National News
NDLEA saves UK, US from 62.3kg Cannabis
NDLEA saves UK, US from 62.3kg Cannabis
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 62.3 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa at the Lagos Airport from being transported to the United Kingdom and United States.
Also an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into the country through the Lagos Seaport was foiled.
These were among the successes recorded by the anti-narcotics agency in the last one week, according to the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Babafemi said attempts by drug traffickers to export 73 parcels of cannabis (34.05 kilogrammes) concealed in foodstuff plastic containers to the United Kingdom through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos were frustrated by operatives on 8th January, same way another 50 parcels of cannabis consignment (27.25 kilogrammes) meant for the United States was also intercepted at the export shed of the airport on Tuesday 11th January and at least three suspects so far arrested.
He also said in a reverse bid, moves by illicit drug merchants to bring into Nigeria 94 parcels of cannabis indica (Colorado) weighing 43.4 kilogrammes through the Tincan Island seaport in Lagos were crushed on 13th January when operatives intercepted the drug inside a 40ft container from Canada.
He disclosed that the exhibit was concealed inside a Toyota Camry car. This came on the heels of a similar seizure on 11th January of 59 parcels of Colorado (17.3 kilogrammes) concealed in a Mercedes Benz vehicle imported from Canada.
In interceptions within the country, Babafemi said about 1.5 million tablets and capsules of pharmaceutical opioids such as Tramadol, Exol-5 and Diazepam loaded in Onitsha, Anambra state and heading to Yauri, Kebbi state were intercepted in Edo state by operatives last Friday, same day 425,000 Diazepam tablets were recovered at Segemu, Kano.
He said in addition, over N1.4 million was seized along with arms and ammunition from a suspected bandit and a drug kingpin in Plateau state, while over 137.8 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs were recovered during interdiction operations across seven states in the past week.
He said acting on credible intelligence, operatives in Edo state last Friday intercepted a trailer coming from Onitsha and going to Yauri in Kebbi State and during a thorough search some psychotropic substances which were concealed under legitimate goods were discovered.
He disclosed that the drugs seized include: 394,480 capsules and 3,000 tablets of Tramadol weighing 83.7 kilogrammes; Exol-5: 647,500 tablets weighing 203.3 kilogrammes; Diazepam: 12,500 tablets weighing 2.1 kilogrammes; Bromazepam: 1,500 tablets weighing 0.5 kilogrammes m; Codeine based Syrup: 999 bottles weighing 134.9 kilogrammes; Pentazocine injections: 4,000 ampoules weighing 16.6 kilogrammes.
He said the driver of the truck, Bashir Lawali, 30 years, was arrested along with Abubakar Sani, 30 years, and Ali Abubakar, 19 years, while the exhibits in Kano were seized from one Sa’idu Yahya, 31 years.
According to him, in Plateau state, a fake security agent, Babagana Ma’aji was arrested through a controlled delivery of 5.6 kilogrammes cannabis from Lagos. The suspect based in Damaturu, Yobe state, was nabbed following the interception of a commercial bus bringing the consignment from Lagos to Gombe in Mararaban Jos on 8th January.
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Also in Plateau State, last Tuesday operatives of the Plateau command of the agency arrested a suspected bandit, Abdullahi Usman Ahmad, 28years at Hwolshe with One Beretta pistol; seven rounds of live ammunition; two empty shells; 12 grammes of cannabis sativa; a pair of handcuffs and N1.1 million suspected to be ransom money as well as an Opel car with registration number ZAR 35 LQ.
He said still in Plateau State, leader of a cocaine distribution ring in the state, Chibueze Okoro John, 42 years was arrested along Zaria road, Jos, with quantities of cocaine and Tramadol recovered from him as well as a Sienna Bus (BWR 584 AL), Toyota Camry car (RBC 461 BF) and the sum of N 277,000 which the suspect offered to the narcotic officers as bribe but was rejected.
Babafemi said in Delta state, the bid by 38-year-old Ejike Obiora, to smuggle different quantities of cocaine and heroin into the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South local government area was foiled on 8th January, when he was discovered to have concealed the drugs in foodstuffs meant for an inmate, while 598 kilogrammes cannabis was recovered during a raid in Owo area of Ondo state with the two owners: Arataye Raimi, 41 years, and Tope Osinnuwa, 36 years, eventually arrested in follow up operations.
The NDLEA spokesman said one Abdullahi Mohammed was arrested in connection with the seizure of 48.5 blocks of cannabis in Potiskum, Yobe state, and another fake security agent, Dike Davison was nabbed at Aliade, Benue state with 50 grammes of cannabis and 29 rounds of live ammunition of 7.62mm caliber.
He said in Abuja, a buy and bust operation last Friday led to the arrest of one Habib Yusif, 41 years, with a total of 28.2 kilogrammes cannabis recovered from him, while in Osun state, the trio of Samuel Joseph; Francis Ujor and Sola Johnson were arrested in Onikoko village Area 5, Ile-Ife, with 100 bags of cannabis weighing 1,530 kilogrammes recovered from them last Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), while commending the officers and men of the various commands for their remarkable efforts, assured them that their sacrifices, dedication to duty and exceptional feats will not go without commensurate commendation and rewards.
NDLEA saves UK, US from 62.3kg Cannabis
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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