Government Withdraws Criminal Charges Against Protesters…Boko Haram Ally Arrested…Insecurity Push Nurses to the Brink of Work Strike…Dangote Refinery Turns to U.S. for Crude as Local Supply Falls Short
● Kano State Drops Charges Against #EndBadGovernance Protesters
The Kano State government has dropped all criminal charges against protesters who participated in the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in August last year.
The Attorney General of Kano State ordered the withdrawal of the charges following a petition by the civil rights group Citizens’ Gavel, according to The Guardian.
The group had urged the Attorney General to dismiss the charges against peaceful protesters, arguing that they were baselessly accused of crimes like conspiracy to commit treason.
The charges were reportedly withdrawn on Monday. Citizens’ Gavel remarked that the withdrawal is “a significant victory for justice, reaffirming the rights of citizens to peacefully express their grievances without fear of persecution.”
● Military Disrupt Boko Haram Expansion Plans with Arrest of Ally
The Nigerian Army has arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Gambo Grema, in Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria. Grema, alias Gamboi, was apprehended on January 26th following intelligence-led operations by troops of the 6th Brigade of the Nigerian Army and Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).
According to Captain Oni Olubodunde, spokesperson for the 6th Brigade, Grema confessed to being part of a syndicate deployed by Boko Haram to establish a base in Taraba and carry out kidnappings for ransom to keep the terror group’s operations going. He also revealed that Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives were involved in the mission.
Olubodunde explained that Grema and others were sent to explore and establish new bases in Taraba State as Boko Haram faced relentless military offensives on their strongholds in the Timbuktu Triangle, a major operational hub for Boko Haram and ISWAP in Borno State.
However, Grema could not accomplish the mission as the military tracked and captured him.
● Nigerian Nurses Threaten Strike Over Frequent Hospital Attacks
Nurses and midwives in Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria, are threatening to strike. They are demanding better security after a colleague was recently kidnapped.
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) gave the state government a deadline of Thursday to address their concerns.
The association’s demands include round-the-clock security in hospitals, the immediate release of abducted workers, compensation for affected members, and better pay to attract healthcare professionals.
NANNM Chairman Nurse Nura Mu’azu said nurses are afraid to work in high-risk areas due to the ongoing abductions and killings of their members. He listed affected areas, including Kankara, Batsari, and Funtua, where health workers have continued to face attacks.
● Nigeria’s Largest Refinery Turns to U.S. Oil as Local Supply Falters
Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to receive 12 million barrels of crude oil from the United States as it faces supply challenges from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
The $20 billion refinery, which aims to reach its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) by June, has ramped up production to 500,000 bpd. However, NNPC has struggled to meet its supply commitment of 350,000 bpd from Nigeria’s 450,000 bpd local allocation.
“About 12 million barrels of crude have departed the U.S. and should arrive in Nigeria by February,” an insider source told The Africa Report, according to Peoples Gazette.
To address the supply gap, the refinery is expanding its storage capacity with eight additional tanks, increasing crude storage by 41.67 percent to 3.4 billion liters.
What’s News Today? January 29, 2025, compiled by Ezinwanne Onwuka for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
