₦airaland Forum

NEWS RELEASE

Governor Adeleke to Osun People: Stay Away from Local Government Secretariats

●Condole Victims of APC Illegal Take over Bid

OSOGBO - 18/02/2025 - Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed Osun residents including politicians across political divides to stay away from the local government secretariats to protect public properties and avoid further bloodshed.

In a reaction to the current illegal APC takeover bid of local governments in Osun state, the Governor affirmed that since the local government workers are on strike, only security agencies should be allowed to man the secretariats.

“I therefore direct all law abiding Osun residents to stay away from the council secretariats especially as they are expected to be under lock and key.

“I equally condole families of victims of the APC illegal takeover bid and chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs. PDP lost five members with several others wounded. Two of those members are from Iragbiji, Boripe local government. Another two were killed at Ola Oluwa Local government. Another one was lost at Ikire. We must stop the bloodshed”, the Governor lamented.

He assured residents of their safety and protection of lives and properties, affirming that he has directed security agencies to take charge of all local government secretariats.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, may resign today, according to sources.

This is just as officials of the Directorate of State Service (DSS) allegedly stormed her office sealing it in the process.

Sources said armed security personnel have taken over the premises of the House at Alausa, Ikeja, and environs.

This comes few weeks after the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, was impeached but his impeachment has created crisis in the house, with Obasa rejecting it.

There are indications that Obasa might return as the Speaker following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

What no one can take away from you, @YeleSowore, is the energy and passion with which you have engaged the system for a better Nigeria.

Indeed, yours has been a life dedicated to activism for the betterment of our country. You have continued to get better with the passage of the years.

As you mark your 54th birthday, I wish you a happy birthday and more years in good health in the service of our country and humanity. -AA

NDLEA busts trans-border drug cartel, arrests 4 members in Onitsha, Keffi

...Recovers multi-million-naira opioids from Sienna bus bumper, meth in auto spare part, others in Anambra, Cross River, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti, Lagos interdictions

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have busted a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four members in intelligence-led operations during which multi-million-naira worth of tramadol pills concealed in the bumper and false bottom of sienna buses heading to border towns were recovered.

Following weeks of intelligence and surveillance operations by operatives of the Directorate of Intelligence in NDLEA, a Sienna bus marked ABJ 452 HG was intercepted at Nasarawa- Toto road, Keffi, Nasarawa state on Tuesday 27th January 2025 at 6am. Two suspects: Zahradeen Adamu, 27 and Abubakar Usman, 44, were arrested in the vehicle coming from Onitsha, Anambra state enroute Yola, Adamawa state. A second Sienna bus driven by Abba Usman, 48, was also intercepted.

During a search of the two vehicles, specially constructed steel compartments were discovered after the removal of the back bumper where a total of 190, 960 pills of tramadol were concealed and, in the space, designed to house the spare tyre of the vehicles.
Investigations revealed that an Onitsha, Anambra state-based dealer, Kingsley Mbaeri was the supplier of the seized tramadol consignment. A swift follow up operation led to the arrest of Mbaeri at his Uga Street, Onitsha home on 29th January. Two vehicles: a Toyota Corolla car marked FGG 948 MF and a Toyota Sienna bus marked GWA 23 HH were recovered from his house.

In another interdiction, operatives of the Intelligence Department intercepted a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State at Abaji checkpoint, FCT Abuja on 4th February. A passenger in the bus, Chimezie Henry Ojingwa, 32, carrying motor spare parts in a black bag was arrested. When his bag was searched, 404.47grams of methamphetamine; 506.49grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis and 262.32grams of dimethyl sulfone, a precursor substance for mixing meth, all of which were concealed in the motor parts were recovered.
In Cross River state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Ogoja -Abakaliki road, Yahe, on Thursday 13th February intercepted 170,000 pills of tramadol in a truck driven by Paul Chukwudi, 31, while operatives at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on Tuesday 11th February recovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container imported from India.
Two suspects: Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru were nabbed at Bama road, Maiduguri, Borno state on Friday 14th February with 60 compressed blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 72kg, while NDLEA operatives in Ekiti state on Tuesday 11th February raided

A notorious drug joint at Iloda street, Ikole-Ekiti where they arrested three suspects:
Bala Muhammed, 57; Yahaya Adamu, 55, and Abdullahi Shehu, 30. A total of 83 kilograms of skunk were recovered from them.

In Lagos, 28-year-old Samiat Olabisi Yussuf was on Saturday 15th February arrested by operatives during a raid of her Lekki home where 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide popularly known as laughing gas and 111grams of Loud were recovered. Not less than 132.84 kilograms of skunk were recovered from two suspects: Ibrahim Usman, 40, and Solomon James, 40, in Taraba. While Usman was nabbed with 88kg of Arizona and Ghana Loud at Wukari, James was arrested with 44.84kg of same substance at Takanaba, Sabongari, in Jalingo LGA.

Meanwhile, across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week. Instances include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Government Technical College, Oku, Akwa Ibom; Future Leaders Academy, Kishi, Oyo state; Government Secondary School, Bashire, Sokoto; Ehere Comprehensive School, Ogbor Hill, Abia; Government Day Secondary School, Taura, Jigawa state; and Jesuit College, Agbado Ekiti, Ekiti state; while Kano state command of NDLEA conducted WADA enlightenment lecture for married women in purdah at Markaz Umar Bn Khattab Centre, Kano, among others.

While commending the officers and men of Directorate of Intelligence, Apapa, Cross River, Borno, Ekiti, Taraba, and Lagos Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) also applauded their compatriots in all the commands across the country for intensifying the WADA sensitization lectures and advocacy messages to every part of their areas of responsibility.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Sunday 16th February 2025

A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, the State capital, has sacked the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Tijani Anaje, from the royal stool.

Recall that Anaje was appointed as Ohinoyi of Ebira Land by the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in January, 2024, at the twilight of his administration.

However, Hon. Justice Salisu Umar, the presiding judge of High Court 6 in Lokoja, in his ruling on Monday, made an order directing the defendant (Anaje) in a suit before to stop parading himself as the paramount traditional ruler of Ebiraland.

Though the court was yet to make available details of the judgement, it was learnt that the case with Suit Number HCO/05C/2024, was filed by Dr. Barnabas Adeku Ojiah and two others against the Governor of Kogi State.

All efforts to speak with the embattled Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Tajani Anaje, proved abortive as his cell phones were switched off.

A Brazilian adult film star, Anna Polly (Anna Beatriz Pereira Alves), tragically died after falling from a hotel balcony in Nova Iguaçu, northwest of Rio de Janeiro. The incident occurred while she was filming content for an adult website with two men she had invited to the hotel for a party.

According to the police, the investigation is ongoing, with CCTV footage being reviewed and Anna Polly's mobile phone being examined for potential evidence. The two men involved in the incident provided conflicting statements, adding complexity to the case.

The police described the incident as "complex" and are considering all possibilities, from a tragic accident to potential foul play. The incident occurred at the four-star Mont Blanc Apart Hotel. The authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Anna Polly's death.

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umar Fintiri Has Called on Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu To Change his Economic Policies as Nigeria belongs to everyone not World Bank or IMF.

Governor Fintiri made the call during the PDP North East Zonal Caucus Meeting with the National Reconciliation Committee Currently Holding At the Bauchi State Government House

The meeting is expected to discuss and provide solutions to the lingering leadership and other crises rocking the party and to foster unity and progress for the success of the party ahead of the party convention as well as 2027 elections

Present at the meeting are the acting National chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun, Chairman PDP Governors Forum and the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Adamawa and States Governors Ahmadu Fintiri and Agbu Kefas as well as Chairman National Reconciliation Committee among other stakeholders.

The meeting went into a closed door session.

There are no survivors in the Washington plane crash, DC's fire chief says, as efforts shift to a recovery operation.

Hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers have invaded the Chikakore area of Kubwa in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, kidnapping a man, his wife, son and two others.

A resident of the community told our correspondent that the kidnappers, numbering about 30 and armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the community around 12 am on Monday and went straight to the house of one Adefija Micheal Akinropo, who was kidnapped alongside his wife, son and elder brother.

The resident, who is close to the victims, said the kidnappers later moved to another building housing a poultry farm, kidnapped a man and injured his wife.

He said police officials from Byazin police station had visited the scene, adding that the abductors are yet to make contact with the family members.

When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent, said she was driving to the office and promised to get back to our reporter when she gets to the office.

She was, however, yet to call back up till the time of filling the report.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a consignment of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, concealed in duvet, packaged for export to the United Kingdom through the cargo shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos.

Two suspects: Adakole Sunday and Austin Balogun linked to the bid to export the consignment to the UK were promptly arrested following the discovery by NDLEA officers on Tuesday 21st January 2025. Six parcels of the psychoactive substance with a gross weight of 3.50 kilograms were concealed inside the duvet.

In his statement, Austin Balogun who is the main agent who hired Adakole, claimed he was paid N700,000 to cargo the consignment to UK but spent a fraction of the money on export handling charges and the bulk to pay for an apartment.

At least, two suspects: Joseph Oluwasegun Adewale and Biodun Adelakun were arrested at Igbo Olumo, Ikorodu area of Lagos when NDLEA operatives raided their hideout in the community where seven litres of skuchies, a new psychoactive substance produced with black currant, cannabis and opioids, were recovered. Other exhibits seized from the duo include: three locally made double barrel riffles; one locally made double barrel pistol; one English made pistol; one locally made single barrel riffle; three cartridges and one empty 9mm cartridge as well as an iron - head axe.

Another raid in Lagos on Sunday 19th January led to the seizure of 47kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, and 25.46kg Nitrous Oxide popularly known as laughing gas at the notorious Akala area of Mushin.

In Ekiti, a 26-year-old suspect Adepoju Taiwo was arrested by NDLEA officers on Thursday 23rd January with 1.950kg Canadian Loud at Iworoko road, Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while Auwal Sani was nabbed by operatives on Monday 20th January at Bode Saadu in Moro local government area of Kwara State. A total of 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 36.56kg were recovered from him.
A Nigerien, Abubakar Lami, 45, with two others: Abba Sani, 35, and Auwal Aliyu, 32, were arrested by NDLEA operatives at Gadar Tamburawa, Kano, while 13.1kg skunk and 125 litres of ‘suck and die’, a new psychoactive substance were recovered from them. In Gefen Kasa, Dawakin Kudu council area of Kano state, a cannabis plantation was located and destroyed by a team of NDLEA officers who arrested a suspect, Sabo Ali Muhammad, 45, linked to the farm.

Meanwhile, across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week. Instances include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Army Children Secondary School, Oyo, Oyo state; Government Day Secondary School, Gwadangwaji, Kebbi state; Government Day Secondary School, Suleja, Niger state; St. Dominic Comprehensive College, Oron, Akwa Ibom state; District Junior College, Agege, Lagos; and residents of Pompomari community, Damaturu, Yobe stat, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Kwara, and Ekiti Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) also applauded their compatriots in all the commands across the country for intensifying the WADA social advocacy lectures and sensitization activities in every part of their areas of responsibility.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Sunday 26th January 2025

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, on Saturday, ordered the dissolution of the Sharia panel set up at the Central Mosque, Ado Ekiti in the interest of peaceful coexistence and law and order in the community.

Adejugbe spoke in Ado Ekiti during a meeting he held with the chiefs and indigenes of the community and the Chief Imam and President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, Edo and Delta states, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere; and other Muslim leaders in Ado Ekiti over tension in some quarters over the sharia panel issue.

This came barely two days after the state government said that the existing legal structure in the state did not recognise the Sharia Court or Sharia Arbitration Panel.

The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dayo Apata, (SAN) had spoken in reaction to news reports stipulating the first public sitting of a Shari’ah Panel in the state which resolved two marriage disputes.

He had said that the legal structure in Ekiti State (i.e. Customary Court, Customary Court of Appeal and High Court) had been handling issues relating to Islamic, Christian and traditional marriages and inheritance without any rancour or agitation.

Adejugbe said, “Based on this Sharia issue, I summoned the Chief Imam and his lieutenants, members of the Ewi-in-Council, the president of Ado Progressives Union and Ado sons and daughters to discuss the matter because it is a sensitive issue.

“We all listened and it appears they set up a committee at the Central Mosque with the intention to listen to disputes. According to them, they have good intentions and it was an internal arrangement that has nothing to do with any external person or somebody influencing them.

“I told them the mood of the nation will not allow such to happen now, that they should revert to how the founding fathers of the mosque had been settling disputes in the past without setting up a committee.

“I told them that there is no need for the committee and they should dissolve the committee henceforth. That is the decision of the Ewi-in-Council and that is the position of all Ado sons and daughters.

“The panel stands dissolved. If we should allow such committees, the Christians too will want to set up committees in their various churches, the traditional worshippers too and before you know it, it will lead to crises.”

Speaking earlier, the Chief Imam, Kewulere, who confirmed setting up the committee, which he said had resolved a marriage dispute and adjourned on a second matter, dismissed all insinuations that it was set up for sinister motives.

Kewulere, who said that Muslims and adherents of other religions had been enjoying cordial relationships, said, “Basically, the committee is to look into matters of inheritance in the interest of our members.”

He dismissed insinuations that it was to create crisis and he dismissed any external influence or link.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
 
PRESIDENT TINUBU TO ATTEND AFRICA HEADS OF STATE ENERGY SUMMIT IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
 
President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit on January 27-28, 2025. 
 
The Summit, hosted by the government of Tanzania in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, aims to advance ‘‘Mission 300,’’ an initiative to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030.
 
In Dar es Salaam, African leaders, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society groups will strategise to accelerate energy access across the continent. 
 
The Summit will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges. 
 
Discussions will focus on accelerating energy access in underserved regions, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and mobilising private sector investment. 
 
On the first day, at the ministerial level, participating countries, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, termed compacts, detailing their approaches to achieving universal energy access within five years. 
 
On the second day, Heads of State will endorse the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, outlining a unified roadmap for Africa’s progress towards the Mission 300 objectives.
 
President Tinubu will deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to achieving universal access to energy and its leadership role in Africa’s energy sector. 
 
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and its strategy to drive integrated energy delivery in the continent. 
 
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, and other senior government officials will accompany President Tinubu on the trip.
 
He will return to Abuja after the summit. 
 
Bayo Onanuga 
Special Adviser to the President 
(Information & Strategy) 
January 25, 2025

From being filmed hastily stashing $230,000O under his babanriga in 2018, to becoming the APC national chairman in 2023 and today getting appointed by Tinubu as new board chair of FAAN, [Abdullahi Ganduje is proof that in Nigeria, the reward for corruption is public office!

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has faulted the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, over electricity bands and migration plans.

The labour leader questioned why some people should be in Band A and others in lower bands, saying that the practice is discriminatory.

He slammed the service-based tariff which put electricity users in different bands, according to service delivered by distribution companies, calling it the highest form of ‘419’.

During a budget defence session at the National Assembly this week, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, claimed that 90 per cent of electricity users in Band A have confirmed that they are getting the benefit of being in Band A. He also said that more customers would be migrated to Band A to enjoy electricity for longer hours.

However, Ajaero, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, questioned the idea of migrating customers from one band to another.

“Now the ministry is talking about migrating from Band B To Band A, that is the highest level of 419 one can think of,” Ajaero said on the programme. The local parlance 419 has become notorious for the description of fraudulent activities.

“Who is in Band A and who is in Band B? Is it based on geographical area that you have Band A or Band B or is it based on the dictates of the provider?

“In countries of the world that are targeting 24 hours power supply, why would somebody be talking about Band A or Band B? How would it happen? So, that idea is concocted to make money unnecessarily and say people are migrated.”

“What are the conditions to be on Band A? What are the conditions to be on Band B? Why would you discriminate? Why would you give me Band B and give somebody Band A? So, these are the issues.”

Band A are those who enjoy electricity supply for 20 hours per day, Band B a minimum of 16 hours, Band C get a minimum of 12-hour power supply, Band D a minimum of 8 hours, and Band E a minimum of four hours.

Ajaero also faulted the Federal Government for making provisions for power distribution companies which are supposedly private companies in the 2025 budget.

He said that the money that the government wants to use to improve the power sector should be used for something else while the private-owned power companies should use the money they generate to run their companies.

President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with Governor Sim Fubara of State Rivers State and the leaders of Ogoniland at the presidential Villa Abuja.

Governor Fubara arrived with Senator Lee Maeba and among the delegation were Senators Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Chief Victor Giadom, Chief Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, as well as Senators Bennett Birabi Barry. Mpigi and Joe Poroma.

Also present is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, the Minister of Environment, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abba, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, it may not be unconnected to the Ogoni clean-up and the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.

Recall that a coalition of civil society organisations had demanded an allocation of $1 trillion from the Federal Government for the cleanup of the Niger Delta and compensation for the loss of livelihoods, before the resumption of crude oil production in Ogoniland.

The demands were tabled in a statement signed by the organisations including Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), while expressing concerns over the Nigerian government’s reported plans to resume oil production in the community.

The group described the move as a disregard for environmental justice

The statement highlighted the historical environmental degradation caused by oil activities in Ogoniland, documented in the 2011 UNEP report, which revealed widespread pollution of land, water, and air.

The group expressed disappointment that the government has yet to fully implement the UNEP recommendations or prioritize the cleanup of the region.

The Association of Mobile Money & Bank Agents in Nigeria has said its members may have no option but to increase service charges.

Ogungbayi Ganiyu, the National Public Relations Officer at AMMBAN, disclosed this in an interview on Monday.

His comments followed the Federal Government’s 50 percent telecommunications services tariff hike approval.

Reacting, Ganiyu said AMMBAN members’ businesses are centered around telecom services, especially data, and hence would be most impacted.

He, however, noted that POS operators may want to bear the cost of the increased telecoms tariff.

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers on Monday vowed to drag the federal government to court over the 50 percent telecoms tariff hike.

The last time telecoms tariffs were increased was in 2013.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that Nigeria cannot end insecurity ravaging the country without establishing state police system.

He also said that without intelligence, the war against terrorism could not be won.

Wike, who is a presidential aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party, said these on Thursday, when he visited Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to meet with delegates to the party’s National Convention scheduled for the end of the month.

These were contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor, Taiwo Adisa, on Thursday.

The Rivers State Governor said he believed strongly in restructuring, adding that state police was a panacea to the insecurity challenges facing the country.

Wike said that Nigerians were aware of his views on restructuring and state police, noting that any country that practices true federalism knows that policing and intelligence gathering are key to surmounting insecurity challenges.

He said, “Nigerians know my views, as I believe in restructuring and state Police. Let nobody deceive you, we cannot stop insecurity in this country without state police.

“In all the countries that practice true federalism, the Federal Government has its own police, the state has its own police. Local councils have theirs too. Go to those countries, the police know who is living where and that is how we can bring down insecurity. If you like, go to America and buy 50 Tucano jets, it won’t work. Who are you bombing? Intelligence is key. You must have intelligence.”

On behalf of my family, I sincerely sympathise with the popular Fuji maestro, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, known as K1 De Ultimate (KWAM1), who recently suffered a double bereavement. The reported deaths of his ex-wife, Alhaja Hafsat Ajoke Anifowoshe, and his mother, Alhaja Halima Shadiya Anifowoshe, within a few days, are indeed tragic.

I commiserate with him and his entire family during this challenging period of mourning. May Almighty Allah grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss, forgive the sins of the departed, and grant them eternal rest. -PO

Attempt by 26-year-old Esther Onyinyechi Uzodinma, a 200-level student of nursing at the Noida International University, Uttar Pradesh, India, to swallow 76 wraps of cocaine hours before her return flight to the South Asian country through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, Kano, has been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Esther was scheduled to return to Delhi, India from MAKIA Kano on Qatar Airways flight 1432 on Friday 17th January 2025 but was arrested in her room at 11:30pm on Thursday 16th January at Royal Park Hotel Sabon Garin Kano, while awaiting the cocaine consignment she was to ingest before her flight the following morning.

Her lid was blown open when NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi state on Thursday 16th January intercepted 31-year-old Cosmas Okorie in a commuter bus coming from Lagos enroute Kano. Inside his black polythene bag was an audio speaker, which was used to conceal 76 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.340 kilograms, which he was going to deliver to Esther in Kano. A swift follow up operation in Kano led to the arrest of the female nursing university student later same day.

In her statement, Esther claimed the drug cartel she was working for recruited her in India and paid for her trip to Nigeria to enjoy her Christmas and New Year holidays. To avoid her parents knowing she was in Nigeria, Esther did not travel to her home state, Imo but was lodged for two weeks in a hotel in Enugu, from where she was flown to Abuja and then Kano where she was lodged at Royal Park Hotel to swallow the 76 pellets of cocaine sent to her from Lagos before taking her Qatar Airways flight to India on Friday morning. She said she was promised over $5,000 upon successful delivery of the illicit consignment in India.

In other operations along the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja highway, NDLEA officers arrested four suspects: Abdullahi Umar; Tijjani Samaila; Lucky Obotte and Abubakar Haruna, who were heading to Maiduguri, Borno state, Kano, and Abuja in commuter vehicles with over 38,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, 250mg and 100mg concealed in audio speakers and cloths.

In Lagos, operatives of a special operations unit of the Agency on Tuesday 14th January raided the hideout of a 59-year-old Nwokedi Emeka Jonas in Ojodu-Berger area of the state where they recovered 10 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 4.9kg as well as different paper bags he uses in dispensing the psychoactive substance in retail quantities. Printed on them include street names and codes such as ‘Dead man’; ‘Gelato top shelf smoke’; ‘Topshelf’; and ‘Gelato cake’

In other operations in Lagos, operatives of the state Command of the Agency on Wednesday 15th January raided a house in Igando New Town area of Alimosho where they arrested three suspects: Isaac Vincent, 32; Ebube Ikechi, 25; and Christopher Usifoh, 43, from whom 1,610kg skunk, a strain of cannabis and 6kg pills of tramadol were recovered. Also recovered from the house were a delivery van and three other vehicles used for distributing the illicit drugs.

Two suspects: Olashile Okoya and Mohammed Ibrahim were arrested on Saturday 18th January when NDLEA officers raided their home at 5A Addison Palmer, Cadogan Estate, Castle Rock Avenue, Osapa, Lekki Lagos, where 28 kilograms of Cannadian Loud were recovered following credible intelligence.

Not less than 67kg skunk was seized from Saheed Sulaiman on Thursday 16th January when NDLEA operatives raided his Edumare street, Lagos Island hideout, while various quantities of assorted illicit substances were recovered from Adamu Abdullahi on Tuesday 14th January when Jerry Irabi Estate, Lekki hideout was raided by NDLEA officers. They include 3.7 litres of codeine syrup; 10,000 pills of tramadol; 1,670 tablets of rohypnol; 6.5kg cannabis; 3,100 tablets of diazepam; 10,090 tablets of Molly; 5,500 tabs of Exol-5; 1.2kg crisps of wrapped methamphetamine and a monetary exhibit of ₦623,650.00.

In Kano, two suspects: Usama Adamu, 25, and Isah Ibrahim, 29, were on Friday 17th January
arrested at Dawanau, Dawakin Tofa LGA where a total of 7.6kg skunk, 78 tubes of rubber solution and 356 bottles of ‘suck and die’, a new psychoactive substance were recovered from them. In another raid in Kano, Usman Isa, 29, was nabbed along Zaria road with 114 blocks of skunk weighing 49.8kg.

Three suspects: Lawali Isiaka, Umoru Isiaka and Mohammed Kabiru were on Wednesday 15th January arrested by NDLEA operatives with 390 tablets of Molly and 65.5kg of cannabis at Bode Saadu in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, while Samuel Ogbu, 24, was nabbed with 25,000 pills of tramadol by operatives along Wukari- Zaki Ibiam road, Wukari LGA, Taraba state.

In series of raids in Abuja, a suspect, Rufa'i Hashimu, 27, was arrested at Gwarimpa village area of the FCT with 118 bottles of codeine-based syrup, while 13 others were nabbed in other locations such as: Area1 IDP camp, Gishiri, Zuba, Dei -Dei, AYA, Lagos Street Garki, Karu, and Lugbe. Recovered from them include different quantities of tramadol, diazepam, and methamphetamine.

With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of NUD Basic Primary School, Orile-Igbon, Oyo state; Corpus Christi College, Ilawe Ekiti; Holy Family International Schools, Calabar; Kudam Islamic School, Osogbo; Business Apprenticeship Training Centre, Kankia, Katsina, while Abia state command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to Governor Alex Otti, among others.

While commending the officers and men of Lagos, Kogi, SOPU, Kano, Kwara, FCT, and Taraba Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged them and their compatriots across the country not to rest on their oars as they intensify their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday 19th January 2025

SWIMMING POOL ACCIDENT: LASG SHUTS SCHOOL, COMMENCES INVESTIGATION

The attention of the Lagos State Safety Commission has been drawn to the swimming pool accident that occurred at Smiley Kids Montessori, Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos, on Wednesday, 15th January 2025, which led to the death of a two-year-old female, Rapheala Ogbodo.

The officials of the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education have visited the scene of the accident to carry out a preliminary investigation and ascertain the root cause of the unfortunate incident.

While the school is presently under lock pending further investigation, the State Government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim and expresses its commitment to preventing future occurrences.

The Director-General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, stated that all school owners and caregivers must comply with safety regulations to prevent accidents in the State.

Mojola further stated that further information would be made available upon completion of investigations into the accident.

SUIT OF RIVERS FORMER LG CHAIRMEN SEEKING TENURE ELONGATION SUFFERED SET BACK

Today, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja Division has put to rest the request for an elongation of tenure of 21 former Local Government chairmen in Rivers State.

This concerned the SUIT No.FHC/ABJ/ CS/537/2024- CHIDI J. LLOYD & 42 ORS v INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE & 12 ORS.

The suit was filed on the 23rd day of April 2024 at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, by Chidi J. Lloyd and 20 former Local Government Council chairmen in Rivers State.

In the suit, Chidi Lloyd and his co-travellers had sought legal imprimateur for their continued stay in office as Local Government Council chairmen.

This is in spite of the fact that their 3 years tenure had expired on the 16th of June 2024.

Their pretensions were anchored on the Local Government Amendment Law illegally passed by their fellow co-travellers in the Rivers State House of Assembly; Martin Chike Amaewhule, and his 26 FRIENDS, who automatically ceased to be members of RSHA by reason of their defection on the 11th day of December 2023.

But the judgment has stopped that pretensions and struck out the suit for want of locus standi.

His Lordship was emphatic that Chidi J. Lloyd and his 20 co-travellers ceased to be Local Government Council chairmen and thus have no rights whatsoever to parade as such.

Nigeria’s annual inflation rate rose to 34.80 per cent in December 2024 from 34.60 per cent in November, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Wednesday.

This marks a continuation of the upward trend observed in September 2024, when the nation recorded a reversal of a two-month decline.

The statistics office said the December 2024 headline inflation rate showed a marginal increase of 0.20 per cent compared to the November 2024 headline inflation rate.

This, it said, was due to December festive period increases in demand for goods and services.

The statistics office said the December 2024 headline inflation rate showed a marginal increase of 0.20 per cent compared to the November 2024 headline inflation rate.

This, it said, was due to December festive period increases in demand for goods and services.

On a year-on-year basis, the NBS said the headline inflation rate was 5.87 per cent higher than the rate recorded in December 2023 (28.92 per cent).

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in December 2024 compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., December 2023),” it said.

On the contrary, the bureau said on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in December 2024 was 2.44 per cent, which was 0.20 per cent lower than the rate recorded in November 2024 (2.64 per cent).

“This means that in December 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level is slightly lower than the rate of increase in the average price level in November 2024,” the report added.

According to the report, the food inflation rate in December 2024 was 39.84 per cent on a year-on-year basis, 5.91 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in December 2023 (33.93 per cent).

Gunshots erupted near the venue of the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led, three-member Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday morning, causing widespread panic.

Lawyers, litigants, politicians, and reporters scrambled for safety to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

However, swift intervention by fully-armed security operatives restored calm, allowing the tribunal sitting at the Edo High Court Complex on Sapele Road, Benin, to continue.

Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe, condemned the incident, describing the shootings as deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

Tenebe said: “The tribunal is a sacred space, where justice is meant to be administered impartially. Any act of violence within its walls undermines the very foundation of our legal system and threatens the safety of all involved.

“Regardless of political affiliation, resorting to violence to resolve disputes is never justifiable. We must all condemn the shootings in the strongest possible terms.”

Edo chairman of APC also stated that violence had no place in a civilised society, while declaring that the people that were responsible for the heinous act must be brought to justice swiftly and without exception.

The former representative of Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of the APC, won the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo, and was inaugurated on November 12 last year.

Seven of 18 political parties that participated in the election, which filed petitions at the tribunal, were Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Accord (A), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Action Alliance (AA), which wanted their candidates to be declared winner of the keenly-contested poll.

I write to formally tender my resignation as a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This decision, though deeply personal and difficult, is borne out of my commitment to a new chapter of service that aligns with my vision of uplifting humanity through empowering the youth.

Over the years, I have been honored to be part of the PDP, a platform that has significantly shaped Nigeria’s political landscape and contributed immensely to nation building. However, I have recently dedicated myself to a new youth movement that seeks to inspire, empower, and transform the lives of our young people, who are the bedrock of our nation’s future.

In light of this, I wish to avoid any potential conflict of interest that may arise from my political affiliations. My focus will now be solely on creating avenues for youth empowerment, fostering innovation, and promoting values that build a prosperous future for all.

I remain grateful for the opportunities I have had to contribute to the party and its Ideals. I commend the leadership and members for their relentless efforts to promote democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

As I transition into this new phase of my life, I seek your understanding and wish the PDP continued success in its endeavors.

Thank you for your guidance, camaraderie, and the opportunity to serve under this noble platform.

Former Inspector General of Police, Chief Mike Okiro, has declared that no court order stopped him from contesting in the just concluded President-General election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide election.

Okiro made the disclosure when he briefed journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday.

He said he was a victim of false information because he obeyed the purported order as a law-abiding citizen, stressing that there was no area in the certified true copy of the order from Enugu High Court, where he was barred from taking part in the election.

A 40ft trailer load of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 2,217.6 kilograms has been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, while being distributed into six vehicles at an abandoned fuel station in Kagini, Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja for onward distribution to some Northern states.
The intelligence-led operation, which took place at 1:20am on Saturday 11th January 2025 led to the seizure of not only the large illicit consignment but also the trailer and the six vehicles: Toyota Van, Toyota Camry car, Toyota Sienna bus, JAC 4-wheel-drive Hilux truck, Toyota Corolla car and a Vento Passat car as well as the arrest of a suspect: 42-year-old Isaac Monday Desmond. The consignment was loaded into the trailer at Uzebba in Owan local council area of Edo State.

In another raid in the FCT, two suspects: Anthony Nnamdi, 42, and Abba Ali, 27, were arrested by NDLEA officers at Nyanya, where a combined 1.398kg cocaine and a precursor substance used in preparing crack cocaine were recovered from them.

No fewer than 20 wraps of cocaine weighing 330grams have been recovered from a cargo going to Australia at a logistics firm in Lagos by officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, in NDLEA. The cocaine parcels were concealed around the body of face cream containers in the shipment.

A total of Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred (338,200) bottles of codeine-based syrup worth more than One Billion One Hundred and Ninety Million One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Naira (N1,190,168,200.00) in street value, were intercepted in two containers watch-listed by the Agency following processed intelligence.

The illicit consignments were discovered during joint examination of the containers by NDLEA operatives, Customs and other security agencies on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th January 2025 at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state.

In Lagos, the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine, Alpha beach Ajah Lekki where 2,760kg skunk was recovered on 25th October 2024, Bariu Aliu (alias Malo) has been arrested by NDLEA operatives after over three months of manhunt for him. Though two of his accomplices were earlier arrested at the shrine last year and had since been charged and convicted in court, Bariu was said to be the leader of the syndicate.

A suspect, Habibu Ya'u, 23, was nabbed by NDLEA officers who raided Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria road, Kano on Thursday 9th January where they recovered 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2kg; and 40,800 pills of opioids including tramadol from him.

With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Ijaye Housing Estate Junior Secondary School, Lagos state; surrendered Boko Haram members at Hajj camp, Maiduguri, Borno state; Muslim faithful during their Juma’at prayer at Kamba Central Mosque, Kebbi state, while Kano state Command paid a WADA advocacy visit to the District Head of Danbatta, Dr. Mansur Mukhtar, among others.

While commending the officers and men of DOGI, FCT, PHPC, Lagos, and Kano Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that 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.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday 12th January 2025

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES SENATOR JOHN AZUTA-MBATA ON ELECTION AS PRESIDENT OF OHANAEZE NDIGBO

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his election as the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide

Azuta-Mbata, a former senator, represented Rivers East in the Senate from 1999 to 2007.

He was elected as president of the preeminent Pan-Igbo socio-cultural group at its meeting in Enugu on Friday.

President Tinubu also congratulates the group on the successful leadership transition and enjoins the new leaders to uphold the principles of their predecessors.

The President recognises the critical role of socio-cultural organisations in nation-building; hence, his commitment to promoting dialogue among our ethnic nationalities.

President Tinubu wishes the newly elected Ohanaeze Ndigbo president success as he takes on this onerous yet noble and lofty task.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
January 10,2025

Press Release
08/01/2025

Gov Yusuf’s Adviser Dies a Day After Swearing-In, as Gov Extends Heartfelt Condolence

Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Engr. Ahmad Ishaq Bunkure, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Works, who died Wednesday in Egypt.

This was disclosed in a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Wednesday.

In his condolence message, Governor Yusuf described the death of Engr. Bunkure as a tragic and irreplaceable loss to Kano State, his family, and the wider political community.

He prayed for Allah’s mercy on the deceased and strength for his family to bear the painful loss.

“This is a heartbreaking moment for us as a government. Engr. Bunkure was a dedicated professional whose expertise and contributions were expected to drive our administration’s vision for development. His loss is deeply felt,” the governor said.

Engr. Ahmad Ishaq Bunkure had only been apointed as Special Adviser on Works, making his sudden death a shock to many.

Condolences have continued to pour in, including from His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and members of the Kano State Government.

Signed
Sunusi Bature DawakinTofa
Director General
Media and Publicity
Goverment House Kano