National News
NDLEA Stops Drugs from Nigeria into Brazil , UK
NDLEA Stops Drugs from Nigeria into Brazil , UK
By: Michael Mike
Illicit drugs imported from India and Ghana have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over the last one week.
Also intercepted are large quantities of methamphetamine at the Murtala Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during attempted smuggle to Brazil and United Kingdom.
In his usual weekend briefing of successes of the NDLEA, the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi also disclosed that a 64-year-old former Divisional Police Officer of Idanre Police station, Ondo state, who was dismissed from service for drug offences, Mr. Monday George Chika, has again been arrested with an accomplice, Emmanuel Eniola, 40, with 280 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 168 kilogrammes.
Babafemi said over 22,160 kilogrammes of codeine syrup, methamphetamine and skunk were seized at Apapa seaport and a notorious drug den, Akala in Mushin, Lagos State in two major operations in the state by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
He said while a total of 14,080 kilogrammes codeine syrup (8,080 litres) and 4,352.43 kilogrammes cold caps used to conceal the former in a 40ft container imported from India, were intercepted on Wednesday 2nd February, 2022 at the Apapa port, cannabis/loud/skunk imported from Ghana and methamphetamine weighing 3,727.7 kilogrammes were seized in an early morning raid at Akala, Mushin where 17 suspects including five females were arrested last Thursday.
He disclosed that the seizure at the Lagos seaport followed intelligence from foreign partners and cooperation of other stakeholders at the port.
Babafemi said at Akala, NDLEA Strike Force operatives in their numbers with support from the military stormed fortified warehouses in the drug den and evacuated bags and bottles of cannabis, loud, skunk, skuchies and methamphetamine as well as the 17 suspects for further investigation.
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The spokesman also revealed that a female drug kingpin, Mrs. Jemilat Seriki, who is one of the owners of 12,385 pellets of loud imported from Ghana and intercepted at Eko Atlantic beach, Victoria Island Lagos on Saturday 27th November 2021, has been arrested by narcotic officers after weeks of manhunt.
According to him, Mrs. Seriki, a.k.a Iya Ilorin admitted being one the owners of the consignments seized, adding that her bags of drugs had ‘Jah Bless’ written on them.
He added that when her consignments were eventually identified and sorted, she has 16 bags with the inscription containing drugs weighing 668.85 kilogrammes.
He said at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, attempts by some traffickers to export different quantities of methamphetamine to Brazil and United Kingdom were scuttled by narcotic officers at the airport.
According to him, the first bid was made on Friday 28th January through the SAHCO export shed where operatives intercepted 0.80 kilogrammes of Meth concealed in relaxer plastic container heading to the United Kingdom. A suspect, Akuta Chioma Lucy who presented the consignment for search had been arrested for further investigation.
The second attempt was on last Friday during the outward clearance of passengers at Gate ‘C’ Departure hall of the airport when an intending male passenger on Ethiopian Airline going to Brazil, Onyeaghala Chidi was intercepted with 500 grammes of Meth concealed inside three plastic hair relaxer containers.
He said also at the airport, a male passenger, Iliyasu Yushau, coming from Kampala, Uganda via Nairobi, Kenya was intercepted by operatives with 268 debit cards belonging to Access Bank, GTBank and Zenith Bank, during the inward clearance of passengers on the flight on Sunday 30th January.
In Edo State, operatives last Friday stormed the Igbogiri forest, Orhionwon local government area and destroyed four dry season cannabis farms measuring 3.1 hectares, following the evacuation of 20 bags of compressed blocks of Cannabis weighing 269.5 kilogrammes stored in a bush at Uzebba, Owan West local government area, the previous day and the arrest of Afadama James, 42, with 348 kilogrammes cannabis at Owan, Ovia North East local government area last Wednesday.
He noted that arrests were also made in Delta, Plateau, Niger States and in the FCT.
On the arrest in Niger state, Babafemi said a 64-year-old former Divisional Police Officer of Idanre Police station, Ondo state, who was dismissed from service for drug offences, Mr. Monday George Chika, has again been arrested with an accomplice, Emmanuel Eniola, 40, with 280 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 168 kilogrammes.
He said they were arrested on Sunday 30th Jan. in Mokwa, Niger state, after their Toyota Avalon car marked EKY 429 BZ (Lagos) loaded with the substance at Idanre and heading to Kanji, Borgu area of the state was intercepted.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended officers and men of the Strike Force, Apapa seaport, MMIA, Lagos, Niger, Edo, Borno, Plateau, Kwara, FCT and Delta Commands of the agency for the successful interdiction operations that led to the seizure of thousands of kilograms of illicit drugs from across the country in the past week. He charged them and their compatriots in other commands not to rest on their oars.
NDLEA Stops Drugs from Nigeria into Brazil , UK
Eid-el-Ftr: FG Declares Monday, Tuesday as Public Holiday
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Ftr festival, the celebration marking the end of the Ramadan Fast.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who extended heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
The statement, signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, conveyed the Minister’s warm wishes and urged all Muslims to embrace the virtues cultivated during Ramadan – self-discipline, compassion, generosity, and peace.
Tunji-Ojo, while emphasizing the significance of love, forgiveness, and solidarity as key elements in fostering a harmonious society, encouraged Nigerians to use the festive period for prayer, focusing on the peace, stability, and prosperity of the nation.
He expressed hope that the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr would serve as a catalyst for unity and cooperation, bridging divides across religious and ethnic lines.
The minister called on citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while remembering the less-privileged through acts of kindness and charity—keeping in line with the true spirit of Ramadan and Eid.
Eid-el-Ftr: FG Declares Monday, Tuesday as Public Holiday
3rd SDGs Film Challenge Launched by Nigeria, UN
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall, has described Nigeria as a storytelling powerhouse, urging
filmmakers to channel their creative force toward amplifying awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire on Wednesday in Abuja launched the 3rd Edition of the SDGs film Challenge
The film challenge which is a collaboration with the United Nations, aimed at mobilising filmmakers to use films to mobilise the nation towards achieving the SDGs.
The UN has set 2030 to achieve the SDGs which has 17 Goals aimed at improving standards of living across the globe.
Speaking at the launch, Fall said: “Nigeria is a storytelling powerhouse. Our Nollywood industry, which is among largest film industry in the world reaches millions across Africa and beyond. By channelling this creative force toward the SDGs, we are doing more than amplifying awareness.
“We are empowering young Nigerians to take ownership of the development narrative: to spotlight issues like gender inequality, climate change, and poverty, and to present solutions through the lens of sustainability.
“The UN in Nigeria stands firmly behind this mission. This year’s challenge — led by Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Information Centre, and Fresh NEWS builds on the remarkable momentum of past editions.
“From 73 entries in 2023 to an astonishing 2,250 entries from 119 countries last year, the message is clear: young people are not waiting on the sidelines. They are ready to create, to lead, and to transform their world.
“Globally, the UN Secretary-General has underscored the vital role of youth and digital innovation in driving the 2030 Agenda forward. The SDGs Film Challenge embodies this vision. It aligns with Chapter IV of the Pact for the Future, recognizing youth and future generations as key architects of sustainable development.
“To all filmmakers, producers, and actors across Nigeria: this is your moment. Let your cameras roll.
“Let your stories stir our collective conscience. Whether your lens captures the struggle of a girl fighting for her education or the resilience of communities battling environmental degradation — your voice matters.
“Let’s make 2025 a year where stories drive change, where creativity fuels progress, and where Nigeria leads the charge in storytelling for sustainable development.”
on her part, Orelope-Adefulire said “The SDG Film Challenge is an initiative designed to mobilise filmmakers in this decade of action to accelerate the achievement of the SDG.”
She invited creators to produce impactful short films that highlight development challenges and offer solutions and direct action on critical issues such as poverty, illiteracy, gender equality, climate change, and social justice.
She added: “It is also an opportunity to provide information and to generate hope through our many narratives.
“We challenge them to educate, to provoke conversations and direct action towards achieving more that reduces the violence faced and threatens our planet. The success of this initiative over the past two editions is a testament to the power of partnership and creativity.”
She also stressed that “This year we are introducing a new strategy including training and capacity-building programmes for all the hosting and training sessions with filmmakers who will be stationed in this regard for their future training.
“With today’s launch, the online quarter is officially open for filmmakers to submit short films, multiple films, addressing selected issues.”
She revealed that three finalists will be shortlisted, from the entries with winners receiving prizes, global excursions, and additional opportunities.
Participants are expected to also benefit from the exchange of programme and mentoring initiatives.
3rd SDGs Film Challenge Launched by Nigeria, UN
Vice President Kashim Shettima Arrives for Body of Benchers Annual Lecture in Abuja
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the maiden edition of the Body of Benchers Annual Lecture in Abuja, where he is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Body of Benchers is a body of legal practitioners of the highest distinction in Nigeria, with the primary responsibility of administering the formal call to the Bar for individuals seeking to become legal practitioners.
The theme of this year’s lecture is: “Half-a-Century of the Body of Benchers: The Past, the Present, and the Future of Maintaining the Ethics of the Legal Profession in Nigeria.”
The lecture will also feature the public presentation of the report of the directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
Vice President Kashim Shettima Arrives for Body of Benchers Annual Lecture in Abuja
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