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Customs Intercepts Contraband Worth N2.8bn In Owerri, Arrests 13 Suspects

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The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ’C’, Owerri, of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted contraband goods valued N2.8 billion between January 25 and March 25.

The unit also arrested 13 suspected smugglers during the period.

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Acting Comptroller of the NCS in the zone, Mr Kayode Kolade, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, made the declaration on Wednesday in Owerri when he addressed newsmen.

He explained that the value of the goods intercepted was N2.7 billion, while the balance of N61.4 million was for demand notices it raised based on some infractions.

He listed the seized items to include five sacks of pangolin scales, 398 sacks of Indian hemp, weighing 8,756kg and another 2,308 compressed parcels of Indian hemp of 1kg each.

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Pangolin scales are used in the manufacture of finger and toe nails, NAN reported.

READ ALSO: Men Arrested For Printing Fake Naira, Dollar Notes

Others seizures were 2,600 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup packed in 26 cartons, three exotic bulletproof vehicles, 931 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing and 484 bags of smuggled rice.

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Also intercepted were 31 cartons of various medicaments including tramadol; 32 jerry cans of petrol and 540 pieces of used tyres.

“After reviewing and re-jigging our operational modalities, the unit intercepted contrabands with a duty paid value of N2.8 billion between January 25 and March 25.

“Remarkably, the five sacks of pangolin scales weighing 413.1kg and the 11,064kg of Indian hemp are the highest, if not arguably the first seizure of such endangered species and hard drugs in the history of the zone.

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“Effort towards combating illicit trade in endangered species is to ensure that such animals don’t go into extinction.

“Nigeria, a signatory to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species categorises the scales under absolute prohibition making its importation or trade illegal,’’ Kolade said.

READ ALSO: Tips To Avoid Leaked Phone Conversation

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He added that the Pangolin scales were intercepted on the Benin-Lagos Expressway and the Indian hemp on Ewu-Auchi Road and on the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway.

“The container conveying the 518 bales of used clothes was intercepted on the Benin-Okada Road.

“The second container conveying the 392 jumbo bales of used clothing was intercepted on Umuikaa-Aba Road.

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“The consignments were mostly concealed in heavy-duty trucks, and buses.

READ ALSOFull List Of Forbes’ 25 World Billionaires In 2023

“The cartons of cough syrup with codeine, and cartons of unregistered medicaments including tramadol were all intercepted on the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway.

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“The bags of rice were intercepted on Benin-Okada Expressway, while the used tyres were intercepted on the Ihiala-Onitsha Road and Cross River Waterside, respectively,’’ he said.

Kolade added that the three exotic armoured vehicles without customs documents and End User Certificates were intercepted on the Patani-Bayelsa-Port Harcourt Expressway.

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Man Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute

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A deadly confrontation occurred on Wednesday in the Mandilas area of Lagos Island, leaving one person dead after a stabbing incident.

The Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, through CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Police Public Relations Officer, clarified in a statement made available to The PUNCH that there was no tribal clash or ethnic conflict at Balogun Market, where the incident took place.

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According to the police, “The Lagos State Police Command hereby wish to inform the general public that there was no tribal clash or disturbance between any ethnic groups and others inside Balogun Market today.

READ ALSO:Man Stabs Lover To Death In Rivers Over Cheating Allegation

There was an incident of a free-for-all fight between some hoodlums and miscreants in the Balogun Market in the early hours of today at around 11 am.

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“During the fight, one Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death, and the said Ebuka Adindu in turn stabbed himself on the shoulder and became unconscious. He is currently under arrest in the hospital, where he is being treated.

“Investigation into the matter will be concluded, and he will be prosecuted after he has been discharged from the hospital. There was no loss of innocent lives or injury to any person or damage to the goods and properties of marketers inside Balogun Market.”

READ ALSO:Gunmen Stab Ogun Bizman To Death

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The police emphasised that no innocent lives were lost beyond the victim, no other injuries were reported, and there was no damage to goods or property at the market.

Normalcy has been restored, and residents and traders have been urged to continue their activities without fear.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the police to sustain peace in the state, stressing that Lagos remains generally peaceful.

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READ ALSO:My Husband Leaves Home Whenever We Have Misunderstanding, Woman Tells Court

Eyewitnesses said the conflict began as a disagreement between the two men over the division of money from a recent job. The argument escalated, resulting in the fatal stabbing.

Bystanders reportedly restrained the attacker before handing him over to authorities. Tensions briefly flared again when friends of the deceased protested, but order was quickly restored.

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Police Rescue 16 Kidnap Victims Along Benin-Lagos Road

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The Edo State Police Command has rescued 16 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations along the Benin–Lagos and Benin–Akure highways.

Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the operations followed separate incidents on August 23, 2025, when armed kidnappers blocked sections of the highways and abducted several travellers.

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According to the statement, distress calls prompted the swift mobilisation of operatives from the Iguobazuwa and Ekiadolor Divisions, supported by tactical teams, local vigilantes, and hunters. The teams embarked on intensive bush-combing operations to track the abductors and free the victims.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Eight Members Of Armed Robbery Syndicate In Delta

It was noted in the statement that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led the operation along the Benin–Akure axis, deploying drones and other technical support to enhance precision.

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Six victims were rescued along the Benin–Akure Road, including one with a gunshot injury who is now receiving treatment. Three more victims were freed on the Benin–Lagos Road, while an additional seven regained their freedom on August 25,” the statement read.

Agbonika commended the operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters for their collaboration, stressing that the partnership between security agencies and communities remains vital in tackling violent crime.

He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to rescue remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators, adding that the command would continue to deploy human and technological resources to secure Edo highways.

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Suspected Cultists Invade Rivers Compound, Rob Students, Residents

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Suspected cultists on Wednesday attacked a residential compound at Ekwulobia Street in the Mile 3 area of Diobu, Port Harcourt, breaking into tenants’ rooms and stealing valuables.

Two of the victims were female university students in the state.

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Stolen items included laptops, mobile phones, and other personal belongings.

It was gathered that the gang, reportedly led by a man named Graham, gained access to the compound by breaking a back window and removing the iron protector.

READ ALSO:Man Stabs Lover To Death In Rivers Over Cheating Allegation

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One of the victims, David Eze, who lives on the second floor, narrated the ordeal to newsmen, saying he and other tenants are now living in fear.

He said, “I live upstairs on the second floor. Around 4 a.m., I woke up and found that my two phones and laptop were missing. I didn’t hear anything during the night, so I suspect they came in quietly.

“When I stepped out to raise the alarm, I discovered that other tenants had also been robbed.

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“My door had been pierced with a knife, and someone had manipulated the lock to gain entry. They took my laptop and phones. By the time I came downstairs, security personnel and my co-tenants were already outside, reporting the incident.”

READ ALSO:26-year-old Nigerian Fatally Stabbed In London

Similarly, a female resident who identified herself as Chidinma recounted a terrifying encounter

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“Last night (Tuesday), I woke up to a noise and saw a young man standing beside my bed with a knife. He told me not to shout, threatening to stab me if I did. I was very scared.

“He took my phone and my brother’s two phones before leaving. It felt unreal, like a dream,” she said.

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums broke into four rooms in total, making away with five mobile phones, one laptop, and an unspecified amount of cash.

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READ ALSO:Man Stabs 11 People At Walmart Store In US

Two kitchen knives were left behind when the criminals fled after being chased by members of a local vigilante group who arrived at the scene.

Residents confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Azikiwe Police Division, Illabouchi, in Mile 2, Diobu.

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When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe Koko, said she would follow up with the Divisional Police Officer and provide feedback.

As of Wednesday evening, no update had been received.

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