Many  motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have continued to allege that the fuel presently being sold by some fuel stations is of poor quality.

According to them, the development has caused some level of damage to their car engines’.

The motorists, in Lugbe, Dutse, Gwarimpa, Bwari, Mararaba spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Mrs Doris Chinazor who resides in Dutse said that the product burns very fast as it does not last long.

“I live in Dutse, if I buy N15, 000 fuel in my car, it does not take me to and back from my place of work in the city centre.

She urged relevant authorities to intensify monitoring of petroleum products to ensure that only quality fuel was sold to consumers.

Another commercial driver in Lugbe, Mr Moses Ugwu said that the fuel in the market  burns faster.

He called on regulators to carry out routine checks on filling stations to ensure that motorists got value for their money.

Mr James Oguntade of Mararaba, said he had experienced situations where his vehicle consumed more fuel shortly after refueling.

“When I filled up my car thinking it will last for a few days, but the fuel finisheed faster than usual, it is becoming worrisome,” he said.

A trader in Gwarimpa, Mrs Ada Okafor said that before the oil subsidy removal,the fuel sold was of high quality and does not burn fast.

“I can remember before now, we got value for our money, but now the situation is different.

“We now buy fuel at expensive costs and don’t get the value for our money,” she said.

She urged the Federal Government and relevent authorities to look into the issue critically.

“We are suffering in silence, we are pained, transportation is on the high side, among others,” she said.

NAN reports that the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), had pledged to investigate allegations of fuel quantity and irregularities at retail filling stations in Abuja.

Mr George Ene-Ita, an official of NMDPRA, said the agency operates an on-field surveillance framework designed to detect anomalies in fuel dispensing across retail outlets.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr Chinedu Ukadike explained that the cost of fuel and the value derived from fuel were not the same thing.

He said the value of fuel was determined by how much a vehicle consumes and the distance it could cover.

“In the past, someone could spend ₦50,000 to fill a vehicle’s fuel tank. If the vehicle was in good condition, it could take the person from Abuja to Enugu depending on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

“Today, however, fuel prices have increased significantly. A litre of PMS may cost between ₦1,340 and ₦1,370, depending on the location and filling station.

“At today’s prices, ₦50,000 may only buy around 36 litres instead of 50 litres. The distance that can be covered with 36 litres is obviously less than the distance that could be covered with 50 litres.

“The cost of fuel is no longer equivalent to the value motorists previously enjoyed. The higher the price of fuel, the fewer litres consumers can purchase with the same amount of money.

“This is why many motorists complain that ₦50,000 worth of fuel now lasts only a few days. The issue is not that the fuel disappears faster; it is that ₦50,000 now buys fewer litres than before.

“The volume has reduced because the price has increased. Therefore, motorists who say that ₦50,000 worth of fuel no longer takes them as far as it used to are correct.

” At current prices, ₦50,000 buys significantly less fuel than it did previously,” he said.

Prices of some food items have further dropped across markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as residents welcomed the development.

A market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) across major markets in the FCT showed that while prices of several staples declined after the festive season, some food items remain expensive.

Some residents who spoke to NAN said the drop in prices had brought some relief but urged the government to ensure sustainability, as many households were still constrained by low purchasing power.

Latest food inflation statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Nigeria’s food inflation rate dropped in December 2025.

According to the NBS, food inflation stood at -0.36 per cent on a month-on-month basis, representing a decrease of 1.49 percentage points compared to the 1.13 per cent recorded in November 2025.

The bureau attributed the decline to a reduction in the average prices of items such as tomatoes, garri, eggs, potatoes, carrots, millet, vegetables, plantain, beans, wheat grain, ground pepper and fresh onions, among others.

At Garki Model Market, NAN observed notable price drops in several food items between November 2025 and January 2026.

A dustbin basket of big red tomatoes is being sold for between N5,000 and N5,500, as against N6,000 to N7,000, while a dustbin basket of shombo dropped to N3,000 from N4,500 to N5,000 recorded between November and December.

Similarly, a dustbin basket of fresh pepper dropped significantly, falling from between N4,500 and N5,000 to about N2,500, while tatashe dropped from between N5,000 and N6,000 to N3,000.

A dustbin basket of onions is being sold for N4,000 compared to N4,500 previously, and sweet potatoes dropped to between N1,000 and N1,800 from N3,000.

However, Irish potatoes recorded a sharp increase, increasing from 5,000 to N6,000 to between N9,000 and N10,000 per dustbin basket.

Rice prices remained relatively stable, with a 50kg bag of local rice selling for between N52,000 and N57,000, while foreign rice is being sold for N64,000. A 25kg bag of local rice is being sold for between N25,000 and N28,000.

At Nyanya Market, a dustbin basket of tomatoes sold for between N2,000 and N3,000, as against N4,000 during the festive season.

Onions dropped to N3,300 to N4,000 from N5,000 for a dustbin basket, while five medium-sized yam tubers now sell for between N4,500 and N5,000 compared to N5,000 to N7,500 previously sold.

One mudu of brown beans dropped from N1,000 to N700.

In Gwagwalada Market, food prices recorded a slight drop after the festive season, though many staples remained expensive.

A 50kg bag of foreign rice, which sold for N70,000 to N75,000 during Christmas, is now sold for between N65,000 and N70,000, while local rice dropped from N68,000 to between N62,000 and N66,000.

A medium-sized yam tuber dropped slightly from N4,000 to about N3,500.

The price of a live chicken dropped from between N20,000 to N25,000 to between N16,000 and N19,000, while a kg of cow beef dropped to N9,000 from N10,500. Frozen fish prices, however, remained unchanged.

At Apo Resettlement Market, prices of tomatoes, pepper and sweet potatoes declined, while onions and beef remained largely stable.

A dustbin basket of big red tomatoes dropped to between N3,500 and N4,000 as against N5,000 to N6,000, and tatashe dropped to N4,000 and N4,500 as against N5,500 sold during the festive period.

Pepper dropped significantly from N4,500 to N2,500 for a dustbin basket, as well as sweet potato, which dropped from N2,500 to N1,500, while a kg of beef remained at N8,000.

At Orange Market, Mararaba, NAN observed a sharp decline in the prices of tomatoes and pepper.

A big basket of tomatoe Jos dropped from between N23,000 to N25,000 to between N10,000 and N11,000, while fresh pepper dropped to N10,000 from N15,000.

Prices of beans, however, remained unchanged at between N750 and N800 per mudu.

Dei-Dei Market also recorded significant price reductions.

A big basket of derica tomatoes known as tomatoe Jos is presently being sold for between N8,000 and N12,000, as against N25,000 to N28,000, while a 50kg bag of fresh pepper dropped sharply to between N15,000 and N20,000 from N60,000.

A dustbin basket of sweet potatoes dropped to N1,000 as against N2,500 to N3,000 it was previously sold.

In Karu and Lugbe markets, prices of garri, beans, tomatoes and yams also eased, while Orozo Market recorded a rise in the price of brown beans, with a bag increasing from N42,000 to N49,000.

In Karu, five big yam tubers are being sold for between N8,000 and N10,000, as against N12,000 and N14,000, while in the Lugbe market, five medium-sized tubers of yams are being sold at N7,000 as against N10,000.

At Wuse Market, prices remained higher compared to other markets surveyed, though slight reductions were recorded in tomatoes, pepper, onions and tatashe.

A dustbin basket of Tatashe is selling for between N5,000 and N6,000 as against N7,000 and N8,000 while tomatoes are selling for between N7,000 and N7,500 as against N7,500 and N8,000.

At Orange Market, Mararaba, NAN observed a sharp decline in the prices of tomatoes and pepper.

A big basket of tomatoe Jos dropped from between N23,000 to N25,000 to between N10,000 and N11,000, while fresh pepper dropped to N10,000 from N15,000.

Prices of beans, however, remained unchanged at between N750 and N800 per mudu.

Dei-Dei Market also recorded significant price reductions.

A big basket of derica tomatoes known as tomatoe Jos is presently being sold for between N8,000 and N12,000, as against N25,000 to N28,000, while a 50kg bag of fresh pepper dropped sharply to between N15,000 and N20,000 from N60,000.

A dustbin basket of sweet potatoes dropped to N1,000 as against N2,500 to N3,000 it was previously sold.

In Karu and Lugbe markets, prices of garri, beans, tomatoes and yams also eased, while Orozo Market recorded a rise in the price of brown beans, with a bag increasing from N42,000 to N49,000.

In Karu, five big yam tubers are being sold for between N8,000 and N10,000, as against N12,000 and N14,000, while in the Lugbe market, five medium-sized tubers of yams are being sold at N7,000 as against N10,000.

At Wuse Market, prices remained higher compared to other markets surveyed, though slight reductions were recorded in tomatoes, pepper, onions and tatashe.

A dustbin basket of Tatashe is selling for between N5,000 and N6,000 as against N7,000 and N8,000 while tomatoes are selling for between N7,000 and N7,500 as against N7,500 and N8,000.

A dustbin basket of fresh pepper dropped from N5, 000 and N6,000 to between N4,000 to N4,500

Some traders attributed the post-Christmas price drop to reduced consumer spending in January and increased supply from harvests.

A tomato trader at Garki Market told NAN that more customers were now buying full baskets due to lower prices, although many still bought smaller quantities because of limited funds.

Cyril Okocha, a businessman said the fluctuations were largely seasonal, noting that crops such as tomatoes, peppers and onions could become expensive during off-season periods.

According to him, the main challenge is not just food prices but low income and irregular salary payments.

“Many workers are underpaid, salaries are not indexed to inflation, minimum wage is not fully implemented across states, and some workers are not paid regularly.”

“To ensure sustainability of food prices, the government should encourage dry season farming, improve food availability, security, regulate prices, and boost incomes, these are also essential to easing the cost-of-living crisis.”

Some residents also shared similar views. Yemisi, a civil servant, expressed satisfaction with the drop in prices of items such as tomatoes, pepper, rice and beans, but urged the government to ensure sustainability.

“The reduction is encouraging, but many people still cannot afford these items. Government should ensure the prices are sustained,” she said.

A security guard, Mohamed Gobiri, described the price drop as a welcome development, especially for rice, and appealed to the government to further ease food costs.

Meanwhile, farmers and agricultural experts have urged the Federal Government to adopt deliberate and long-term policies to sustain the decline in food prices.

Kabir Ibrahim, President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) said the current drop in food prices was largely driven by harvest-season factors and warned that prices could rise again without structural improvements.

Experts also recommend addressing insecurity, foreign exchange challenges and transportation costs to curb food inflation and ensure sustainable food security.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has reinstated the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr Danlami Hayyo, and acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Mr Michael Ango.

Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communication and Social Media, announced the reinstatement in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Olayinka explained that the minister, warning against indiscipline among FCT Administration officials, directed Hayyo and Ango to resume duty with immediate effect.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hayyo was suspended on Nov. 25 following a circular directing early school closure over alleged security concerns.

Ango was similarly suspended on Dec. 5, though no explanation was provided regarding the specific offense that led to his suspension.

Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have resorted to drinking tap water following the increase in the price of sachet water.

The residents, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, said that they could not cope with the recent increase in cost of sachet water.

NAN reports that a unit price of sachet water, popularly known as “pure water” was recently hiked by more than 100 per cent and now being sold at N50 from N20.

Miss Rachel Joshua, a civil servant and a resident of Garki, said that a bag of sachet water now costs N600 in her area, as against N300 it was sold for a few weeks ago.

She said: “Water is a necessity, even if it is to be sold, it should not be this expensive. I’m even tired of buying it because I cannot cope with the cost.

“In the past few days, I just boil my drinking water and allow it to cool and then put in bottles and freeze. It has saved me much and it is worth it,’’ she said.

However, Mr Peter Bawah, a resident of Kubwa, told NAN that “since water is a major necessity, buying sachet water is unavoidable in spite of the price increase.

“I still buy sachet water although in small quantity, considering the fact that at N50, it is now out of reach of the common man.

He said boiling of water would have been a better option but the price of gas had also increased, thereby making it it impossible.

“I have resorted to drinking water directly from the tap since I cannot afford the hygienic means of boiling water before drinking.

“I now drink borehole water because if I have to boil my drinking water, I have to use my cooking gas and that too, is also expensive.

“I am trying to use my cooking gas with caution so it can last longer, I just drink the water like that,” Bawah said.

Mrs Debora Ali, also a resident of Garki, told NAN that life had not been easy for her family since the increase in the cost of sachet water.

According to her, we no longer buy sachet water since there are other ways to get potable water.”

“Some of these sachet water are not even clean, anyone can buy a sealing machine and pour anything in it and sell.”

“Although bottled water is now more expensive with the realisation that tap water can possibly be sold as pure water, some of us had to switch to bottled water,” Ali said.

Similarly, Mrs Amarachi Eke, a resident of Nyanya, said that she used to buy 10 bags of sachet water every week for N1, 700 for her household but now the same amount of  bags sell for N5,000.

“It has not been easy at all, we had to cut down the number of bags to five, which is N2,500 in my area and we manage it for the week.

“I have introduced boiling water in large portions to my wards to store in containers for drinking.

“This is because we cannot continue to cut the amount of water we drink because we cannot afford it,” she said.

However, Miss Bella Oyin, another resident and a trader who deals in sachet water, said that she got her supply of sachet water from distributors at N550 per bag and sometimes, at N400 per bag.

The difference, she explained, depended on the company that produced the water and probably, the cost of production with regards to printing, packaging and logistics.

Oyin also said that the cost of buying ice blocks to cool the water before sale was another reason for the increase in price of sachet water.

She, however, said that she sometimes sold a sachet for N50 each and other times, two, for N50 and may have to stop selling it if the price kept going high.

“A lot of people cannot afford it again especially those with large families.

“They don’t buy like before again because they cannot afford it like when it was cheaper.

The US Government, in collaboration with Exchange Alumni, has trained 50 girls from 10 schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills.

Tech Women Alumni, Ms Stella Dennis, in a statement on Saturday said the programme was with the sponsorship of the U.S Department of State through the Alumni Ties programme and facilitated by World Learning.

She said it has been a beacon of innovation and empowerment for the talented young participants who joined them for an enriching five days at the FCTA Science and Technology camp.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-day programme delved into innovative aspects of digital making, including 3D printing, augmented reality, laser machines, and digital making for goods.

Dennis explained that the virtual and augmented reality platforms were utilised to connect the students with women in tech and STEM leadership positions, addressing the underrepresentation of women’s stories in the field.

She shared insights into the programme’s focus on encouraging more girls in STEM, providing them with 3D printers and equipment to replicate the learned skills.

She noted that the facilitators were recent secondary school graduates who had undergone training through internships.

“Through this innovative approach, the participants had the privilege of interacting with accomplished women in the field, drawing inspiration from their journeys, and understanding the vast possibilities that lie ahead.

“Your creativity, coupled with these newfound capabilities, has the potential to reshape the landscape of technology and make a positive impact on society.”

She also highlighted the significant impact of similar programmes, having trained over 10,000 girls since its inception in 2014.

A representative of the FCT Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Mrs Funmi Jemisenia, reiterated the programme’s objective to inclusively involve girls in STEM activities and ensuring they stay abreast of new technologies.

Regarding government involvement, Jemisenia explained the FCT’s commitment in providing accommodation for the programme and emphasising girl-child education through specialised schools and participation in STEM competitions.

The alumni coordinator and US Embassy representative, Hannatu Sadiq, congratulated the participants, expressing the embassy’s dedication to women’s empowerment.

She encouraged the girls to embrace the opportunities ahead, assuring them of a supportive community.

NAN reports that the STEM initiative equipped young girls with essential skills and also addresses gender disparities in the tech and STEM fields.

Recent developments indicate that kidnapping has become the latest security concern for authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A surge in criminal activities, particularly kidnappings, in and around Abuja has heightened apprehension among residents and visitors in recent weeks.

Notably, areas like Bwari and the city center have experienced sporadic incidents of kidnapping. A significant case involved the abduction of 19 individuals from the Sagwari Estate Layout in Bwari Area Council, resulting in the tragic murder of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, along with her five siblings. Another victim, 13-year-old Folashade Ariyo, also fell prey to the kidnappers, sparking widespread debates on national security management, with calls for decisive actions against security agency heads.

Despite these challenges, security agencies assert their readiness and capability to tackle the kidnapping menace in the FCT. The FCT Police Command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, successfully rescued kidnapping victims in Zuma 1, Bwari. Similarly, the Kaduna State Police Command rescued a victim abducted in Abuja and arrested a suspected kidnapper, leading to the recovery of firearms and the victim’s vehicle.

Additionally, the military has intensified efforts to combat kidnapping, deploying special forces and conducting targeted operations nationwide. The Director of Defence Media Operations assures residents of collaborative efforts with other security agencies to dismantle kidnapping syndicates, leveraging ground and air surveillance techniques.

The Nigerian Air Force has also been actively involved, employing air firepower to eliminate notorious terrorists and kidnap kingpins operating in Kaduna State and along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway. Collaborative efforts between the NAF and other security agencies aim to disrupt criminal activities and safeguard civilians.

Experts attribute the surge in insecurity to economic hardship and youth unemployment, emphasizing the need for government intervention through job creation and social intervention schemes. They stress the importance of synergy among security forces and the public to enhance security measures and combat criminal activities effectively.

In response to the prevailing security challenges, the Minister of Defence inaugurated a committee for the installation of security surveillance systems along the Abuja-Kaduna highway and rail line. However, experts underscore the importance of swift response by security agencies to intelligence gathered through surveillance systems to achieve desired results.

Ultimately, strengthening collaboration between security forces and the public is crucial in addressing the security threats posed by kidnapping and other criminal activities in the FCT and across Nigeria.

“The recent outburst from a Muslim cleric regarding who should and should not be appointed Minister of the FCT is regrettable and could be described as hate speech.

“In fact, the outburst came as an attack on our son who was meritoriously appointed by Tinunu as Minister of the FCT.”
***

The Coalition of River Leaders of Thoughts has expressed confidence on the ability and capacity of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, to deliver on the mandate of the nation’s capital.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Chief Sunnie Chukumele and Secretary, Mr Josiah Onoriode and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

They described those recently calling for sack of the FCT minister as ignoramous and agents of division.

According to them, any Nigerian has the right to be appointed in whatever capacity that the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces deems fit. Wike has the capacity to administer the FCT.

“President Bola Tinubu has confidence in and believes in his capacity, hence, he appointed him as Minister of the Federal Republic.

“From all indications, Wike is ready to transform Abuja into a Mega City. He has strategised to increase the revenue base of the FCT and is yielding results already. We believe in his capacity.

“The recent outburst from a Muslim cleric regarding who should and should not be appointed Minister of the FCT is regrettable and could be described as hate speech.

“In fact, the outburst came as an attack on our son who was meritoriously appointed by Tinunu as Minister of the FCT,’’ the coalition said.

It emphasised that the security and intelligence community in Nigeria should have been seen to have taken decisive action on the cleric as a critical and needed step to assuage the fears of the conscious populace of Nigeria.

According to the organisation, the negative impacts of such an outburst from a cleric definitely affects investment decisions on Nigeria by the much sought after foreign investors which Tinubu is trying to woo.

“We want to advise that whenever the cleric makes such comment again, he should be invited by the security services and other agencies to answer questions. Nigeria belongs to Nigerians,’’ the coalition stated. (NAN) (