News
NDLEA Intercepts China, UK-bound Drug Consignments
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted two parcels, containing Cocaine and Amphetamine concealed in steel bolts and shea butter.
This is contained in a statement by NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy , Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, (DOGI), attached to a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday May 15, intercepted the consignments.
He said the cocaine which weighed 587g, was concealed in eight steel bolt screws going to China.
He also said the Amphetamine consignment packed in vape pens and hidden in shea butter was going to the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile. Attempt by Emeka Nwadiaro (a.k.a Mega) to export 3.6kg Loud, a strain of cannabis concealed in 36 water flasks to Dubai, UAE was also thwarted.
Babafemi said that the attempt was foiled at a logistic company in Port Harcourt, Rivers on Thursday May 16.
“A swift follow up operation led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Emeka Nwadiaro in Onitsha, Anambra, same day, “ he said.
Also, NDLEA operatives in Lagos intercepted a mercedes benz bus loaded with 840kg cannabis and arrested the driver, Samuel Henry, at Olojo in Ojo area of Lagos.
Babafemi said that another suspect, Lawal Adam was nabbed along Otukpo road, Aliade, Benue on Friday, May 17 with 75,000 pills of opioids including tramadol and exol-5.
“Two suspects: Olisa Etisi, 32, and Jonathan Umeh, 25, were arrested along Owerri – Onitsha road, Imo.
This followed the discovery by NDLEA operatives of a big gas cylinder used to conceal six blocks of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 3.85kg, “he said.
In another development, Babafemi said that a 70-year-old Adamu Mohammed was arrested at Mbulamel, Biu area of Borno on Thursday, May 16 with two kg cannabis and 33.55 grams of diazepam.
Babafemi said that another suspected drug trafficker, Gaddafi Sani, 27, was arrested with 30kg of cannabis along Abuja-Kaduna road, Kaduna
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…