Ebonyi State governor Francis Nwifuru says he has sent a bill to the state House of Assembly that would make kidnapping punishable by death by hanging, with no other option.

Where he said it

Nwifuru made the announcement over the weekend at the funeral of HRH Eze Francis Igwe, the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike autonomous community in Ikwo Local Government Area. The monarch, the father of a former deputy governor of the state, Eric Igwe, was abducted on Sunday, 1 March 2026, while travelling to church, and was reportedly killed by his captors the next day.

What he said

The governor said the bill was meant to deter anyone planning a kidnapping, whether for money or for political reasons. He said he would not delay in carrying out any court judgment against those arrested over the monarch's killing, and that the murder must be the last of its kind in Ikwo and across the state. He also expressed concern about what he described as a moral decline among young people and urged them to turn away from crime.

Tributes

Former governors Sam Egwu and Martin Elechi and former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim paid tribute to the late monarch, describing him as a peacemaker, educationist and good administrator who brought projects such as the Folk Technical College to his community. His eldest son said his father's last wish was for Governor Nwifuru to win a second term.

Background

Several Nigerian states already have laws that allow the death penalty for kidnapping, but executions are rare because governors must sign death warrants. Human rights groups oppose the death penalty, while supporters argue it is needed to deter a crime that has spread across the country.

What happens next

The bill must be passed by the House of Assembly and signed by the governor before it becomes law.

Some poor households have reportedly started receiving payments under the federal government's Household Prosperity and Empowerment (HoPE) Cash Transfer Programme, according to reports at the weekend.

What has been reported

Several beneficiaries said they received text messages showing that ₦25,000 had been paid into their accounts through microfinance banks and payment providers. Under the programme, eligible households are expected to receive ₦25,000 a month for three months, a total of ₦75,000 per household. The money is meant to help families with food, transport and other basic needs.

What is not yet clear

The government has not confirmed how many households have been paid or whether payments have started nationwide. Reports say payment dates may differ from one beneficiary to another, and that not every eligible household will be paid at the same time.

Beware of scams

Beneficiaries are being advised to confirm any payment alert with their bank or payment provider through official customer service channels, and not to share passwords, PINs or other private details with anyone. People are also warned to ignore offers of registration for a fee, as the programme does not charge people to enrol.

Background

The government has run several cash transfer schemes since the removal of the petrol subsidy in 2023, aimed at cushioning the effect of rising prices on the poorest households. A separate scheme offering ₦50,000 a month to some vulnerable Nigerians was announced recently. Critics have questioned how beneficiaries are selected and whether payments reach the right people, while the government says it uses the national social register.

What it means

For families who receive the money, the payments offer some relief, but many Nigerians say the amounts are small compared with the cost of living.

The chairman of Zaki Local Government Area in Bauchi State, Masud Aliyu Umar, has died in a road accident, barely three months after he took office.

What happened

The crash happened on the evening of Sunday, 1 November 2026, at Konkiyal village in Darazo Local Government Area, according to reports. Umar was returning to Zaki after attending a stakeholders' meeting of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Bauchi, the state capital. Details of how the accident happened and whether anyone else was hurt have not been made public.

Who he was

Umar was elected chairman on 17 August 2026, along with the chairmen of the other 19 local government areas in the state. Before that, he served as director-general of the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), where he was credited with leading the state's disaster response and humanitarian work.

Governor's tribute

Governor Bala Mohammed described the death as a devastating loss to the state. In a statement issued through his media aide, Mukhtar Gidado, he described Umar as a dedicated public servant, a committed grassroots politician and a compassionate leader. He said that despite his short time as chairman, Umar had shown strong commitment to empowering young people and women and to development in Zaki. The governor sent condolences to the family, the people of Zaki, the Katagum Emirate Council and the state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria.

Funeral

The governor said funeral prayers would be held on Monday, 2 November, at 2pm at the palace of the District Head of Mur Mur in Zaki Local Government Area.

Background

Road accidents remain one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria, and many involve officials travelling at night on poor roads.

Petrol prices are falling again in Nigeria after the Dangote Refinery announced another cut.

The new price

According to reports on Monday, 2 November 2026, the refinery reduced its petrol gantry price by ₦55, from ₦1,265 to ₦1,210 per litre, a drop of about 4.35 per cent. The cut was announced through marketers linked to the refinery. Industry sources said it followed a fall in the European petrol benchmark that the refinery uses to set its prices, as well as better supply.

Depot prices

Other Lagos depots had already reduced their prices at the end of last week. Depot owners including African Terminal, Rainoil, Ardova and NIPCO were selling petrol at about ₦1,260 per litre, with Aiteo slightly lower at ₦1,255. Prices also fell in Port Harcourt and Calabar. Diesel prices have moved in the opposite direction after the refinery raised its diesel gantry price last week.

What it means for motorists

Gantry and depot prices are what marketers pay before selling at filling stations, so the cuts could lead to lower pump prices in the coming days. However, actual pump prices also depend on transport costs and how quickly retailers pass on savings.

Background

This is the refinery's second petrol price cut in less than a week. Since fuel subsidies were removed in 2023, prices have been set by the market, and the Dangote Refinery has become a major influence on what Nigerians pay at the pump.