The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed that a Nigerian national, Jubril Akorede Abdulrahman, who was injured in a gas facility explosion in Qatar, has been discharged from hospital and is recuperating.

This was disclosed in a statement sent to Naija News and signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM.

The commission said Abdulrahman is currently recovering at accommodation provided by his employer.

The explosion occurred at the Barzan Gas Supply Facility in Ras Laffan, Qatar, on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, confirmed that the explosion happened at about 10:30pm local time at the facility operated by Qatar Energy.

At a press conference in Doha on June 22, Qatar Energy said the explosion was accidental and not an act of sabotage or hostility.

The facility had reportedly been restarted recently after a planned operational shutdown that began in December 2025.

Emergency teams from Qatar Energy and Qatar Civil Defence were deployed and brought the fire under control.

The explosion left 66 people injured, including nationals of Qatar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, India and Nepal.

NiDCOM said none of the injured persons was in a life-threatening condition.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed relief over Abdulrahman’s discharge and sympathised with others still receiving treatment.

“We are glad that Jubril Abdulrahman is recovering and in safe hands. Our prayers are with him and with everyone still receiving treatment,” she said.

Dabiri-Erewa urged Qatar Energy to sustain support for all injured workers and ensure that Abdulrahman and others affected receive adequate care throughout their recovery.

The commission commended Ambassador Yakubu for his prompt intervention and monitoring of Abdulrahman’s condition after news of the incident broke.

NiDCOM said the ambassador’s action reflected the dedicated consular service Nigerians abroad deserve.

Source: naijanews.com

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over ₦9.4 billion, $21.2 million and several landed properties in its ongoing investigation into alleged diversion of funds released for the rehabilitation and turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries.

Based on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s official exchange rate of ₦1,380 to a dollar posted on Friday, the $21.2m recovered amounts to about ₦29.26bn, bringing the total cash recovery so far to approximately ₦38.66bn.

The recoveries form part of a wide-ranging probe into the management of billions of dollars released for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries.

According to Premium Times, sources familiar with the investigation said the probe centres on allegations of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, diversion of public funds, economic sabotage, abuse of office and money laundering.

Those under scrutiny include officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), its subsidiary, NNPC Engineering and Technical Company Limited, former and serving managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, as well as major contractors, including Daewoo Engineering Nigeria Limited and Tecnimont SPA.

Between 2021 and 2023, the Federal Government, through NNPCL, awarded refinery rehabilitation contracts worth about $2.79bn.

The contracts included about $740.7m for the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, $492.3m for the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company and $1.56bn for the Port Harcourt Refining Company.

Despite the huge financial commitment, investigators said they found no evidence of corresponding improvements in the operational status of the refineries.

According to EFCC sources, substantial portions of the funds were allegedly diverted, misappropriated or fraudulently disbursed by officials entrusted with executing the projects.

Investigators reportedly reviewed procurement procedures, contract payments, project execution levels and alleged weaknesses in financial controls.

More than 30 top NNPCL officials and over 50 officials of contractors and subcontractors involved in the rehabilitation contracts have reportedly been questioned.

The commission also sought information from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and several commercial banks as part of the investigation.

One of the officials named in the probe, Ahmed Dikko, a former managing director of the Port Harcourt Refinery, was accused of abusing due process in the execution of the refinery rehabilitation contract.

Investigators alleged that Dikko approved direct payments to contractors from provisional sum funds, contrary to contractual provisions requiring such contractors to be engaged and paid by Tecnimont.

The EFCC said it traced ₦983.9m, $227,030 and three landed properties to him, which investigators said he could not satisfactorily explain.

An interim forfeiture order has reportedly been secured over the properties, while prosecutors are preparing charges.

Investigators also established what they described as a prima facie case against a senior Warri refinery official, Jimoh Yisawu.

Yisawu was accused of approving payments to unqualified third-party contractors, authorising inflated invoices and approving contractual mark-ups amounting to more than $10m and nearly ₦8bn.

He was also accused of approving payment vouchers without required cash-back arrangements, allegedly causing losses of about $7.47m and ₦1.89bn in tax revenue.

Investigators said more than ₦1.4bn and four landed properties were traced to him, with the properties placed under interim forfeiture pending prosecution.

EFCC sources said the recovered ₦9.4bn and $21.2m had been paid into the commission’s recovery accounts.

An additional $2.32m was reportedly recovered through the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Investigators also disclosed that a separate case involving alleged revenue fraud of $28.39m and ₦665m had been established against the management of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, with efforts underway to recover the funds.

The EFCC said the probe remained ongoing and that additional recoveries and prosecutions were expected as more evidence emerged.

Nigeria has four state-owned refineries, including two in Port Harcourt, with a combined installed capacity of 210,000 barrels per day.

The Kaduna refinery has an installed capacity of 110,000 barrels per day, while the Warri refinery has 125,000 barrels per day, bringing the combined national refining capacity to 445,000 barrels per day.

Despite repeated funding for repairs and rehabilitation over the years, the refineries have continued to suffer operational setbacks and have not operated at optimal capacity for decades.

The Warri Refinery, which reopened in December 2024, shut down in January 2025 due to safety issues, while NNPC later announced maintenance-related outages at the Port Harcourt Refinery.

Following the failure to fully revive the facilities, the Federal Government and NNPCL have continued to seek strategic investors and technical partners to restore the refineries and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

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The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has launched a new toll-free 3367 short-code hotline to enable residents report traffic-related emergencies and improve emergency response across the state.

The initiative, unveiled by the agency, is aimed at strengthening traffic management, promoting accountability and encouraging greater public participation in road transportation administration in Lagos.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the new platform replaces the agency’s former long-service code with a more accessible, technology-driven and user-friendly communication system.

It noted that motorists and other road users can use the hotline to report vehicular breakdowns, road crashes, disabled articulated vehicles, stranded tankers, traffic obstructions and other emergencies requiring immediate attention.

The agency added that the platform would also provide members of the public with a channel to report the conduct, professionalism and operational activities of LASTMA officials, a move aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and service delivery.

According to the statement, callers can communicate with hotline operators in English, Yoruba or Pidgin English to ensure effective communication and encourage wider public participation regardless of language.

Speaking on the initiative, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the launch of the hotline as another major step in the agency’s commitment to protecting lives, improving traffic flow and delivering a more responsive, technology-driven and citizen-focused traffic management system.

He said the introduction of the platform reflects LASTMA’s determination to deploy innovative digital solutions to address transportation challenges while strengthening collaboration with road users.

“The inauguration of the Toll-Free Short-Code Hotline represents another monumental stride towards institutionalising a safer, more efficient and highly responsive transportation ecosystem across Lagos State. It provides residents with a direct, convenient and cost-free channel through which incidents requiring immediate intervention can be promptly reported,” Bakare-Oki stated.

The General Manager also noted that the size and rapid growth of Lagos as one of Africa’s leading megacities require a proactive and technology-driven traffic management system capable of responding quickly to emerging transportation challenges.

He assured residents that every report received through the platform would be treated with professionalism, confidentiality and diligence before being forwarded to the appropriate operational units for immediate action.

Bakare-Oki urged members of the public to make full use of the new hotline, describing it as an important tool for improving road safety, promoting accountability and supporting the collective goal of building a safer, more efficient and sustainable transportation system across Lagos State.

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