Metro

NDLEA Intercepts N6.5bn Worth Of Opioids At Lagos, Rivers Ports

Published

2 months ago

May 25, 2025

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted six million pills of opioids — including tamol 225mg, tapentadol 225mg, and carisoprodol 225mg — along with 332,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, with a total street value of ₦6.52 billion at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, and Apapa Seaport, Lagos.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that the seizures followed intelligence reports and the tracking of new trafficking routes by drug cartels, prompting the agency to place certain containers under 100% examination.

“The consignments at the Port Harcourt ports — six million pills of opioids and 162,000 bottles of codeine syrup — were uncovered in two containers on May 19 and 20 during a joint examination by NDLEA, Nigeria Customs, and other security agencies,” Babafemi stated.

At the Apapa Port, an additional 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup were discovered in a watch-listed container during a joint examination on May 22.

Arrest of Two British Nationals and Nigerian Accomplices

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested two British nationals — Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon — along with two Nigerians, Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami, for attempting to smuggle 92 bags of Loud (a strong cannabis strain) weighing 51.10kg into Nigeria.

Tatendra, who flew in on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha on May 15, was allowed to pass security and was tracked to the car park where he was met by Adejuwon and the others in an SUV. NDLEA operatives swooped in as they attempted to exit, recovering the drug consignment from the vehicle.

Tatendra confessed to being promised £1,300 for delivering the drugs. Adejuwon, described as the syndicate leader, had flown into Nigeria from South Africa via Ghana the previous day. A follow-up search at their Lekki residence uncovered:

₦3,810,500 cash

An Apple laptop, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and four nitrous oxide canisters

Massive Skunk Destruction and Seizures Nationwide

In Cross River State, NDLEA destroyed 75,000kg of skunk on 30 hectares of cannabis farms in Esuk-Odot, Odukpani LGA, and recovered an additional 200kg on May 22.

In Edo State, 1,957.5kg of skunk were destroyed in Ovia South West and Owan West LGAs on May 23 and 24.

In Nasarawa State, NDLEA arrested two suspects — Sunday Daniel (51) and Abu Peter (30) — after intercepting 4,000kg of skunk concealed under unprocessed wood in a truck at Keffi on May 24. Another suspect, Godwin Obi (39), was nabbed with 154.5kg in Karu on May 21.

Other Arrests and Seizures

Kaduna: 22-year-old Muhammad Hamza caught with 57,750 pills of tramadol and diazepam on Kaduna–Zaria highway, May 21

Bauchi: Usman Muhammad (45) arrested with 80 blocks of skunk (45kg) on Bauchi–Misau road

Yobe: Adum Muhammed (29) intercepted with 55 parcels of Colorado (2kg) en route to Chad through Ngamboru Ngala border

Niger: Adams Ayibakro arrested with 235 blocks of compressed cannabis (97kg) on Mokwa–Jebba road

Lagos: Raids in Osapa London, Lekki led to the arrest of Jonathan Isa with multiple drugs including cocaine, meth, molly, and codeine. Another raid in Idasun, Ibeju-Lekki netted Olamilekan Idowu with 48kg of skunk

WADA Advocacy Continues Nationwide

As part of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, NDLEA conducted sensitization programs in:

Adamu Babbale Government Secondary School, Katsina

Mary Hanney Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom

Nnodo Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi

Government Secondary School, Guyuk, Adamawa

Government Girls Islamic Secondary School, Gwagwarwa, Kano

In Lagos, NDLEA paid an advocacy visit to Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Muhammadu Bambado.

NDLEA Boss Commends Officers

Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) commended the officers and men of the NDLEA Commands in Port Harcourt, Lagos, MMIA, Nasarawa, Cross River, Edo, Niger, Kaduna, Yobe, and Bauchi for their impressive performance. He also praised efforts in both drug supply reduction and demand reduction across the country.

Metro

Petrol Tanker Explodes In Ibadan

Published

11 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

File Image

A petroleum tanker carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, on Thursday, exploded in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred at Celica junction, on the new Ife Expressway in Ibadan.

Eyewitnesses explained that the fire incident was as a result of break failure, which made the vehicle lose control.

One of the witnesses said, “The tanker hit a Prado jeep and another car. And in the process, the tanker fell and exploded.

“Although no casualty was recorded, the fire affected the car and the Prado jeep.”

Confirming the incident in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, the state Fire Service Chairman, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the development to our correspondent, adding that no casualty was recorded.

He said, “The incident was reported at exactly 18.27hrs on Thursday.

“The firemen swiftly swung into action by applying chemical foam compound and restricted the fire from spreading to the nearby Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation petrol station and surrounding properties. The fire was jointly extinguished with officers from the Federal Fire Service.

“The fire incident was as a result of failure of breaking in system of the truck whist on motion which made the vehicle lose control, hit a Prado jeep and a car, then fell and caught fire.

“No casualty was recorded but the fire affected the trailer tanker and a car, while a Jeep was hit by the trailer into the nearby gutter,” he explained.

Metro

Alleged $9.6bn P&ID Fraud: Fleeing Briton’s Surety Arrested, Produced In Court

Published

17 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

Chief George Kadiri, who stood surety for Mr. James Nolan, a British national, at the centre of an ongoing $9.6 billion Process and Industrial Development (P$ID) scam trial, has been arrested.

Kadiri, a retired civil servant living in Gwagwalada, Abuja, was on Thursday produced before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court at the resumed hearing in the matter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the surety, a traditional chief in Gwagwalada, had, on Nov. 4, 2022, sought more time within which to appear in court to show cause why his bail bond should not be forfeited.

He made the plea in a motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 filed by his lawyer, O.J. Aboge, before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, before he was elevated to the Court of Appeal.

Justice Mohammed had, on Sept. 28, 2022, revoked the N100 million bail granted to Nolan, a director in P&ID, following his refusal to appear for his trial.

The judge, in the ruling, issued a bench warrant against Nolan and ordered that he should be arrested by security agencies, including Interpol, anywhere he is sighted within or outside Nigeria and be produced in court to stand his trial.

The judge also directed the surety to appear in court to show cause why his bail bond should not be forfeited.

The order followed the application made by EFCC’s lawyer, Bala Sanga, that Nolan had jumped bail.

However, after the case was reassigned to Justice Lifu, Kadiri had not been coming to court, and an order for his arrest was granted.

When the case was called, Sanga said the commission had brought Kadiri to court in obedience to a court order.

“This charge here is different. I humbly apply for the bail bond to be forfeited,” he said.

Aboge, who appeared for Kadiri, sought a date to address the court on the issue of forfeiting the bail bond of N100 million.

“The cases before Justice Egwuatu and the one here are the same.

“I want to produce arguments on the various points raised before the court,” he said.

The lawyer then prayed the court for the surety to be released to him on bail.

Defendant’ lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, agreed to take Kadiri on bail.

“Chief Kadiri, the surety, is a traditional chief in Gwagwalada.

“He will not run away. I stood surety for him at EFCC.

“This is my first time taking someone on bail,” Erokoro begged.

The anti-graft agency’s lawyer neither opposed the submission made on bail nor objected to the request for an adjournment.

I have no objection to an adjournment.

Justice Lifu consequently adjourned the matter until Nov. 5 for further proceedings and a hearing on the issue of forfeiture of the bail bond entered by Kadiri.

“Meanwhile, the surety, Chief Kadiri, is herein released to Chief Paul Erokoro, SAN, on bail to be produced in court until this issue of forfeiture of bail bond is resolved or determined by the court; I so ruled.”

NAN reports that the anti-graft agency had, on Aug. 18, 2020, arraigned Nolan before Justice Mohammed in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020.

While Lurgi Consult Limited is the 1st defendant, Nolan is the 2nd defendant in the matter.

Nolan, alleged to be at large, is also standing trial in about eight other cases for his involvement in the controversial 9.6 billion dollarcontract awarded to P&ID.
(NAN)

Metro

FCT Police Arrest Man Over Death Of 3-year-old Boy Who Drowned In Uncovered Septic Tank

Published

17 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

Police operatives from the Durumi Divisional Headquarters under the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command have arrested a man, identified as Philip Jallo, following the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy who drowned in an uncovered septic tank in Durumi 2, Abuja.

The heartbreaking incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, July 16, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., when the toddler, reportedly playing within the residential compound, accidentally slipped and fell into the exposed soakaway filled with human waste.

In a statement released by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the suspect was accused of gross negligence, having allegedly ignored repeated warnings and pleas from neighbors to secure the hazardous septic tank.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the uncovered soakaway had long posed a danger to residents in the area,” Adeh said. “Several warnings and pleas were reportedly made by concerned neighbours to the suspect, who failed to take the necessary action.”

The child was eventually pulled out of the tank and rushed to the hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.

Jallo is currently in police custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

The Commissioner also used the opportunity to issue a strong advisory to residents, urging them to prioritize environmental safety and ensure potential hazards in their surroundings are properly managed.

“Parents and guardians must be vigilant and ensure their wards are properly monitored at all times to prevent such needless loss of life,” he stated.

The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability in matters that endanger public safety.