Nigerians are facing higher cooking gas costs after depot prices at major suppliers in Lagos rose sharply in just three days, according to a price review published on Monday, 2 November 2026.

The new prices

All five monitored Lagos depots reportedly raised their prices between 30 October and 2 November, with increases of ₦140 to ₦200 per kilogram. Navgas recorded the steepest rise, from ₦1,250 to ₦1,450 per kg, an increase of 16 per cent. 11Plc and Nipco both moved from ₦1,225 to ₦1,390 per kg, while Techno Oil and Rain Oil went from ₦1,200 to ₦1,370 per kg. Dangote's depot price was the lowest among those monitored, at ₦1,050 per kg.

What it means for households

Depot prices feed directly into what retailers charge for refilling cylinders, so consumers are likely to pay more in the coming days. A 12.5kg cylinder, the size used by many families, could cost roughly ₦2,000 more to refill at these depot rates. Clean cooking advocates warned that rising gas costs are pushing some households back to firewood and charcoal, which are cheaper but cause indoor air pollution and deforestation.

Background

Cooking gas prices in Nigeria have been volatile over the past two years, affected by exchange rates, supply problems and international prices. The government has encouraged wider use of liquefied petroleum gas as a cleaner alternative to kerosene and firewood. The Dangote refinery has also become a major supplier, and its prices have often been lower than those of other depots.

What happens next

Marketers say prices will depend on supply and global market conditions in the coming weeks.

Investment banker and IBTC founder Atedo Peterside says the Tinubu administration's economic reforms are widening the gap between rich and poor Nigerians.

What he said

Speaking in a television interview on Monday night, 2 November 2026, Peterside reportedly said that whether the reforms are working depends on who is asked. He said upper-middle-class Nigerians with investments in the stock market are probably better off than they were three years ago, while low-income workers with little savings who struggle to eat two meals a day and pay their bills are a lot worse off. He admitted that his own investment income had risen, but said his concern was for the 130 to 140 million Nigerians who are poor and getting poorer.

Background

The government removed the petrol subsidy and unified the exchange rate in 2023, moves that pushed up prices but which it says were needed to rescue the economy. Officials point to falling inflation, which dropped to 14.63 per cent in September, rising foreign reserves and a stock market that hit a record high last week. Critics say these gains have not yet reached ordinary households, many of whom still struggle with high food and transport costs.

Political debate

The state of the economy is a central issue in the 2027 campaign. Opposition candidates say the reforms have made life harder, while the government says it is cushioning the poor through cash transfers and credit schemes.

Several police officers are feared dead after suspected bandits attacked a bus carrying them along the Sokoto–Gusau road in Zamfara State on Monday, 2 November 2026.

What happened

The officers were travelling in a state mass transit bus, known locally as Bazamfara, towards Gusau, the state capital. According to police sources, they were on their way to provide security for the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Zamfara North senatorial district, which was taking place in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area. Sources said some officers were killed in the ambush and others were abducted by the attackers. The exact number of casualties had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.

Official response

The spokesman for the police zone covering the area reportedly confirmed the attack, but said he was in hospital and would issue an official statement later. The identities of the victims have not been released.

Background

Zamfara is one of the states worst affected by banditry in north-west Nigeria, with frequent attacks on travellers, villages and security personnel. Police officers are often deployed to provide security at party primaries and campaign events, and several political gatherings have been attacked in recent weeks as the 2027 elections approach. In neighbouring Niger State, gunmen abducted 14 Islamiyya students and their teacher at the weekend.

Primary result

The primary went ahead despite the attack. The APC later declared Sahabi Ya'u Kaura the winner of the fresh Zamfara North senatorial primary, held after a court invalidated the earlier exercise. He reportedly polled 49,176 votes, ahead of Tijjani Kaura with 9,628 and Abdullahi Sani Shinkafi with 6,206, winning in all four local government areas.

What happens next

Security agencies are expected to launch an operation to rescue the abducted officers, and the police are expected to release casualty figures.

Suspected bandits have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school and their teacher in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, police have confirmed.

What happened

The attack happened at about 12.30pm on Saturday, 31 October 2026, in Tungan-Bako village near Pandogari. According to the police, the students were helping their teacher harvest maize on his farm when armed men stormed the area and took them away.

Police statement

The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, 2 November. He said the number of students abducted was 14, correcting earlier reports that about 50 pupils had been seized. He said a joint team of security forces had been deployed to rescue the victims and that further updates would be given.

Background

Rafi and nearby local government areas in Niger State have suffered repeated attacks by armed groups in recent years, including mass abductions from schools and villages. Kidnapping for ransom remains a serious problem across north-west and north-central Nigeria, and farmers are often targeted during the harvest season. On the same day the abduction was confirmed, bandits ambushed a bus carrying police officers in neighbouring Zamfara State.

What happens next

Families and community leaders are calling for the quick and safe release of the students.