News
Hong Kong, France, Oman-bound traffickers arrested at Abuja, Lagos airports with illicit drugs
Hong Kong, France, Oman-bound traffickers arrested at Abuja, Lagos airports with illicit drugs
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two businessmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja with consignments of cocaine and heroin going to Hong Kong and France concealed in their bellies.
A statement on Sunday by spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi read that while 38-year-old ThankGod Emenike was arrested at the boarding gate of the Abuja airport on Friday 20th October during the outward clearance of passengers on Air France flight 818 to Paris, another passenger, 41-year-old Agbo Chidike was taken into NDLEA custody on Saturday 21st October while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 950 to Hong Kong via Addis Ababa.
He said they were both arrested and detained after their body scan revealed they ingested illicit drugs, adding that after days in custody and a number of excretions, Emenike excreted 72 wraps of heroin weighing 1.171 kilogrammes, while Chidike discharged 49 pellets of cocaine with a total weight of 998.53 grammes.

Babafemi said in his statement, Chidike claimed he is a businessman dealing in spare parts at the Alaba International market in Ojo area of Lagos, even as he added that he was to be paid N3.5 million which he intended to use to import goods from Hong Kong.
The spokesman also revealed that NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos last Wednesday intercepted a Qatar Airways flight passenger going to Oman, Agbo Tochukwu with a consignment of 58 parcels of skunk weighing 29.1 kilogrammes while undergoing processes to board his flight at the Terminal 11 of the airport. Tochukwu, in his statement was said to have claimed he relocated to Oman on 6th May and has been working as hotel attendant there before venturing into drug trafficking.

Babafemi equally disclosed that a total of 2,197 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered in four interdiction operations in parts of Ondo state within four days. He said while 1,165.5 kilogrammes were seized in Uso, Owo local government area last Wednesday, a consignment of 691 kilogrammes were recovered from Ukugu forest in Ipele the previous day, Tuesday . He said a suspect, Ifeanyi Abuguja, 32, was arrested with 87 kilogrammes of same substance last Monday at Agula Road, Ogbese, Akure North local government area, while 253.5 kilogrammes were recovered at Ogbese market in Akure North local government area last Thursday.
In Oyo state, two suspects: Ayo Dele, 19, and Olaitan Ahmed, 23, were arrested with 160 grammes of cannabis at a drug joint at Nalende area of Ibadan metropolis on Sunday 22nd October while a follow up operation at their warehouse in the same area led to the recovery of 332 kilogrammes of the same substance.
He said operatives of the Lagos Command of the agency intercepted and recovered a vehicle loaded with 209 kilogrammes of Loud at Okun Ajah area of the state last Monday, their counterparts in Gombe last Saturday recovered an abandoned consignment of 401 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 392 kilogrammes and 21,000 capsules of tramadol at Tumfure area of the state.
In the early hours of today Sunday (yesterday), NDLEA operatives in Edo state stormed the Utese forest in Ovia North East local government area where they evacuated a total of 2,931.3 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa from a warehouse in the forest.
The spokesman said the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign of the agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week. He noted that some of them include: WADA town hall sensitization lecture by Zone E command in collaboration with Kano and Jigawa commands of the agency for 108 principals of secondary schools in Dutse Emirate; same lecture for students and teachers of Nkpoghoro community secondary school, Afikpo, Ebonyi state; students and teachers of Government Secondary School and Community Comprehensive School, both in Abua/Odual local government area, Rivers state as well as WADA sensitisation lecture at Durbar Grammar School, Durbar, Oyo state.
Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Edo and Gombe Commands for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the agency to maintain the offensive action tempo and strive to surpass previous records while maintaining a balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.
Hong Kong, France, Oman-bound traffickers arrested at Abuja, Lagos airports with illicit drugs
News
Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey
Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey
By: Zagazola Makama
Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu’s appointment as the new Chief of Army Staff marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to consolidate gains in the fight against insurgency and strengthen national security.
Before his elevation to the apex position in the Nigerian Army, Gen. Shuaibu served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North-East, where his 14-month tenure was defined by tactical innovation, operational success, and deep civil-military engagement. His leadership transformed the counter-insurgency landscape, restoring relative stability to vast areas once dominated by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
Upon assuming command of OPHK, Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu prioritized operational readiness, launching an extensive refurbishment of key military assets to boost troop morale and combat capability. He spearheaded the repair of vital armoured platforms, including ten VP1 Type 89 APCs, five BMPs, three Steyr APCs, and six Camel MRAPs, ensuring optimal deployment for the 2024 dry-season operations.
These efforts culminated in the historic deep-clearance operations into Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuktu Triangle in early 2024, which dealt devastating blows to terrorist hideouts, supply chains, and command structures. His coordinated offensive operations neutralized more than 567 terrorists and dismantled several high-value enemy enclaves between February 2024 and March 2025.
Under his leadership, the integration of air and ground components reached new heights. The Nigerian Air Force component executed over 230 sorties and 232 interdiction missions, clocking more than 567 flight hours, while the UAV Command carried out 760 ISR operations totaling 6,674 hours. These precision missions enhanced battlefield awareness, enabling ground troops to conduct over 9,800 patrols, 2,700 ambushes, and 990 clearance operations with high success rates.
Intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of 161 terrorist logisticians and the surrender of over 121,000 insurgents and their families — a remarkable milestone that shifted the dynamics of the North-East conflict toward peacebuilding and reintegration.
Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s counter-insurgency philosophy went beyond the battlefield. He introduced the Local Community Policing and Peace Enforcement (LCPPE) model in February 2024 — an initiative that deepened trust between the military and local communities. This approach paved the way for stabilization operations, including the resettlement of more than 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kukawa and other restored communities.
He also promoted civil-military cooperation through humanitarian and religious initiatives, including a Qur’anic Recitation Competition aimed at fostering moral resilience and unity among troops and civilians. Three participants were later sponsored for the Hajj pilgrimage — a gesture that reinforced goodwill and trust.
A hallmark of his tenure was the focus on infrastructure and troop welfare. He initiated the renovation and modernization of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Headquarters complex, constructed new escort and drivers’ lounges, refurbished soldiers’ accommodation, and built 30 two-bedroom community-based quarters for military families.
Additionally, the installation of long-range surveillance cameras in Monguno, Gajiram, and Kekeno enhanced operational intelligence and perimeter monitoring, further strengthening theatre-wide security.
Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s command period witnessed the elimination of several notorious terrorist leaders, including Tahir Baga and Abu Rijal, whose deaths crippled jihadist coordination and recruitment. His effective decapitation strategy was complemented by humanitarian outreach, leading to a steady return of normalcy in major population centres across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
In recognition of these achievements, the North-East Theatre under his command received the Security Watch Africa Award in December 2024 as the Most Outstanding Defence Command in Africa, underscoring the effectiveness of his leadership and innovation in asymmetric warfare.
Now as Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shuaibu is expected to replicate his transformative approach on a national scale. Security analysts and defence watchers believe his deep operational experience and emphasis on community-driven stability will guide the Nigerian Army toward renewed efficiency and professionalism.
His appointment signals continuity, discipline, and modernization — values he consistently championed throughout his command. Stakeholders within defence and civil sectors alike express optimism that his era will usher in strategic reforms to fortify Nigeria’s military capabilities and accelerate victory against insecurity.
Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu’s rise from Theatre Commander to Army Chief embodies the success of merit, dedication, and results-oriented leadership, a journey rooted in courage, intellect, and an unyielding commitment to peace and stability in Nigeria.
Waidi Shuaibu: from Theartre Commander to Army Chief — chronicling a transformative leadership journey
News
Yobe: New commissioner for the livestock ministry, Hon. Yerima Mahmoud, promises to deliver on the mandate
Yobe: New commissioner for the livestock ministry, Hon. Yerima Mahmoud, promises to deliver on the mandate
By: Yahaya Wakili
The newly appointed Commissioner of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Hon. Yarima Lawan Mahmoud, has expressed his gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, for giving him another opportunity to save the people of the state.
Hon. Yarima Lawan Mahmoud disclosed this today when he received the delegation from his local government led by the party chairman, Alhaji Ba Mariu Mohammed.
He reaffirmed his commitment to work closely with the local government authority and the party executives to strengthen the life of our people.
Earlier speaking, the leader of the delegation, who is also the party chairman of the Yunusari local government area, Alhaji Ba Mariu Mohammed, said they were at the Yarima Lawan Mahmoud residence to congratulate him on his recent appointment as a commissioner in the ministry of livestock development.
Alhaji Ba Mohammed further said the visit will also allow them to discuss areas of mutual collaboration aimed at improving the unity of the members of the party.
The commissioner then thanks the delegations who took their time to come from Yunusari to Damaturu to congratulate him on his appointment and pray to Almighty Allah to return them back home safely.
Yobe: New commissioner for the livestock ministry, Hon. Yerima Mahmoud, promises to deliver on the mandate
News
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has said the principles of the United Nations Charter offers guidance to Nigeria and other African countries bedeviled by terrorism and other violent conflicts.
The message was given by the Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of United Nations.
Ochogwu said: “Today, October 24, 2025, marks exactly 80 years since the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. As the world commemorates this historic milestone, we are reminded of the enduring vision of the Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. This vision remains profoundly relevant to Africa and to Nigeria, where the pursuit of peace, justice, and inclusive development continues to shape our collective aspirations.
“In today’s complex and rapidly changing security environment, the principles of the Charter, namely sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international law offer essential guidance. Across Africa, the persistence of violent conflicts, terrorism, and governance challenges underscores the urgent need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and mediation capacities. Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and her experience in regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution affirm our commitment to these ideals and to the transformative role of international law in sustaining peace and security.
“The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) stands as a bridge between national policy and global peace initiatives. We reaffirm our partnership with the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other stakeholders to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and institution-building. In this decade of action, we must deepen investments in peace infrastructure, youth empowerment, and cross-border cooperation to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
He added that: “As we look to the future of the United Nations in Africa, the challenge before us is clear: to make peace sustainable, justice accessible, and security inclusive. The continued faith of Member States and communities in the principles of the UN Charter is an enduring source of hope for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous continent.”
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
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