General
NSCDC Reiterates Protection of National Assets Amid Elections
By Adedapo Adesanya
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reiterated its commitment to protecting critical national assets in the country, including oil and gas facilities, power, telecommunications, and other national infrastructure.
The Rivers State Commandant of NSCDC, Michael Besong Ogar, said about 105 operational vehicles, four gunboats and special forces from the Intelligence Squad, Counter Terrorism Unit, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Explosives Unit, Armed and Antivandal Unit of the Command had been fully briefed and deployed.
Mr Ogar, during a pre-election media briefing in Port Harcourt, said in line with the directive of the NSCDC Commandant General, Mr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Rivers State Command has deployed 5,255 officers and men drawn from the various 23 Local Government Areas, departments, and units of the Command.
For the anti-vandal unit, the NSCDC boss in Rivers State listed their job description to include “protection of all critical national assets in Rivers State, including public buildings, oil and gas pipelines, energy and power facility, transportation as well as telecommunication infrastructures; so they are on red alert so that hoodlums will not take any chances during this election.
“We are the lead agency when it comes to the protection of national assets.
“For the past six months, Rivers State Command has the highest number of arrests of vandals as well as the highest number of convictions and forfeiture to the federal government.
“We also arrest those including in Naira racketeering in Rivers State. We had them convicted last week for selling Naira. We collaborated with the CBN, and we were able to convict them.”
NSCDC, who assured of adequate security before, during, and after the 2023 general election, affirmed that the Command was fully prepared for the Saturday 25th and 11th March 2023, noting that the Corps’ preparedness was informed by the determination to remain apolitical, and neutral and highly professional while on election duty.
He further hinted that the training and re-training programs organized internally as well as in conjunction with the INEC and other Sister Security Agencies in the State have been very impactful; hence the NSCDC officers and men are well informed on the election operational guidelines, the provisions of the electoral Act 2022, the NSCDC Standard Operating Procedures amongst others.
“With the level of the training programs we have organized for our personnel coupled with the Election Security Personnel joint training, you can rest assured that there would be effective security coverage in the elections”.
The Command helmsman called on critical stakeholders such as party leaders, their supporters, traditional institutions, religious bodies, and the general public to consciously make concerted efforts in ensuring that the elections are free, fair, and credible in Rivers State.
He urged the voters to remain calm and cast their votes in a peaceful manner shunning all forms of electoral violence as the security agencies would not hesitate to arrest anyone who disrupts the peaceful conduct of the elections.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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