All categories

News

Lifestyle

Entertainment

Pulse Picks

Business

Video

Segun Adeyemi

<h2>The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have jointly requested a 90-day extension from a U.S. District Court to complete the release of documents related to an alleged 1990s drug investigation involving Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.</h2>

The request, filed Thursday, May 1, with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, follows a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit by Aaron Greenspan, a legal transparency advocate and founder of PlainSite.

Greenspan<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/us-agencies-set-to-release-files-on-alleged-tinubu-drug-probe-by-may-2-2025043008161237865"> seeks records related to a Chicago-based drug ring</a>, naming Tinubu and others, including Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Abegboyega Akande, and Abiodun Agbele.

In the joint filing, the FBI and DEA informed the court that although searches had been initiated, they would need three more months to locate and process non-exempt, segregable records.

“The FBI and DEA have initiated their searches... and anticipate completing their searches in ninety days,” the agencies wrote.

Judge Beryl Howell had previously<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/local/us-court-orders-fbi-dea-to-release-records-on-tinubus-drug-probe-2025041315090214576"> ordered the agencies to provide a status update</a> by May 2, 2025.

However, this latest filing could further delay the release of potentially significant documents. Greenspan, who has long criticised the agencies’ pace, strongly opposed the extension.

“The FBI and DEA have delayed this process for years, despite already identifying some relevant documents,” he said.

He has proposed a much shorter timeline for the release, accusing the agencies of stalling.

The outcome of this legal standoff could have international ramifications, given Tinubu’s current role as Nigeria’s head of state and the long-standing questions surrounding his past in the United States.

The court must decide whether to grant the extension or compel the agencies to expedite the document release.

The outcome of this legal standoff could have international ramifications, given Tinubu’s current role as Nigeria’s head of state and the long-standing questions surrounding his past in the United States.

FBI, DEA appeal for extension to release Tinubu drug probe files

<h2>Multiple U.S. government agencies are expected to release long-requested documents on Friday, May 2, relating to a decades-old drug investigation that allegedly involved Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.</h2>

The anticipated disclosures follow a ruling from Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia,<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/local/us-court-orders-fbi-dea-to-release-records-on-tinubus-drug-probe-2025041315090214576"> who ordered the agencies to submit a joint status report and release the documents</a> in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed by transparency advocate Aaron Greenspan in June 2023, demanded records from six federal bodies: the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Department of State, the FBI, the IRS, the DEA, and the CIA, though the CIA is exempt from disclosure in this instance.

In a strongly worded opinion, Judge Howell rejected the agencies’ continued resistance to the FOIA requests.

“The government’s position that these records must remain sealed is neither logical nor plausible,” she stated.

<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/us-court-upholds-cias-position-on-bola-tinubus-past-records-2024111911405928394">READ ALSO: US court confirms CIA's position on Bola Tinubu's past records</a>

Greenspan’s requests, submitted between 2022 and 2023, sought details from a joint federal investigation reportedly involving Tinubu and three others—Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Abegboyega Akande, and Abiodun Agbele—allegedly tied to a drug trafficking network.

While the nature and content of the documents remain unclear ahead of their release, Howell’s ruling is being seen as a significant win for government transparency.

In response, Nigeria’s presidency downplayed the relevance of the upcoming disclosure.

Officials insisted that the documents contain nothing “new or incriminating” and accused critics of attempting to revive an old controversy for political purposes.

The developments are likely to renew scrutiny of longstanding allegations that have followed President Tinubu for years, despite no criminal convictions ever resulting from past investigations.

The developments are likely to renew scrutiny of longstanding allegations that have followed President Tinubu for years, despite no criminal convictions ever resulting from past investigations.

US agencies set to release files on alleged Tinubu drug probe by May 2

<h2>South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has successfully arrested K Jeff, a notorious Nigerian drug syndicate leader, in a high-profile joint operation.</h2>

K Jeff, 59, was the mastermind behind a vast global <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/local/ndlea-arrests-businesswoman-auto-parts-dealer-over-uk-bound-cocaine-2024092617560205744">drug trafficking and scam network </a>operating across Southeast Asia, Africa, Korea, the United States, and Europe.

His syndicate smuggled narcotics while orchestrating elaborate romance and investment scams to deceive unsuspecting individuals into acting as drug couriers.

Authorities say his victims were often tricked into transporting drug-laced backpacks, groceries, or confectionery under the guise of delivering gifts.

<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="NDLEA intercepts 2,000kg cannabis coming from Ghana at Lagos beach">READ ALSO: NDLEA intercepts 2,000kg cannabis coming from Ghana at Lagos beach</a>

One such victim, a Korean woman in her 50s, was arrested last year while unknowingly smuggling cocaine from Brazil to Cambodia via Korea.

Korean intelligence officials have linked K Jeff to a Nigerian drug ring dismantled in 2021.

“So far, we have seized 45.6 kg of drugs, including 28.4 kg of methamphetamine, and arrested 38 members of his network,” an NIS spokesperson said.

Despite being deported from Korea in 2008 after serving a one-year prison sentence for drug-related offences, K Jeff allegedly resumed his illicit operations, facilitating drug trafficking from Nigeria into Korea and beyond.

His arrest marks a major victory for international anti-narcotics efforts, with authorities vowing to dismantle the remaining elements of his criminal empire.

His arrest marks a major victory for international anti-narcotics efforts, with authorities vowing to dismantle the remaining elements of his criminal empire.

Drug cartel boss K Jeff arrested in joint Nigeria-Korea raid

<h2>In a shocking development ahead of the upcoming Kano State local government elections, 20 aspirants have tested positive for drug use, according to the Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). </h2>

The revelation was made by the agency's state commander, Abubakar Ahmad, who confirmed that the candidates were from the ruling New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP).

The aspirants were found to have used substances such as opioids, THC (the active compound in cannabis), benzodiazepines, and nicotine.

Ahmad stressed that the drug screening process is still ongoing and more results could follow.

READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/apc-asks-ndlea-to-conduct-drug-test-on-edo-governorship-election-candidates/j2dkn2j">APC asks NDLEA to conduct drug test on Edo governorship election candidates</a>

"So far, 20 aspirants presented to us by the ruling party (NNPP) in the state have tested positive for multiple drugs," he said, adding that the tests form part of the screening process before the final candidate list is submitted to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

<h3>No female aspirant tested positive - NDLEA</h3>

One notable aspect of the testing is that no female aspirants have tested positive for drugs so far.

Ahmad further noted that some of the substances detected are related to tobacco, sparking a debate about whether it should be classified as a drug.

"It is left for the electoral commission to decide if tobacco is a drug or not because it is something you find even in kola nut," he said.

This is not Kano's first introduction of compulsory drug tests for political aspirants. <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/some-candidates-in-kano-lg-elections-fail-drug-test-ndlea/f8tmfp6">Back in 2018, the state government implemented similar measures for political appointees,</a> civil servants, and students seeking tertiary education admissions.

The local government elections, scheduled for October 26, will determine the occupants of 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship seats across Kano State.

The NDLEA confirmed that no female aspirants have tested positive for drugs so far. [Getty Images]

In a shocking development ahead of the upcoming Kano State local government elections, 20 aspirants have tested positive for drug use, according to the Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

NDLEA confirms 20 aspirants in Kano LG poll test positive for drug

<h2>The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns over the safety of bread sold in Nigerian markets, revealing that many products are failing laboratory tests due to using saccharine, a sugar substitute. </h2>

This alarming trend stems from the high cost of sugar, which forces producers to cut corners and potentially endanger consumer health.

Mrs Roseline Ajayi, NAFDAC's Southwest Coordinator, <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/stop-storing-cooked-food-in-refrigerator-for-over-days-nafdac/nw041mg">issued a stern warning</a> during a stakeholders' engagement meeting in Ibadan on Friday.

She emphasised that the agency remains committed to upholding its standards despite manufacturers' economic challenges.

"Recently, we observed that bread sold in the markets is failing laboratory tests because producers are using saccharine due to the high cost of sugar," Ajayi stated.

"They are introducing ingredients that are not good for the health of the consumers. We are not unmindful of the prevailing economic challenges, but the agency will not compromise its standards. It is pertinent to note that the quality and safety of regulated products cannot be compromised."

NAFDAC cautioned water producers, patent medicine dealers, and other regulated product manufacturers against selling fake and substandard goods.

The agency's recent operations uncovered that some patent medicine dealers were distributing restricted drugs and unregistered products while certain manufacturers failed to meet packaging and storage standards.

<h3>Atiku's aide slams NAFDAC's complacency</h3>

In response to the NAFDAC report, Phrank Shaibu, senior assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, expressed his concern on social media, questioning the government's response to the crisis and sarcastically highlighting the lasting freshness of bread since the current administration took office.

"@NafdacAgency are u whining us? Are u not aware that @officialabat is the key to everlasting freshness in BREAD?…bread has refused to go bad since he came to power! …No laboratory tests required—simply place a loaf on your dining table for four weeks, and behold, it remains unaltered, defying the passage of time itself.

"When bread makers voiced their forex woes last November, did the government heed their call? Surely, an esteemed agency such as yours ought to have envisioned the inevitability of manufacturers resorting to copious amounts of preservatives to sustain their enterprises. Before long, whispers will morph into declarations, accusing @atiku,@peterobi, #Igbo, and #Northerners of orchestrating this saga," he wrote.

NAFDAC also cautioned water producers, patent medicine dealers, and other regulated product manufacturers against selling fake and substandard goods. [X, formerly Twitter]

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns over the safety of bread sold in Nigerian markets, revealing that many products are failing laboratory tests due to using saccharine, a sugar substitute.

Atiku's aide reacts as NAFDAC raises alarm over bread failing lab test

News Agency Of Nigeria

<h2>The Senate&nbsp;on&nbsp;Thursday, prescribed death sentence as penalty for trafficking in hard drugs and other substances in Nigeria.</h2>

This&nbsp;followed the passage of the&nbsp;National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Amendment Bill 2024. It also prescribed not more than 15 years imprisonment without the option of a&nbsp;fine,&nbsp;for conviction on the consumption of hard drugs and substances.

This&nbsp;followed the adoption of the&nbsp;report of&nbsp;Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Drugs and Narcotics on the NDLEA Amendment Act at plenary.

The report&nbsp;was presented&nbsp;by the Chairman of the committee, Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC -Borno). Monguno&nbsp;in&nbsp;his&nbsp;presentation&nbsp;said the amendment sought to strengthen the operations of the&nbsp;NDLEA, empower its operations to establish laboratories for forensic review and update the list of dangerous drugs.

He said the amendment&nbsp;was also designed&nbsp;to review penalties and enhance the powers of the NDLEA to prosecute drug-related offences and issue subsidiary legislation. He said the Senate had&nbsp;on&nbsp;February 28, deliberated on the bill, which&nbsp;was transmitted&nbsp;from the House of Representatives for&nbsp;the Senate’s&nbsp;concurrence.

He said it was&nbsp;important&nbsp;to&nbsp;make a general&nbsp;comment on the bill,&nbsp;especially on the classification of the offences and penalty categorisations of drug-related&nbsp;offences. He said the categorisations were peculiar and different from other laws because of the sentencing guideline used&nbsp;in the determination of&nbsp;drug-related offences.

“These guidelines in drug laws are designed to promote fairness, consistency and proportionality in the criminal justice system while considering the broader goals of rehabilitation and public safety.

“It is also important to note that several variables&nbsp;are used&nbsp;in determining&nbsp;the penalties imposed on a suspect.

“This includes type and quantity of controlled substance, defendant’s criminal history, intent behind drug-related activities, aggravating or mitigating circumstance such as organised crime, violence, use of offensive weapon.

“Others like&nbsp;endangerment of minors can aggravate penalties,&nbsp;conversely mitigating factors like cooperation with law enforcement or lack of prior criminal record may lessen the severity of punishment.”

Earlier,&nbsp;before&nbsp;the passage of the bill during clause-by-clause consideration, Sen. Ali Ndume (APC Borno),&nbsp;had moved a motion for amendment to clause 11 of the bill, which initially prescribed life imprisonment for drugs and substances trafficking in Nigeria. Ndume had called for stiffer sanctions and moved a motion for a prescribing death sentence.

The motion&nbsp;was seconded&nbsp;by Sen. Onyekachi Nwaebonyi (APC-Ebonyi), who said that drugs and substance trafficking were doing great harm to the nation&nbsp;and&nbsp;hence,&nbsp;stiffer penalties should be given&nbsp;to offenders.

When&nbsp;the voice vote for the adoption of the motion on the death penalty was put&nbsp;to vote, the “Yes” had their way as&nbsp;the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jubrin&nbsp;(APC- Kano), who was presiding ruled in favour of the “Yes.”

However, the decision did not go well for Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC – Edo), who objected to the ruling, saying that he was responsible to his constituents for every law passed in the&nbsp;Senate. He said&nbsp;issues of life and death&nbsp;should not be passed based on a “Yes or No” response, advocating for a voting by every senator.

Responding, Barau said the best approach for the Edo lawmaker was to have called for a division immediately after the clause on the death sentence was adopted. Barau said the decision to rule in favour of the “yes” was not the&nbsp;making of the presiding officer but on the voice vote of members.

Nigerian youths taking hard drugs [The Guardian Nigeria]

The Senate on Thursday, prescribed death sentence as penalty for trafficking in hard drugs and other substances in Nigeria.

Nigerians who take hard drugs can go to prison for 15 yrs if Tinubu signs new law

<h2>The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, says it has impounded some illicit drugs and arrested three suspected drug dealers in the state.</h2>

The Commanding Officer, Capt. Uche&nbsp;Aneke,&nbsp;disclosed this in Ibaka on Thursday while handing over the suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Aneke said that&nbsp;the suspects were tracked&nbsp;and arrested at about 10:00 am on Tuesday, following reliable intelligence from a member of the public.

He said that&nbsp;they were caught&nbsp;on a fibre boat carrying about 4,320 ampoules of Pethidine 100mg/2ml injection solution, a controlled synthetic opioid substance with high addiction potential.

"The intended receiver is located in Nigeria. So&nbsp;they&nbsp;wanted to smuggle the substances from Cameroon to Nigeria.

The commanding officer said that the navy was&nbsp;strongly&nbsp;committed to ridding the waterways of all&nbsp;manner of&nbsp;criminal activities.

"We shall continue to deploy advanced technologies to detect criminal activities along the waterways,”&nbsp;he said.

Receiving the suspects, Emmanuel Okon, Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, NDLEA command in Akwa Ibom, said that a thorough investigation would carried out on the matter.

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, says it has impounded some illicit drugs and arrested three suspected drug dealers in the state.

Nigerian Navy seizes illicit drugs, arrests suspected dealers in Akwa Ibom

Nurudeen Shotayo

Clerics, under the aegis of the Nigerian Cleric Council of Bishops and Imams (NCCBI), have held a special prayer session for the former head of the Intelligent Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian police, Abba Kyari.

The clerics gathered for the interfaith prayer session at the Unity Fountain in Abuja on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

The event, held in collaboration with Leadwell Africa Global Initiative, was intended to pray for peace in the country.

Recall that Kyari was suspended by the Nigerian police following his indictment by the United States government in an internet fraud case involving Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

Subsequently, the former Deputy Commissioner of Police was arrested by the Nigerian Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over alleged drug trafficking.

The disgraced Super Cop is currently being held in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service following his prosecution by the NDLEA.

Meanwhile, the bishops and imams called on President Tinubu to release Kyari as he may be key to finding solutions to the insecurity in the country.

The President of the group, Bishop Lawrence Ngene, who addressed the media, said they were “driven by the spirit of oneness and “as concerned citizens of our dear nation”.

While praying for the embattled police officer, the clerics said it's sad that common Nigerians are losing their lives to insecurity.

They also noted that some people have lost hope and confidence in the judicial system, as well as trust in their representatives at both the lower and upper chambers of the national assembly.

They decried the “loss of hope and trust in the electoral system in Nigeria. There are Nigerians in the Nigerian Correctional Centres that have not been tried at competent jurisdiction for their alleged crimes.”

The clerics further said they “feel the pain of Nigerians, who are calling for the immediate release of Abba Kyari and his team.

“It is upon these pains in the hearts of Nigerians that have prompted our gathering here today as concerned citizens of Nigeria. We pray to God Almighty to intervene in the ugly situations in which we have found ourselves as a nation."

Kyari is under prosecution by the NDLEA over alleged drug trafficking offences following his suspension by the Nigerian police.

Bishops, Imams hold special prayer for Abba Kyari

<h3>The Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) has called upon the Federal and State Governments to declare a state of emergency on substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria. </h3>

The call was made during a two-day Drug Prevention Treatment and Care (DPTC) training organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abuja.

The Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), led by Chairperson Olufolake Abdulrasaq, wife of the Kwara governor, issued a communique urging the Federal and State Governments to declare a state of emergency on substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The call to action came at the conclusion of a two-day Drug Prevention Treatment and Care (DPTC) training organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for wives of state governors in Abuja.

The forum emphasised the urgent need to revitalise the State Drug Control Committees (SDCC) and expand rehabilitation programs to address both the physical and mental health aspects of drug addiction and harm reduction.

Additionally, the governors’ wives agreed to foster good parenting practices, support NDLEA's Drug Integrity Testing Policy for early detection of drug use, and enhance collaboration between state governments, NDLEA, and other security agencies in combating drug use and trafficking.

Furthermore, the forum resolved to establish standard drug rehabilitation centres across the country, appoint first ladies as chairs of the SDCC, and adopt DPTC programs as forum projects chaired by the first ladies of the states.

They also noted the importance of reducing stigmatisation and cultural barriers to treatment, creating skill acquisition centres, and providing employment opportunities for young people to mitigate the risk of drug use and trafficking.

The governors’ wives stated the detrimental impact of drug use on criminality, school dropout rates, social and health issues, family problems, and national security.

They commended NDLEA's efforts under the leadership of retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, including awareness-raising, counselling, and rehabilitation initiatives.

In his closing remarks, Marwa applauded the commitment of the first ladies to the DPTC training and urged them to implement the lessons learned in their respective statements to combat drug abuse effectively.

Remi Tinubu admonishes governors’ wives on commitment to good governance. [Presidency]

The Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) has called upon the Federal and State Governments to declare a state of emergency on substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

Nigerian First Ladies call for state of emergency on drug abuse, trafficking

<h2>Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Wednesday destroyed seized contraband, counterfeit and expired goods in Sokoto state.</h2>

The NCS Comptroller in charge of&nbsp;Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, Musa Omale, said the items were accumulated seizures by NCS in the state. Omale said the items were certified by NAFDAC to be unfit for consumption and the exercise was supported by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He added that section 245 of the NCS Act 2023 empowers the service to seize goods that contravene customs and excise laws and be disposed of in such a manner as the service directs. The Area Controller warned smugglers to desist from the dastardly act which, according to him is inimical to the health of Nigerians and economic growth of the country.

He further assured that as the gatekeeper of the nation’s border, the NCS would continue to ensure that goods unhealthy for human consumption and injurious to the economy did not cross the border. Omale solicited increased synergy among collaborating security operatives and Nigerians to rid the country of smugglers.

He assured NAFDAC of the command’s unflinching support to its fight against counterfeit drugs and warned smugglers to desist from the act. The Area Controller stressed that the command was battle-ready to curtail the nefarious activities.

The Sokoto State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Alhaji Garba Adamu, thanked the NCS for the unwavering synergy and collaboration toward safeguarding the life and health of Nigerians.

“Any food items or drugs that did not pass through NAFDAC scrutiny, registration and approval are deemed to be unfit for human consumption as their quality and safety are not guaranteed,’’ Adamu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items destroyed included unregistered tomato paste, condensed milk, father shisha, ginger tea, Maggi and others. The exercise was witnessed by the personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Road Safety Corps and representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency.

Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Wednesday destroyed seized contraband, counterfeit and expired goods in Sokoto state.

Nigerian Customs, NAFDAC destroy seized contraband, expired goods in Sokoto

<h2>The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it secured the conviction of 67 drug traffickers in the state in 2023.</h2>

On Sunday in Benin, the state’s Sector Commander of the agency, Buba Wakawa, told newsmen&nbsp;that the convicts were among the suspects arrested between January and December of the year under review.

According to him, out of the 173 suspects arrested and charged to court in the year, 67 were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment by the courts in the state, after they were convicted of crimes.

Wakawa noted, however, that 106 cases involving drug suspects, were still pending at different stages in the courts.

The sector commander further disclosed that during the year, 414 drug-dependent persons were arrested by the drug reduction unit across the state.

These drug-dependent people, he said, were arrested, counselled and reunited with their families.

While appealing to the state's people to support the agency with useful information to enable it to succeed in the fight against illicit drugs, the NDLEA boss called on communities across the state to stop giving people land for drug substance cultivation.

106 cases involving drug suspects are still pending at different stages in Nigerian courts.

NDLEA secures conviction of 67 drug traffickers in Edo in 2023

<h2>The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT on Wednesday handed over 187 bags of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a display of inter-agency collaboration.</h2>

The Commander of the ship, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, handed over the substance to officials of the NDLEA at NNS BEECROFT, Apapa, Lagos.

Oguntuga said that the principle of burden sharing toward curbing crime and criminality in the maritime environment was a key priority of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla.

He added that the substances were confiscated from within the Badagry Creek, and Eleko Beach in Lekki.

“We have been collaborating with the NDLEA toward securing the maritime environment for economic prosperity.

“This is part of the achievement under the ongoing Operation Water Guard particularly with the deployment of the state-of-the art maritime domain awareness facility; the falcon eye.

“We were able to detect these economic saboteurs bringing this contraband from different angles within the maritime environment,” the commander said.

Oguntuga assured Nigerians that the Navy would continue to go after the perpetrators of these crimes and prevent illicit substances from coming into the country.

“The Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the NDLEA will continue to ensure that this act is stopped and that our country is made a better country.

“The gotten money is usually used to sponsor violence, criminality and other vices, also the use of drugs has negative effect on the addict with dire consequences on national security.

“I advice parents to follow up on their children in order to know what their wards are doing so as to curb all these menance in the country,” he stated.

Also, Commander of Narcotics, Marine&nbsp;Command, NDLEA, Paul Ahom, put the market value of the seized substance at over ₦200 million.

“The end of the year is usually a peak period for the transportation of drugs into the country to make financial gains and sponsor all manner of crimes perpetrated on the streets of Nigeria.

“The influx of cross border drug trafficking from Ghana, Togo via Republic of Benin to Nigeria has become a great challenge to the coastal interagency maritime policing.

“However, the NDLEA has established a robust relationship with the NNS Beecroft, that is why the evidence is demonstrated today in the handing over of these large number of seizures to the NDLEA,” Ahom added.&nbsp;

NDLEA confiscates 126kg of cocaine, 189kg of cannabis sativa in Ebonyi/Illustrative photo. [thenigerianvoice]

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT on Wednesday handed over 187 bags of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a display of inter-agency collaboration.

Nigerian Navy hands over 187 bags of cannabis sativa to NDLEA

<h2>The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos State, on Wednesday handed over 27 sacks of cannabis sativa worth ₦35 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Badagry.</h2>

The Commanding Officer, FOB, Badagry, Navy Capt. Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said this at the press briefing on Wednesday in Badagry. According to the Commanding Officer, operatives of the base seized the items on Sept. 29 at Pako Beach, close to Ajido, Seaside of the Base, in Badagry.

“On Sept. 29, at about 7.00.p.m, the Nigerian Navy FOB got an intelligence tip-off of suspected smuggling activities within our own area of operations.

“The intelligence indicated that a boat was sighted offloading products suspected to be cannabis sativa at Pako, close to Ajodi, Seaside of the Base.

“Consequently, the Base Quick Response Team, led by the Base Operations Officer and Base Intelligence Officer proceeded immediately to the scene of the crime for investigation and possible arrest.

“Sighting the team, the smugglers abandoned the narcotics at the beach and ran away. Subsequently, a total of 27 sacks of suspected products valued at about N35 million were recovered.

“The adjoining communities were also raided but neither products nor suspects were found,” he said.

Adam-Aliu, who said investigation was ongoing in conjunction with other security agencies to identify the drug trafficking syndicate, added that those found culpable would be arraigned.

He admonished criminal elements bringing drugs and illegal consignment into Nigeria to have a rethink, saying that it would be difficult to meander through the Nigerian waters under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla.

“It is impossible to do so because we will see you with our surveillance equipment and I will arrest you and ensure the arrest ends in prosecution. Nigeria waterways are not for illegality,” he added.

Receiving the exhibit, Owen Dinneys, the Commander of Narcotics, Area Commander, Seme Special Command of NDLEA, promised that investigation would begin on the seized items.

“We will ensure that whoever that is involved in the illegal drugs smuggling into the country is apprehended and justice will be done,” he noted.

Commanding Officer, FOB NN Badagry, handing over the 27 sacks of cannabis sativa to NDLEA commander in Badagry (Credit: NAN)

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos State, on Wednesday handed over 27 sacks of cannabis sativa worth ₦35 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Badagry.

Navy hands over cannabis sativa worth ₦35m to NDLEA in Badagry, Lagos

<h2>The Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) has bemoaned the growing menace of drug abuse and its disturbing societal trend.</h2>

The National President of the association, Mrs Rakiya Abubakar, during her maiden visit to NAFOWA institutions and Logistics Command Chapter in Lagos on Tuesday. Abubakar said that drug abuse had become a disturbing and worrisome menace that had derailed the youth from attaining great potential.

Abubakar appealed to all NAFOWA and Airmen Wives Association (AWA) members to keep very close watch on their children and know in details their friends and associates.

“We must get involved in the lives and activities of our children to eradicate this menace in the base and in the society at large.

“More worrisome is the fact that the girl-child and even the aged have joined this ugly and unproductive trend.

“I am very concerned about this societal ill that I am considering establishing a NAFOWA Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Centre which will be part of my mandate and legacy,” she said.

The president said that upon assumption of office in July, her administration was confronted with a little challenge as regards shop rent age and event centres especially in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“After objective investigations, we found out that the problem is a little above our reach and we sought the intervention of Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

“The matter is favourably handled at the headquarters and I have kept track of the issue to ensure it ends in NAFOWA’s interest.

“I want to assure those who have paid for rentage in NAFOWA shops, that they will not lose their money or its value,” she noted.

Abubakar said that the association was also embarking on schools reforms through improved curricular and academic syllabuses, infrastructural upgrade as well as installation of modern equipment.

According to her, the association&nbsp;has so far refurbished classrooms, carried out roof leakages repairs and installed new toilet fittings in the 20 toilets of NAFOWA Little Angels, Asokoro, Abuja.

“We have also opened primary 6 and equipped it with all the necessary learning aids in NAFOWA Little Angels, Kaduna.

“I have instructed the liaison officer to take note of all the structural and equipment deficiencies with the view of effecting immediate repairs in NAFOWA Little Angels, Lagos,” Abubakar added.

The president said that the association collaborated with the Ministry of Labour to upgrade its&nbsp;vocational centres to become trade test licensed centres.

Search results