• Hackers gain control of the NBS website
• Dangote Refinery responds to NNPC’s allegation of $1 billion loan
• Ibadan funfair stampede claims lives of 32 children
• OPS blames cash scarcity on CBN’s policy limiting POS withdrawals
• NCS announce VAT removal on CNG and LPG

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

Hackers gain control of the NBS website 

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) was hacked by cybercriminals on the evening of Wednesday, December 18, as the website’s homepage displayed the words “Page Hacked” with a white background.

The NBS quickly announced the compromise of its agency’s website and advised that Nigerians ignore any report published on its site until it had been reclaimed.

“This is to inform the public that the NBS Website has been hacked and we are working to recover it. Please disregard any message or report posted until the website is fully restored. Thank you,” the agency said.

Dangote Refinery responds to NNPC’s allegation of $1 billion loan

Dangote Refinery has responded to the allegations made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), claiming that it had supported the refinery with a $ 1 billion loan.

In its statement, Dangote Refinery claimed that its partnership with the NNPC was agreed upon based on selling a 20% stake valued at $2.76 billion. Dangote Refinery was only mandated to pay $1 billion, while the rest would be paid over five years.

Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer described the comment as misleading.

“We would like to clarify that this is a misrepresentation of the situation as $1bn is just about 5% of the investment that went into building the Dangote Refinery,” Dangote refuted.

Ibadan funfair stampede claims lives of 32 children

A ghastly tragedy occurred at an Ibadan funfair event on Wednesday, December 18, claiming the lives of 32 children.

The Oyo State Police Command revealed that it was investigating the reason behind the stampede. Multiple witness reports claim that the stampede took effect when people tried to gain access to the venue organised by the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, and an Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat.

Further witness information revealed that the Prophetess had made provisions to host about 5,000 children. Still, the numbers present had exceeded her plans, increasing to 7,500 people, and the situation got out of hand, leading to the 32 children who were stampeded to death.

OPS blames cash scarcity on CBN’s policy limiting POS withdrawals

The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has openly disagreed with the CBN’s policy, which limits Point of Sale (POS) withdrawals, stating that the directive was to blame for the country’s cash scarcity.

The OPS described the policy as unfavourable, as the Central Bank of Nigeria was deemed out of touch with reality and, therefore, had no inkling of what was truly happening beyond its walls and across Nigeria.

The CBN had instructed a daily ₦1.2 million cash-out limit on all POS agents while customers were only entitled to ₦100,000 daily withdrawal and ₦500,000 weekly withdrawal.

NCS announce VAT removal on CNG and LPG

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced that it would remove the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The information was shared by its National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada who also said there would be a zero per cent import duty on the specified products.

“In addition, the following items are now zero-rated for Value Added Tax (VAT): feed gas for all processed gas, Compressed Natural Gas, imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas, CNG equipment components, conversion and installation services, LPG equipment components, conversion and installation services, and all equipment and infrastructure related to the expansion of CNG, LPG, and the Presidential CNG Initiative, including conversion kits.”