Metro
NDLEA Arrests 70-year-old Grandpa, Intercepts N2.1bn Codeine, Loud Consignments[PHOTOS]

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has seized codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain worth over N2.1 billion at the Port Harcourt seaports and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
This was made known in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and shared on the agency’s website on Sunday.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives arrested a 70-year-old grandfather with 57.2kg of cannabis in Nasarawa State, and two suspects with 426kg of cannabis in Ekiti State.
Other arrests were made in the FCT, Katsina, and Nasarawa.
READ ALSO: NDLEA Arrests Physically Challenged With 178 Grams Of Tramadol, Others In Edo
The statement said, “Large consignments of codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis worth over N2.1bn in street value have been intercepted at the Port Harcourt seaports, Onne and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
“At the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers with the cooperation of other security agencies on Friday 31st May 2024 intercepted a large consignment of Loud, packed in eight suitcases, containing 320 parcels with a total weight of 164.50kg of the strong psychoactive substance coming from Canada on a KLM flight via Amsterdam, Netherlands.
“The consignment estimated to be worth N960m which was brought in by a passenger, Ughenu Nnaife Francis was discovered at the E-arrival hall of the airport by personnel of NDLEA, Customs and others during a joint search operation by the security operatives while the suspect was attempting to smuggle the suitcases out of the hall.”
According to the statement, the suspect arrested at the Lagos airport claimed he was recruited to transport drugs from Canada to Nigeria for a fee of 6 million naira.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: NDLEA Arrests Paris-bound Businessman With 111 Wraps Of Cocaine
He said he was a resident of Germany but travelled to Toronto to collect the drugs. He was caught with a large consignment of Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain, worth 960 million naira.
NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex seized a container from India containing 1,750 cartons of codeine, weighing 26,250kg and valued at N1.225 billion. The container marked TEMU 6807401, was destined for Enugu and was discovered during a joint examination by NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies.
NDLEA operatives also arrested a 25-year-old woman, Blessing Thomas, in Abuja on May 31st, after finding 1kg of methamphetamine in her possession. She was travelling by bus from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa state, when she was caught along the Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.
The statement added, “In the same vein, operatives in Nasarawa state on Wednesday 29th May nabbed a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the state capital.
READ ALSO: NDLEA Nabs Pregnant Woman, Widow Over N3.2m Counterfeit Cash, Other Substances
“Two suspects: Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20, were arrested when NDLEA officers raided Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti in Ekiti state where they recovered 426 kilograms of cannabis sativa already processed and packed in big sacks, while they destroyed over 4,000kg of same substance on 1.66 hectares of farmland on Thursday 30th May.
“In Katsina state,76 blocks of cannabis weighing 42kg were seized from a Nigerien, Suleman Audu, 29, when he was arrested by NDLEA officers along Zaria – Malumfashi road on Wednesday 29th May.”
Metro
FULL LIST: Police Arrest Suspects Involved In Death Of Arise TV Presenter

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest of 12 suspects involved in the armed robbery incident that led to the death of Arise TV presenter, Somtochukwu Maduagwu.
According to the police, the suspects are: Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ from Katsina State, Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22 years from Kaduna, Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. abba ‘m’, 27 years from Katsina, Sani Sirajo a.k.a. dan borume ‘m’ 20 years from Katsina, Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. abba ‘m’ 28 years from Kaduna and Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. dan-sule ‘m’ 21 years from Katsina.
Others are Abdul Salam saleh a.k.a. na-durudu ‘m’ from Katsina, Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. gwaska ‘m’ 23 years from Kaduna, Musa adamu a.k.a. musa hassan ‘m’ 30 years from Katsina, Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. baby ‘m’ 27 years from Kaduna, Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. abbati ‘m’, 25 years from Kaduna and Musa Umar a.k.a. small ‘m’ 31 years from Borno.
READ ALSO:ARISE News Broadcaster Killed In Abuja
The police added that shortly after the robbery incident, four (4) of the suspects Shamsudeen Hassan, Alkamu, Sirajo and one other person were apprehended through the tracking of phones stollen from the apartment during the robbery.
“During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment,” the statement read.
“Sani Sirajo confessed to have tried to hold Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.
“Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove the white honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation. The four suspects admitted that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.”
READ ALSO:FG Gives Overstaying Foreigners Ultimatum To Regularise Visa
Recovered exhibits include: One fabricated ak-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four mobile phones of the victims, two sharp knives, one cutlass and nine torchlights used during the operation.
The police said: “In continuation of investigations, yesterday, 08/10/2025, acting on a tip-off and actionable digital intelligence also provided by us, the remaining members of the gang, Musa umar a.k.a. small, Hassan Isah and other accomplices involved in the Gishiri robbery were intercepted while enroute to an already planned armed robbery operation scheduled to hold at maitama in the early hours of this morning.”
According to the statement, all suspects have confessed to the crimes while investigation is ongoing.
Metro
Reason Benin Oba Market Was Gutted By Fire Revealed

Barely six years fire gutted Oba Market in Benin, another fire engulfed the popular market late Wednesday night.
The market, which is being reconstructed after abandonment since the June 2020 fire incident, was reportedly set ablaze by a solar panel.
Inspecting the market on Thursday, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, Engr. Gabriel Iduseri, said only one shop was affected by the fire incident.
He said firefighters and security agencies promptly responded to ensure the fire did not spread to other parts of the market.
Iduseri said traders would be stopped from installing solar panels inside the market to prevent future fire outbreaks.
READ ALSO:Traders Protest, Seek Oba’s Intervention As Edo Govt Plans Demolition Of Markets
He said, “We learnt solar panel caused the fire. We are going to stop installation of solar panels and check all the electrical wiring in the market.
“I want to assure that we will support the affected trader to get back to business. There is no much damage. No life was lost. Oredo local government was here and we put measures in place to prevent thieves.”
The affected trader was said to have collapsed last night.
Metro
7 African Countries That Experience Snow

When people talk about Africa, snow is rarely part of the conversation. The continent is better known for its warm weather, deserts, and beaches than blizzards or ski slopes. Yet scattered across its vast landscapes are places where temperatures drop low enough for snow to fall and sometimes stick.
1. South Africa
Snow isn’t unusual in South Africa, especially in the Drakensberg Mountains and areas around Ceres and Sutherland.
The country even boasts a ski resort, Tiffindell, where visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding between June and August.
2. Lesotho
Lesotho, known as the “Kingdom in the Sky”, sits entirely above 1,000 metres in elevation. That high altitude makes it one of the snowiest countries in Southern Africa. The Afriski Mountain Resort becomes a popular destination during the winter months, offering a genuine alpine experience.
READ ALSO:Full List: Countries Most And Least Likely To Get US Visa For 2026 World Cup
3. Morocco
In Morocco, the Atlas Mountains receive regular snowfall between December and March. The Oukaïmeden Ski Resort, located just outside Marrakech, attracts locals and tourists eager to ski or simply enjoy a mountain escape, all within view of the desert.
4. Algeria
The Tell Atlas and Aurès Mountains in Algeria get dusted with snow each winter. Towns such as Setif and Batna often experience several snowy days, creating a rare but beautiful contrast between the icy peaks and the nearby Sahara sands.
5. Tunisia
In Tunisia’s Kroumirie Mountains, particularly around Aïn Draham, snow is a familiar winter visitor. The region’s pine forests and rolling hills transform into a quiet, white landscape that feels far removed from the country’s sunny Mediterranean coast.
READ ALSO:UK Police Recover Body Of 16-year-old Nigerian Who Drowned In Colwick Country Park
6. Kenya
Snow in Kenya may sound impossible, but the peaks of Mount Kenya are permanently capped with ice. Although the glaciers are shrinking, climbers still trek to the summit to witness the rare sight of snow just a few degrees south of the equator.
7. Tanzania
Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro remains Africa’s most famous snowy landmark.
Its white summit rises above the plains, a stunning reminder of the continent’s diverse climates and a view that has inspired countless travellers and photographers.
Snow might not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Africa, but it’s part of the story too. In these high-altitude regions, winter shows up quietly.
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