Asokoro, and Katampe, among other areas where flashy G-boys live.
“The day these guys busted me, they seized my car and everything I had, including all my home gadgets. They asked for the receipt of all these things. I can’t lie to you my brother, a total of N21m was taken from me.
“When I was released, my bank account was reduced to zero, including my Bitcoins wallet. But I found a way to liaise with them to get my vehicle back. They have informants. I know who gave them information about my moves and I was able to track him. It was my landlord’s son who is also a Yahoo guy. They’ve nabbed him too.”
Explaining how Internet fraudsters disguise to evade being detected by the EFCC, Charles said some of the fraudulent suspects secured government employment to conceal their criminal identities.
He said, “Some guys hide under the guise of having government jobs, especially the type of work that enables them to wear uniforms. Some are into big business ventures and some pass them off as family businesses.
“We are in a country where the system doesn’t challenge you for the source of the income you use in starting a business. So you can create a business as a front to protect yourself. Some guys also hide under forex trading and they will tell you they are into crypto.
“Some of these guys parading themselves as tech guys are in our community. And I’m not talking about those boys collecting gift cards or into romance scams, I’m referring to the higher levels like hacking mail, spamming, rendering fake services, and fake investments. They will approach you as investors and insurance gurus and from there they swindle you.
“Some pose as content creators to the public. You will also find big men and children from wealthy homes in the circle too, and there are times you will need their help when you get caught because they have connections. There are different updates involved in this game.”
Cryptocurrency fraudsters
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, a Crypto trader, Damilola Afolayan, lamented how cyber fraudsters adopted crypto trading as a disguise for their illicit activities.
He said, “They pose as legitimate traders of crypto coins on social media, claiming to buy Bitcoins and other coins at attractive rates. This deceptive behaviour is meant to present them not as Yahoo boys but as crypto traders.
“While the allure of quick gains through cybercrime may seem enticing, the risks and consequences associated with such activities can have lasting repercussions on individuals and society.
“Instead of falling prey to the temptations of fraudulent schemes, I urge these individuals to consider redirecting their skills and ingenuity towards the world of cryptocurrency.”
Afolayan said cryptocurrency offers a decentralised and transparent financial ecosystem where innovation and creativity are celebrated.
“By leveraging their technical prowess and entrepreneurial spirit in the crypto space, former Internet fraudsters can find a legitimate outlet for their ambitions and aspirations,” he added.
Rites for protection
Our correspondent, while carrying out discrete investigations, also discovered that many Yahoo boys seek solace in personal prayers, and protection rites performed by their parents, girlfriends, wives, or religious clerics, who are well aware of their source of income.
Several sources who confided in our correspondent revealed that while physical associations of Yahoo boys exist, there are also virtual ones, whose parents created groups on WhatsApp.
“In these groups, you find parents of G-Boys who call themselves Iya awon omo ologo, meaning parents of glorious children, and they all come together to seek spiritual assistance, strategise, and organise parties to support their children involved in cybercrimes,” a source told Saturday PUNCH.
Also speaking, Michael Hassan, who was acquainted with several cyber criminals, pointed out that most of these Yahoo guys are either involved in voodoo themselves or have their mothers or wives performing the rituals for them.
He added, “I used to have a friend who has been a G-boy since 2012 and he shuttles between Malaysia and Nigeria. One day in 2017, he came around and I visited him in his family house.
“That day we held a welcome party for him and I handled the cooking for the party. While in the market, his mother called to inform me that they had bought chicken for him and that I should just get pepper and other things.
“At home, he was called into the room by his mother while gisting with us and after a while, I wanted to ask him for the chicken his mother was talking about and to also charge my phone in his room.
“As I approached the room, I just felt the urge to peek through and I saw his mum circling the chicken around his head while he knelt. I was surprised. His mother killed the chicken and brought it to me in the kitchen. They eventually served everyone except me. I made up an excuse not to eat it.”
An economist, Oluwaseun Wusu, told our correspondent that economic hardship and the desire for a fast life pushed many youths into cybercrime.
Wusu said, “The major reason for the increase in fraudulent practices is unemployment. I know a guy who stayed for three or four years without a job and resorted to becoming a Yahoo boy. Again, there is economic hardship.
“For instance, during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, one dollar was N140, but as of 2022, it was N162. Now we have a dollar at N1,520. Additionally, most of our guys don’t want to start small; they want to use the iPhone 14 Promax. Some celebrities are also involved and they use ladies for money laundering.”
Worship centres fingered
Highlighting the influence of religion, Wusu said, “Many Yahoo boys tend to flock to white garment churches, but it should be pointed out that these churches are owned by individuals and are not often officially registered.
“The same applies to these non-uniformed churches and many of them incorporate African traditional rites into their worship. As a member of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, we have strict rules and regulations and these tend to curb the influx of Yahoo boys into our gatherings.”
A member of a white garment church, Sola Omilani, while speaking with Saturday PUNCH, said the claim that G-boys love attending white garment churches is true.
He said, “Many of our clerics perform certain rituals for these guys. Although I think most of these clerics are simply scamming the scammers. I also believe that these clerics merely exploit the desperation of these G-boys and give them fake soaps. These guys inherently believe in voodoo, so they are easily exploited.
“Many of these G-boys perform rituals for protection, yet they still get arrested by the EFCC. Additionally, some G-boys use fetish soaps and flaunt spiritual objects that they believe would protect them from the authorities. I know this because I have friends who are into Internet fraud.”
However, a Lagos-based white garment prophet, Taiwo Lasisi, told our correspondent that the claim that G-boys frequent the church cannot be substantiated.
He said, “There are different people who come to the church and one can’t easily tell who they are. You can’t be going to each member to start asking their occupation. In the church, we will see good and bad people and we embrace all. Our church is not judgemental.
“What usually influences people to join our church is our white garment; the way we sing, and dance, and how we love to be adorned with jewellery. Some people might not be Yahoo boys but with the way they are attired and spend money to fund God’s work, some people would tend to insinuate that they are Yahoo boys.
“We don’t encourage unethical actions, but we welcome people as long as they are our brothers in the faith. We must not alienate people even if they are not clean because they came to meet God for salvation.”
The EFCC spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale in a phone interview with Saturday PUNCH, noted that the strategies deployed by Internet fraudsters are well known to the agency.
“These disguising tactics by Yahoo boys are well known. It is impersonation and identity theft. That is why they are charged in court.
“This is why if you read many of the charges against them in court, you will find, impersonation, identity theft, and obtaining money under pretenses as part of the charges levied against them. Some of them will pose as engineers, but they will be secretly involved in cyber fraud,” Oyewale said.
[Punch]
•They are beneficiaries of subsidy payments and also working against the revival of other refineries so that fuel importation will continue
•Read between the lines and take action
STAKEHOLDERS of the South-South have called on President Bola Tinubu to fish out and penalize the petrol barons operating underground to upset the working of refineries in the country, including the recently established Dangote Refinery.
They said the showdown between Dangote, and the oil industry regulators was a collusion masterminded by the oil industry mafia, urging the President to read between the lines.
Unmask the saboteurs —Ambakaderimo, South-South leader
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Communities’ Development Committee of the Niger Delta, Joseph Ambakaderimo, said: “The breeze is blowing and the rump of the chicken will be exposed”.
“For some of us, the actions taken so far against the Dangote group are deliberate because certainly, the Dangote Refinery came as a disruption, which some vested interests did not see coming.
“It exposes why our refineries have remained comatose, people are feeding fat from the wrong things going there. The government is encouraged to identify and punish those involved in this sabotage of our refineries.”
Tinubu, NASS, govs should stop the mafia —Inwalomhe, JRC
The Executive Director of Justice Research Centre (JRC), Donald Inwalomhe, who spoke in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, said it was obvious that the beneficiaries of the subsidy regime have ganged up to frustrate the Dangote Refinery’s access to crude oil.
“The subsidy billionaires benefitting from subsidy in Nigeria are the mafia within the Nigerian oil industry working against Dangote. They worked for the refineries in Warri and Port Harcourt to collapse so that they would continue to get billions of naira from the subsidy for imported petroleum products.
“They are the ones equally working against the modular refineries that have been completed, they want subsidy to continue, which is why they are denying Dangote crude oil and telling the federal government to continue to import petroleum products.
“That is the challenge we are facing as we speak today. The petroleum industry in the South-South has collapsed, if you go to Warri, the Warri Refinery is like a ghost town since the refinery is no longer functioning. They are like a drug cartel in the petroleum industry, we can call them petroleum barons, who do not want our refineries to work.
“We call on the state governors, all the members of the state Houses of Assembly across Nigeria, and members of the National Assembly, which is the Senate and the House of Representatives to rally around Dangote, and ensure that the Dangote Refinery works. All other modular refineries should be encouraged to start operations.
“Look at Edo state, for instance, we have two modular refineries that are not working, one is in Ologbo built by the Chinese and Edo State government, and another one in Orhionmwon. Both of them are completed but they are not working, if they go into production and add their output to the one coming from Dangote, it will help to solve the issue of importation of petroleum products.
”Our governors should work with President Tinubu to ensure the Dangote Refinery works. The subsidy mafias have destroyed the economy of the South-South, they are making sure that both Warri and Port Harcourt refineries remain dormant.”
This‘s a conspiracy – Gbemre, NDPC
Coordinator of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition, NDPC, Zik Gbemre, in his reaction, said: “This is another conspiracy to fool Nigerians to accept greedy stakeholders’ trumped-up industry challenges to induce continued hikes in fuel prices.”
“The regulators were involved in approvals through the construction to the hurried commissioning. Why are they having issues at the time that Dangote Refinery is putting out products? Remember that this is a refinery the regulators passed as the best in Africa and beyond.
Mr. President should sort out the issue —Jonjon, ex-IYC president
A former president of the Ijaw Youth Congress, IYC, Dr. Onyienfie Jonjon posited that the misunderstanding between Dangote and the regulators was about economic interest.
His words: “Dangote cannot operate without the NNPCL, and NNPCL cannot do without Dangote. The oil cabal does not want Dangote to succeed, and the government still pays subsidies. If Dangote comes full stream, how will the cabal continue to enjoy the subsidy that they are getting?
He suggested that as the Minister of Petroleum, President Tinubu should summon a meeting of NNPCL, and Dangote Refinery to iron out whatever crisis they are having.
”While we do not support monopoly in any guise and form, knowing the impact the Dangote Refinery would have on the Nigeria economy, certain concessions should be made so that we can have a win-win situation for both the investors and Nigerians.
“We urge both parties to put the interest of the country and its people first, and look for amicable ways to resolve this lingering issue.”
More than meets the eye —Idi, NNYM scribe
The Secretary of the Ndokwa National Youth Movement, NNYM, in Delta State, Presley Idi, said, “We find the outburst by the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) chief executive, Adamu Farouk, against the Dangote Refinery, shocking, surprising and uncalled for.”
“While we believe there is more to the outburst than meets the eye, it was shocking to hear and this has certainly created bad waves for Nigeria globally, which is not needed this time.
“We think that the issues of product quality of the Dangote Refinery made by Farouk could have been resolved without coming to the press. There is power tussle behind the scenes, and it is sad because the common men bear the brunt.”
Diversionary tactic —Saviour, COMPPART
A human rights activist in Akwa Ibom State and executive director of COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peace Building, Mr Saviour Akpan, described the friction between Aliko Dangote and the regulators as a diversionary tactic.
Akpan advised Nigerians to do the right thing by asking questions, instead of pointing fingers or buck-passing.
“They deliberately brought their face-off to the public domain to divert our attention so that Nigerians will not ask questions. So they should keep quiet.
”Unfortunately, we run a system that has failed and one of the outcomes of the failed system is what we see today. So, they should stop disturbing our ears. Let everybody do what is right, let us begin to ask questions and speak truth to power.
”Let all of us, including myself, stop buck-passing and finger-pointing. We have had enough of suffering in this country. It is all diversionary tactics on the part of economics and policymakers. There is something that they do not want us to hear or ask questions about”
Explore dialogue —Wills, Ijaw think-tank group
Co-Convener of Embassara Foundation, an Ijaw think-tank for good governance, Iniruo Wills said: “They should robustly explore and enforce the dispute resolution mechanisms embedded in their various contractual agreements and in the law. Was there no proper business plan? Was there no thorough due diligence and documentation, legal and technical? Were there no feedstock commitments locked in way ahead of the plant completion?
”Even promoters of modular refineries know that one of the preliminary requirements to be in place with legal enforceability is feedstock commitment, let alone a mega refinery like Dangote’s.
”Some would go further to make advance off-taker arrangements, though more as a business safeguard than a regulatory requirement. Nigerians are generally perplexed at the ongoing grand comedy.”
FG should probe operators —Akene, ex-commissioner
A former commissioner in Bayelsa State, Surv Furoebi Akene, asserted: “The Nigerian petroleum industry is a big scam. Some of us have raised these issues of high-level insincerity, fraud, oppression, and economic sabotage amongst the Nigerian oil industry players, and consortium in connivance with external forces and agents over the years.”
“The exchange between the Dangote Refinery, the regulators, and their collaborators is not unexpected. They know that the success of Dangote Refinery will expose their intrigues and deliberate efforts to ensure that the government-owned refineries did not work.
“This will stop their lucrative exploit of enriching themselves over the years at the expense of the Nigerian State. If the Federal Government is not culpable, they should probe the activities of the operators of the nation’s refineries, and other related and regulatory agencies for the past decades, and bring those found wanting to book according to the laws of the land.
“Let the blackmail against Dangote Refinery stop, and genuine regulations made for the refinery to operate effectively and efficiently. The actions of these people should be finally curtailed for the industry to work in this country.”
Brickbat good for the oil industry —Oritsetimeyin, stakeholder
A stakeholder in Warri, Delta State, Festus Oritsetimeyin, said: It is good for the oil and gas business sector. We are getting to know hidden things, we are getting to see that people can kill business initiatives that will profit the nation because of personal interest, and greed.”
“In May last year, we read that former president, Muhammadu Buhari, commissioned the refinery, now, we are hearing that the refinery has not been licensed. So the beef is exposing some many hidden deals.”
[Vanguard]
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has denied reselling shipments of crude oil from the United States (US) and Nigeria.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported three sources said the Dangote refinery was reselling due to technical problems at the refiner.
When questioned about the offers and talk circulating in the market regarding the refinery’s operational problems impacting the crude distillation unit, the publication said an executive at Dangote refinery said the unit is operating.
According to the sources, among the grades being offered were cargoes of US West Texas Intermediary (WTI) Midland crude and Nigerian Escravos and Forcados crude.
The plant has been importing several crude cargoes a month, traders said, adding that such resale by refineries is rare but not unknown.
However, in a statement addressing the claim, Anthony Chiejina, chief branding and communication officer, Dangote Group, said the report was incorrect.
“Our attention has been drawn to a misleading report on our crude distillation unit and also that we are offering crude for re-sale,” Chiejina said.
“This is outright falsehood as we are not authorised to sell any crude we buy from Nigeria!
“Also, our CDU is working and in perfect condition.
“We advise that you ignore these false narratives being peddled by those bent on the importation of dirty fuels into the country.”
On June 4, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, said some international oil companies (IOCs) were struggling to supply crude to his refinery.
Speaking on Arise TV on July 15, Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), described the claim as “erroneous” as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has provisions that guide willing buyer-willing seller transactions.
On July 17, the management of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) insisted that IOCs are frustrating its request to purchase crude feedstock for the Dangote refinery.
The next day, Farouk Ahmed, CEO of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), said local refineries, including the Dangote refinery, were producing inferior products compared to the ones imported into the country.
However, on July 20, Dangote refuted claims that petroleum products from his refinery are substandard.
[TheCable]
SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence, a geopolitical research firm, says long-standing issues such as conflicts in food-producing regions, climate change, and pest infestations continue to pose significant challenges to food security in West Africa.
SBM, in its latest report, titled, ‘Unbounded Set: Jollof Index Q2 2024’, analysed factors responsible for surging prices of food items.
The index, which is a case study of Nigeria and Ghana, covers major food items used in making a jollof rice; such as rice, curry, thyme, seasoning, groundnut/vegetable oil, turkey/chicken, beef, pepper, tomatoes, salt, and onions.
The research firm said while Nigeria continues to grapple with very high food inflation rates, Ghana showed marginal improvements.
“In Nigeria, the year-on-year food inflation rate increased from 40.53% in April 2024 to 40.87% in June 2024,” the SBM said.
“The month-on-month rate decreased from 5.75% in March to 0.52% in June. However, despite this monthly slowdown, the overall trend in food prices remains concerning and continues to severely impact household access to food.
“This has led to numerous problems, including a typical increase in acute malnutrition cases.
“In contrast, Ghana has improved its food inflation rates over the same period, with the year-on-year rate decreasing from 26.8% in April 2024 to 24% in June 2024. Despite this downward trend, Ghana still faces significant challenges.”
The research firm further said the national average cost of preparing a pot of jollof rice (in 13 markets) significantly rose from N16,955 in March to N20,274 in June, marking an increase of 19.6 percent.
This surge, the company said, was primarily driven by substantial price hikes in key ingredients — particularly tomatoes and peppers.
“Other essential components such as rice, turkey, beef and vegetable oil maintained their already high prices, further contributing to the overall cost increase,” the SBM said.
“The spike in tomato cost has been attributed to seasonal changes and a severe infestation of Tuta absoluta, a major tomato pest.
“Between March and June, the price of ‘Grade A’ tomatoes skyrocketed from N50,000 to N100,000, with similar price hikes recorded for pepper.”
The report also attributed the surge in the cost of tomatoes to the Eid al-Fitr holiday in April, which disrupted the food supply chain.
According to SBM, Nigerians have shown remarkable adaptability in the face of these challenges.
The intelligence firm said Nigerians were forced to experiment with alternative ingredients such as carrot and cucumber stews to replace the traditional tomato-based recipes.
However, SBM said these efforts have been hindered by a concurrent rise in the prices of alternative food items such as garri and beans.
Highlighting the impact of food inflation across the 13 markets in Nigeria, the research showed that the Onitsha market experienced the highest percentage increase at 50 percent.
“The cost of preparing jollof rice rose from N14,900 in March 2024 to N22,350 in June 2024. This substantial increase in Onitsha, previously one of the more affordable markets, underscores the pervasive nature of food inflation affecting all regions,” the company said.
“Awka also saw a significant increase of 33.5%, with prices rising from N15,600 to N20,825.
“Bauchi experienced a sharp rise, with the cost of preparing jollof rice increasing by 33.0%, from N16,970 to N22,570. Similarly, Dugbe Market in Ibadan saw a 30.2% rise, with prices increasing from N15,620 to N20,330.
“Nyanya Market saw prices increase by 24.9%, rising from N17,500 to N21,850.
“On the other hand, Balogun Market in Lagos recorded the lowest percentage increase at 2.3%, with prices rising from N17,300 to N17,700.”
SBM also said the persistent foreign exchange (FX) restrictions on rice imports, the hike in energy costs as well and the “precautionary food retention” by farmers, were also factors that contributed to the food inflation crisis in Nigeria.
‘COST OF MAKING GHANA JOLLOF DECREASED BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE’
SBM said the cost of preparing a pot of jollof rice across various markets in Ghana from March 2024 to June 2024 fluctuated.
“In March, the price was GHS 408.75. This increased to GHS 439.75 in April and GHS 463.25 in May before experiencing a significant decrease to GHS 322 in June,” the report said.
“The overall trend shows initial inflationary pressures followed by a sharp decline in June. This indicates a significant slowdown in price hikes of most food items across Ghanaian markets relative to May 2024, when prices rose stratospheric.
“The month-on-month analysis reveals a 7.6% increase from March to April, a 5.3% rise from April to May, and a drastic 30.5% decrease from May to June.”
The research firm said the sharp decline in June could be attributed to factors such as improved supply chains, seasonal harvests, or government interventions to reduce food prices as the election approaches.
A lifeless body of a yet-to-be-identified boy has been found hanging on a tree within a school premises in Ibadan. The boy, assumed to be in his mid-twenties, allegedly hung himself on the premises of Alapata Onireke High School, Elewuro, Akobo, Ibadan.
According to a witness, who pleaded anonymity in an interview with Vanguard, someone in the area had already been declared missing about three days ago before the incident.
The witness added that he was at a relaxation spot in the area when someone ran towards him to inform him about the lifeless body hanging on a tree in the school.
As of the time of filing this report, the body of the young boy was still hanging on the tree.
A murder suspect, Kehinde Ganiyu, 50, has disclosed that he killed and used his sick friend’s throat for ritual soap in a bid to seek prosperity.
He added that he visited his sick friend at Odebiyi’s compound, Oba-Oke in the Olorunda local government area of Osun State on Thursday July 18, 2024, and suddenly had the urge to kill him.
Fielding questions from newsmen at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Friday, he said he slaughtered his friend named Emmanuel Collins and removed his throat right on the sick bed.
“I thereafter took it to the shrine where I mixed it with other things and transformed it into a black soap for my clients. I regret my actions as I don’t know what came over me.
“I have not killed anyone before now but I have been preparing the ritual soap (Bisa Bisa) for “yahoo boys” before. The clients usually bring the items, especially, human parts and I charged them N500,000. But I wanted to try this one for myself. that is why I killed my friend but I now regret my action”, he said.
Meanwhile, police spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola said part of the exhibit recovered from the suspect include, four blood-stained knives, two gourds containing black substance, one wooden traditional pot with black soap, two local sponges, a wooden tray (opon ifa) and some local charms.
She said the suspect would appear in court after a thorough investigation.
Similarly, two other suspects were paraded for stealing and illegal possession of firearms. Ajayi Sunday was caught with a stolen bajaj and a locally made short gun while Yinka Adewuyi was nabbed carrying four bags of cement stolen from a site where he was engaged as a tiler.
Opalola added that the suspects, having confessed to the crimes would be arraigned in court in due time.
The Cross River State government has identified 2,000 ghost pensioners on its payroll, as announced in a recent statement from the Government House.
Naija News learnt that these fraudulent entries have been linked to delays in settling unpaid gratuities from 2014 to 2024.
Governor Bassey Otu had previously established a committee tasked with reviewing the payroll of retired civil and public servants to eliminate pension fraud.
On Friday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Otu informed the press about the committee’s discovery of these ghost pensioners.
Although the identities of those involved in the pension fraud have not been disclosed, Nsa Gill, a government representative, stated, “The audit and verification exercise has so far uncovered over 2,000 ghost pensioners, who have consequently been removed from both the State and Local Government Pensions Payrolls.”
Nsa Gill further mentioned that with the verification process nearing completion, the payment of gratuities is scheduled to begin in August 2024.
The committee, led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), is expected to submit its report to the government within a week of its first meeting.
The spokesperson also announced that Governor Bassey Edet Otu has approved ₦10 billion to address the outstanding gratuity payments for retired civil and public servants in the state.
Additionally, the Governor has approved the formation of a committee comprising executives from the State and Local Government Pension Unions, headed by the SSG
Grammy nominated Nigerian musician, Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, has launched barbie dolls designed in her image.
The 22-year-old Mavin princess unveiled the limited-edition custom-made barbie dolls via her social media pages on Thursday, July 25.
Ayra Starr announced that they will be available in Lagos, the United States, the United Kingdom and France. She, however, did not provide a specific release date. The songstress wrote:
“I’m so excited to announce the release of the limited edition Ayra Starr Dolls! The dolls are coming to: Lagos, the US, the UK and France.
“Stay tuned for more details on how you can enter and win. I can’t wait for you to see them and share the joy!”
“I’d rather die than trade movie roles for sex” – Kevin Ikeduba speaks out against industry misconduct
AFOLABI
Popular Nollywood actor and producer Kevin Ikeduba has spoken out against industry misconduct, vowing never to give roles in exchange for sex.
In a recent interview on Hip TV’s “Trending,” Kelvin Ikeduba declared that he would rather die than cast unqualified actors in exchange for sex.
During the interview, Ikeduba expressed his frustration with the widespread unprofessionalism in Nollywood.
He emphasized his commitment to maintaining high standards in his work.
“The movie industry is very big. What works for A, may not work for B, Ikeduba said.
“Kevin that people know, would rather die instead of giving a girl a role for sex because I am very passionate about what I do. So most times, when I meet mediocre people on set, it hurts me. I will never ever do that,” he added.
Nollywood actor, Kelvin Ikeduba, recently had a fan encounter that was nothing short of a spectacle.
A lady, utterly gobsmacked, stumbled upon her favorite celeb hopping into a ride she labeled as public transport.
In the viral clip, the lady on a bike unleashes a scream that could wake the neighborhood as the okada rider speeds past the moving vibrant red vehicle, with Kevin Ikeduba and a bunch of others comfortably seated inside.
She couldn’t fathom why a celebrity of Kelvin Ikeduba’s stature would be spotted in a car that, in her perception, looked akin to public transport.
In a swift retort, Kelvin clarified that the car in question belonged to him and wasn’t a vehicle for public transport. However, the lady remained skeptical, persistently interrogating him.
Nollywood actress Ini Dima-Okojie revealed recently that the fibroids are back, but she will not be undergoing another surgery.
Dima-Okojie was first diagnosed with fibroids in 2017 and underwent surgery in November 2020. Last week she announced that she has again been diagnosed with fibroid.
In a fresh interview, the movie star opened up on how the benign tumour has affected her marriage.
Ini Dima-Okojie also cleared up misconceptions about how fibroids affect fertility in women.
In her words:
“First of all, there are some misconceptions with fibroids. People automatically think that once you have fibroids, then you cannot have kids.
Recently I was on a panel and the doctor actually said that it’s about two to three percent of fibroid cases that lead to infertility. So, there are things you’re looking out for when you have fibroids: how many, the size, and the location. The location determines how severe the case is. So if it’s a little to close to the uterus or on it, that is when it might be tricky if you’re trying to have kids.
When it comes to dealing with it in marriage, I really think it just depends on the kind of partner you have.”
Dima-Okojie lauded her husband for his support at every turn. She added:
“My husband is the most supportive husband. I was really stressing out about it when I found out it was back. I’ve cried. I was just not okay. Because I remember what that surgery was and it wasn’t funny. It wasn’t I was in and out of the hospital, I was in the hospital for like 4 days after. I couldn’t walk for so long after. It was painful so I couldn’t even imagine that I’d go through that again.
But Abasi is just the best guy. He is very comforting. He is very supportive of everything that I do, and he’s like “babe, you’ll be fine. Whatever it is, we’re together, we will deal with it.” It just depends on the kind of partner that you have and I’ve been so lucky that my support system is so strong.”
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The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has implored Nigerians to shelve the nationwide protest slated for August 1.
The association, who said it was not oblivious with the pain, anger and frustration that many Nigerians are experiencing, asked the citizens to explore other means of voicing their discontent.
The religious group made their position known in a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Friday.
While it acknowledged that peaceful protest is a constitutional right of citizens, CAN said experience has shown that the planned protest could be hijacked by hoodlums.
The statement reads, “As we navigate this period of crisis, it is imperative to uphold the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to peacefully protest and express their grievances.
“The right to assemble and voice discontent is a cornerstone of our democracy and must be protected and respected by all.
“Peaceful protests are a powerful tool for civic engagement, allowing the populace to communicate their concerns and hold leaders accountable. However, the anxiety related to the impending protests is heightening, especially given the volatile experiences in countries like Kenya and Pakistan.
“We must also draw from our recent history. The #ENDSARS and #RevolutionNow protests, though rooted in genuine grievances, were marred by tragic incidents where miscreants hijacked the process.
“This led to widespread looting, destruction of properties, and unfortunate loss of lives. These experiences have shown us that mass demonstrations can quickly degenerate into chaos if not properly managed and coordinated.
“In light of the planned protests scheduled to commence on 1st of August, CAN urges all Nigerians to consider alternative means of expressing their grievances.
“We recommend giving the government more time to address these pressing concerns. This period should be used to explore other legal avenues that will not easily give hoodlums the opportunity to hijack the exercise to destroy our national assets or endanger lives and properties.
“Dialogue, petitions, and town hall meetings are viable options that can yield positive results without the risk of disorder.
“We call on the government to cut the cost of governance and expedite its efforts to alleviate the hardships in the land. The opulent lifestyle of political office holders must be addressed to demonstrate the sincerity of those in government to improve the living conditions of the people.
“Likewise, it is imperative that the government implements the newly approved national minimum wage to provide immediate relief to struggling families.
“Furthermore, specific measures must be taken to put an end to kidnappings, banditry, and mass killings that have plagued various parts of our country. The security and well-being of every Nigerian should be paramount, and urgent action is required to restore peace and order.
“We also call on the government to expedite its efforts to alleviate the hardships in the land. There is an urgent need for more refined and effective policies that address the root causes of the economic challenges we face.
“The government must deepen its consultations with stakeholders, including religious leaders, to create a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to problem-solving. By working together, we can devise sustainable solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people.
“In these trying times, let us all remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). As we seek to bring about positive change, let us do so with a spirit of peace, love, and unity. Our strength lies in our ability to come together, support one another, and work collectively toward a better Nigeria.
“We pray for wisdom and discernment for our leaders, resilience and hope for our citizens, and divine intervention to guide us through these difficult times.”
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited said it is set to hire more workers.
A statement published on the company’s website on Friday, said the recruitment would be for various positions across various departments within the energy company.
“NNPC Ltd is pleased to announce that we are currently hiring for multiple positions across various departments. We are seeking talented and dedicated individuals to join our team. Visit our careers page for application instructions,” Soneye stated.
NNPCL urged interested applicants to submit their applications through its official website, https://careers.nnpcgroup.com
This is the first recruitment exercise since it fully transformed into a limited company in 2022.
However, in a later update, the company saidits job application portal is currently experiencing downtime due to an ‘unprecedented’ surge in traffic.
Checks revealed that the agency’s website is displaying server error messages.
It wrote, “Due to unprecedented traffic to the NNPC Ltd. career page from applicants applying for vacancies, the site is currently experiencing slow load times,” the statement reads, the company said on its X handle on Friday.
“Our technicians are working diligently to rectify the problem as quickly as possible. Please be assured that the application process deadline remains August 20, 2024.”
NNPC also reassured applicants of a transparent and merit-based recruitment process, urging capable Nigerians to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
The operatives of the FCT police command have intercepted a four-member syndicate while attempting to snatch a black Prado Jeep from the owner around Capital Hub in Jahi, Abuja.
The FCT command on Friday disclosed that the operation led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mabushi led to the arrest of two and the death of two as well.
The statement read partly: “On sighting the police operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, which resulted in a gun duel, but were over power by the police, as two suspects, Joshua Godfrey A.K.A. Dogo 44yrs and Abdulsalam Mamuda 29yrs both of Mabushi village, were arrested, while the two others were neutralised by the police, their blue Toyota Matrix operational vehicle with Reg. No. BWR 626 JB, was recovered.
“The two arrested suspects subsequently led police operatives to the recovery of another red Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. RBC 743 AH, which must have been snatched from an innocent resident.
“Exhibits such as arms, cutlass, dagger, scissors, and mobile phones were recovered from them.”
The FCT commissioner of police FCT, Benneth Igweh, while reaffirming the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and properties, urged residents and all medical facilities in FCT to be on watch out and to call the attention of the police to anybody sighted with bullet wounds.
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the educational experience for international students, promising a more welcoming environment under the new government.
Naija News reports that the phenomenon known as the ‘Japa Syndrome’ has seen many skilled Nigerians and students leaving the country for better opportunities abroad, including the UK.
Speaking at the Embassy Education conference, Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, highlighted the UK’s dedication to strengthening international educational ties.
“We aim to refresh existing partnerships and cultivate new ones globally. Education can be a bridge between our nations,” she stated.
Addressing past inconsistencies in policies towards international students, Phillipson acknowledged that previous governments had sent mixed signals and often used international students for political leverage.
She criticized the former administration for treating international students as “political footballs” instead of appreciating them as valued guests. Despite their substantial tuition contributions, international students often faced resentment.
Phillipson assured that the current UK government would adopt a more supportive and consistent approach toward international students.
She emphasized that international students are welcomed in the UK and that the government values their contributions to the academic community and society at large.
Phillipson highlighted a desire to create a supportive environment where international students can thrive, stating, “Britain welcomes those who come to study and meet our requirements.”
Phillipson also highlighted the importance of international partnerships in spreading educational opportunities worldwide. “Our global partnerships are vital for expanding opportunities. By collaborating, we can make significant progress globally,” she said.
Recognizing the courage of international students, Phillipson praised their bravery in adapting to a new culture away from their homes and families.
She expressed pride in the UK’s appeal as a destination for these students and pledged government support for their academic and career success.
The Secretary of State for Education outlined the post-study opportunities available to international students, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to facilitating their transition into the workforce.
She mentioned that international graduates can remain in the UK on a graduate visa for two years, or three years for PhD graduates, allowing them to work and contribute to the community.
Phillipson concluded by acknowledging the significant cultural and economic impact of international students on the UK.
“The UK wouldn’t be the same without them. Arts, music, culture, sport, food, language, humour – international students drive dynamism on so many levels. And of course, their contribution to the British economy is substantial.
“Each international student adds about £100,000 to our national prosperity. This impact is not just a national statistic. It’s felt in towns and cities right across the country,” she remarked.