Metro

Patent Medicine Dealer Arrested With Guns, Ammunition In Delta

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2023

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a patent medicine dealer, Ebireri Morisson, of Oviorie community in Isiokolo, Ethiope East Local Government Area, for allegedly being in possession of guns and ammunition.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer for the command, DSP Bright Edafe, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri.

According to the statement, the 40-year-old patent medicine dealer was nabbed on October 7, 2023, “following credible information” which prompted the operatives to storm the community.

“Upon searching the premises, one locally fabricated short gun, and one live cartridge were recovered”, the PPRO said.

He disclosed that the suspect is presently in custody while an investigation is ongoing into the matter.

In another development, the police spokesman stated that concerted efforts to rid Delta State of illicit firearms led to the arrest of another suspect in Asaba.

The PPRO explained that on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, while operatives of SACU were on a routine patrol along Cable Road, Asaba, they accosted a motorcyclist and his passenger, who upon sighting the patrol team hastily jumped down from the moving motorcycle and took to their heels.

“These suspects were given a hot chase, where one 27-year-old male suspect, Ifakachukwu Igwala from Kwale in Ndokwa-West LGA was arrested.

“The suspects were carrying a handbag, when the bag was searched one locally fabricated Beretta pistol, two 9mm live ammunition, one locally made single barrel shotgun, and one live cartridge were recovered.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect operates alongside his accomplice named Kelvin surname unknown (at large).

“The suspect is in custody and the effort to arrest his fleeing accomplice is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, has assured that the command has meticulously placed essential deployments and security measures for the ember months.

On that note, the CP said, officers and men are utmostly dedicated to keeping the peace, and implementing the laws while taking concrete steps to ensure accountability, transparency, and maximal professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Consequently, the police boss urged the public to never hesitate to notify the Command through the Control Room Numbers 08036684974, 08125958005, 09053872287 or the PRO Office 09155570007, 09155570008, assuring that all received information will be treated with a high level of confidentiality.

Metro

Nigerian Army Suspends Statutory, Voluntary Retirement For Specific Officers

Published

10 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has announced the indefinite suspension of all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers.

According to an internal memo dated 3 December 2025, signed by Major General E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, this is in response to the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Okoro explained that the measure is intended to preserve manpower, expertise, and operational readiness while the Armed Forces rapidly expand to tackle the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

Citing the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers (HTACOS) 2024, the document pointed out that officers normally retire upon reaching the prescribed age for their rank, completing 35 years of service, or after repeated failures in promotion or conversion processes.

However, Paragraph 3.10(e) permits service extensions when it is in the interest of the military.

“Military service of a commissioned officer entails a period of unbroken service in the AFN from the date of enlistment or commissioning to the date of retirement. The period of service is determined by conditions enshrined in the HTACOS Officers 2024. These include attainment of age ceilings on various ranks, 35 years maximum length of service, and other criteria provided in Paragraphs 11.02(d) and 17.15, among extant regulations,” the memo partly read.

“Notwithstanding these provisions, Chapter 3.10(e) of HTACOS Officers 2024 allows for extension of service to officers in the interest of the service.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26, mandating the expansion of the AFN and other security agencies. In line with this, and to rapidly expand manpower, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”

According to the memo, the suspension affects Army officers in the following categories: Those who have failed promotion examinations three times, those passed over for promotion three times, those who have reached the age ceiling for their current rank, those who have failed conversion boards three times and those who have completed 35 years of service.

It explained that affected officers who wish to remain in service may apply for an extension beyond their original retirement dates.

However, the memo clarified that: “Officers in these categories who are not interested in extension of service are to continue with the normal retirement procedure. Officers desirous of extension should note that upon extension, they are not eligible for career progression, including promotion, career courses, NA sponsorship, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments.”

Metro

NDLEA Seizes 7.6m Tramadol Pills, 76,273kg Cannabis In Nationwide Raids

Published

11 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the seizure of more than 7.6 million tramadol pills and 76,273 kilograms of cannabis strains in coordinated operations across several states, with multiple suspects arrested.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the seizures were made during intelligence-led raids between 1 and 6 December.

In Delta State, operatives recovered 3,874,000 tramadol pills and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup from a warehouse at Oko market, Asaba. In Imo State, 1.2 million tramadol tablets were intercepted from a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Kelechi Nwakocha along the Onitsha-Owerri road.

In Adamawa, officers stopped a Toyota Hiace bus travelling from Jos to Mubi with 1,577,112 capsules of tramadol and exol-5 tablets concealed in jumbo bags mixed with footwear. Two suspects, Kabiru Buba, 25, and Hamza Abubakar, 32, were arrested. Another suspect, Mudansir Rabiu, 27, was apprehended in Kano with 197,000 exol-5 pills.

In Ekiti, NDLEA destroyed 14,654 kilograms of skunk in Omuo forest and 54,300 kilograms in warehouses at Asin-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the operations. In Ondo, 5,442 kilograms of skunk were seized in Igoba forest, Akure North, with five suspects taken into custody.

Further arrests were made in Niger State, where 500 kilograms of skunk were recovered from a van along Mokwa-Jebba road, and in Abuja, where 22 kilograms of synthetic cannabis known as Colorado were intercepted at Abaji expressway. A follow-up operation at Jabi park led to the arrest of a female receiver, Ali Blessing, 33. Another suspect, Aliyu Usman, 39, was arrested with 24 kilograms of skunk and 573,500 exol-5 pills along Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.

In Lagos, 113 kilograms of Canadian Loud were recovered from Ezenwa Udoka at Ladipo market, while Izuchukwu Usulor was arrested with 351 kilograms of skunk in Onipanu. Susan Okoro was also arrested with 104.1 kilograms at Trade Fair complex, Ojo. In Edo, 447.5 kilograms of skunk were seized from two vehicles in Agho forest, Akoko Edo, and 315.8 kilograms were recovered from a warehouse in Isiefve community, Ohuwunde Local Government Area.

The Agency confirmed that sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse initiative continued during the week in schools, worship centres and communities across Kano, Benue and Rivers States.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved.

“Their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, are well appreciated,” he said.
The Agency stated that investigations are ongoing and suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.