The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, has intercepted illicit and controlled drugs worth N5.1 billion imported from India and Canada through the Lagos airport.

Customs Area Controller, Michael Awe, disclosed this yesterday while showcasing the seized items to journalists at the Command.

The seizures include 121 packs of Canadian cannabis valued at N1.4 billion; 294,000 tablets of 225mg Tramadol HCL worth N1.2 billion; Pregabalin 300mg worth N1.2 billion; Norflex 50mg valued at N800 million; and Sardalud 2mg worth N495 million.

Awe explained that on July 30, 2025, a consignment with AWB number 235-63882254/2 packages, previously placed under surveillance, was evacuated from the NAHCO import shed to the government warehouse. Upon joint examination, officers discovered that two packages containing duvets were used to conceal 121 packs of Canadian cannabis.

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Similarly, on September 24, 2025, another consignment with AWB-071-58012706/6 packages was evacuated from the SAHCO import shed. It was found to contain 294,000 tablets of 225mg Tramadol HCL, valued at N1.2 billion.

Awe said additional seizures were made on September 17, 2025, when two consignments with AWB numbers 071-58231670 and 071-58234433 were intercepted and evacuated from the NAHCO import shed. They were found to contain Pregabalin, Sardalud, and Norflex tablets, all controlled medications imported without the required certification.

He raised concerns that the drugs were deceptively branded as 50mg Diclofenac Sodium, describing it as a dangerous practice that poses a serious risk to public health.

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No suspect has been arrested in connection with the seizures. Awe said the items will be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

He reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for the smuggling of illicit drugs through the airport and urged the public to purchase medicines only from verified and reputable sources.

Assistant Director of NAFDAC, Nwude Kelechi, who was present during the briefing, pledged the agency’s support for a joint investigation and warned that there will be no hiding place for those involved in the illegal drug trade.

Tragedy struck in Magama Gumau, Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, after a woman, identified as Suwaira Ibrahim, allegedly burnt the private part of her husband’s younger sister following accusations of witchcraft.

Cases of violence against children over witchcraft allegations remain a recurring problem in some parts of Nigeria, especially in rural communities where harmful traditional beliefs still hold sway.

Human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about the rising number of minors tortured, abandoned, or killed over unfounded claims of sorcery.

In many cases, children are subjected to inhumane treatment such as burning, starvation, or beating, often with the complicity of family members or community leaders.

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The Child Rights Act criminalises such practices and guarantees the protection of children against abuse, but enforcement has remained weak in many states.

It was gathered on Thursday that the victim, a seven-year-old (name withheld), was left in severe pain after she was brutalised by Suwaira.

Narrating the ordeal, an activist in the community, Kabiru Abdulkadir, told journalists that the incident started when Suwaira’s child claimed to have seen the victim among a group of witches.

According to him, the girl was taken to a man to confirm the allegation.

“The man told them that she is not a witch, but Suwaira disagreed with the confirmation. They returned home and placed a knife or spoon on fire, which they used to burn the child’s private part, believing that if she was truly a witch, she would not feel pain.

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“It was her loud cries that attracted neighbours. When we got there, we insisted that the case be reported to the police,” Abdulkadir said.

In a video clip obtained by our correspondent, the child’s private parts and thighs were severely burnt. Abdulkadir added that the injuries left her unable to pass urine or stool properly, while the stench from the wound had made life unbearable for the household.

The victim was later rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, where she is currently receiving treatment.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, said the case was reported at the Toro Divisional Headquarters before being referred to the State Command for proper investigation.

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“We are aware of it. Initially, some people wanted to cover up the case and handle it at the community level, but we insisted it should be reported. The case has been referred to the State Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution. We will issue a detailed statement once we receive full reports,” Wakil said.

In 2019, a 10-year-old girl resident in Sandfield Estate, Satellite Town, Lagos, was rescued from her guardian, identified simply as Mrs Anaeme, who tortured her for allegedly being a witch.

The woman had reportedly subjected the little girl, Chidera, to serial assaults with marks of violence visible all over her body.

It was gathered that the torture took the worst dimension when Anaeme reportedly used a hot object to inflict injuries on the girl’s back.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja.

Agunloye was accused in an amended seven-count charge over the alleged fraudulent award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract worth $6 billion.

EFCC disclosed this in a statement on its X handle on Thursday.

Count one reads: “That you, Olu Agunloye, whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel on or about the 2nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly disobeyed the directive of the President, made in the Federal Executive Council meeting of 21st May 2003, directed at you pursuant to the Presidents’ powers under Section 5(1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) when you signed a letter addressed to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, conveying the approval of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the construction of the 3,960 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law.”

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Count Four reads: “That you, Olu Agunloye whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel and Leno Adesanya (at large) of Sunrise [Power and Transmission Company Limited, on or about the 22nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to cause the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) to enter into a contract with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) used as genuine, a false document titled, “Construction of 3,960mw Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis,” dated the 22nd of May, 2003, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.”

Agunloye pleaded not guilty to all counts.

EFCC counsel M.K. Hussein told the court he was ready to continue the testimony of the third prosecuting witness.

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He asked for a date for the continuation of the trial.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to 9 October 2025 for the continuation of trial.

The PUNCH reports that a key witness in the case, Adewale Agunbiade, in September 2024, told the court that N5.2 million was wired into an account belonging to Agunloye, in connection with the Mambilla Power Project contract.

Agunbiade alleged that the transaction formed part of the purported corrupt dealings underlying the contract’s award.