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…as NDLEA nabs kingpins
. Recovers 401 military grade ammunition concealed in palm oil kegs, others in Kaduna, Katsina; seizes UK-bound tramadol consignment in black soup containers

A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United kingdom.
Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday 23rd July 2026 following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives. In the course of investigation, three cargo agents: Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment were initially arrested leading to the arrest Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.
Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventually arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.

A 31-year-old entrepreneur Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo also involved in illicit drug trafficking was on Tuesday 21st July arrested at her Surulere Lagos residence by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday 20th July.
In another interdiction operation at the Lagos airport, a total of Two Million Two Hundred and Forty (2,240,000,000) pills of Tapentadol 250mg worth over N2.2 billion in street value were recovered from a shipment from India aboard an Air Maroc flight during a joint examination of the cargo on Friday 24th July. The exercise was based on an intelligence received and processed by NDLEA. This came on the heels of the seizure of a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK. The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday 22nd July.

At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, a container of three vehicles used to conceal a total number of 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud weighing 2,388.5kg worth over N7.1 billion in street value, was uncovered during a joint examination of the shipment on Monday 20th July.
A suspect Mustapha Sani, 30, was on Wednesday 22nd July nabbed by NDLEA operatives
on patrol operation at Baure, Safana LGA, Katsina state where he was found with 323 rounds of military grade ammunition consisting of 200 pieces of 7.62mm and 123 rounds of 7.6mm neatly concealed.

Another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, 30, was arrested by NDLEA officers on stop and search operation at Jere, along Abuja-Kaduna expressway where he was found with 73 RLA, 7.62mm ammunition hidden in kegs of red oil. Both suspects have been handed over to the relevant security agency for further investigation.

In Edo state, raid operations at Ilushi community, Esan South East LGA, on Sunday 19th July led to the seizure of 1,286kg cannabis and 86kg cannabis seeds from a warehouse while Ojore Onweze, 45, was caught with 60kg skunk and George Agwumede, 30, nabbed with 13kg of the same substance.

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 sensitization lecture to students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Sabon Wuse, Niger state; Government Girls Secondary School, Shekara, Kano; and Otto Primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of DOGI, MMIA, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna, and Katsina Commands for the various successful operations, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

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The Management of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, has expelled two students for alleged involvement in gay practice and rusticated four others for one academic session over a campus fight.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the university’s Information and Protocol Unit, the sanctions were ratified during the 31st Regular Meeting of the University Senate following recommendations from the Students’ Disciplinary Committee.

The statement read, “The Management of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, has approved the expulsion of two students for involvement in gay practice and the rustication of four others for one academic session over acts of fighting on campus.”

The affected students were notified in letters signed by the Deputy Registrar, Academics, Eli Gbadafu, copies of which were made available to the Information, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of the university.

The statement further read, “The institution stated that the disciplinary actions were taken in accordance with the provisions of the Students’ Handbook, Second Edition, as amended in 2025.”

Onumoko Hamza of the Biology Education department and Abdulazeez Eneji of the Mining Engineering department were expelled over gay practice.

Four other students were rusticated for one academic session over fighting. They are Favor Akowe of the Microbiology department, Simbiat Babamuharuna of the Biology department, Zainab Omayoza of the Biochemistry department, and Sukura Bukola, also of the Biochemistry department.

The statement read, “The University Management reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline, order and a conducive environment for teaching and learning.”

It added, “Management warned that it would not hesitate to take decisive disciplinary action against any student found guilty of violating the rules and regulations of the University.”

The statement read further, “Students are therefore advised to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Students’ Handbook and conduct themselves in accordance with the established rules and regulations of the University.”

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the South-West region has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Senate had passed an amendment to the FRSC Act, proposing tougher penalties for a range of traffic offences as part of efforts to improve road safety and strengthen compliance with traffic regulations.

One of the major provisions of the amendment bill introduces a N100,000 fine for motorists who fail to obey traffic lights, road signs, road markings, or other traffic control devices.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Bishop Dr. Barnabas Tunde Akinsanya, CAN said it supports the Federal government’s efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents.

It explained that it is concerned about the provisions prescribing sanctions for preaching in commercial buses and prohibiting hawking in such vehicles.

The association further argued that the measures could also infringe on the constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression.

According to the association, although the government has a responsibility to protect lives and ensure public safety, it must also uphold the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

“We therefore respectfully appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withhold assent to the Bill in its present form and encourage further consultation with relevant stakeholders, including religious bodies, civil society organisations, legal experts, transport unions, and road safety professionals.

“Such dialogue will help produce legislation that effectively promotes road safety while preserving the constitutional rights and dignity of every Nigerian,” the statement said.

The association also warned that an outright ban on hawking in commercial buses could worsen the economic hardship facing many Nigerians who rely on informal trading for their daily livelihood.

Rather than introducing measures that could further reduce people’s means of survival, CAN urged the government to focus on creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty, improving public transportation, strengthening security and enhancing citizens’ welfare.

The Christian body appealed to President Tinubu to decline assent to the bill in its current form and instead facilitate broader consultations involving religious organisations, civil society groups, legal experts, transport unions and road safety professionals.

It maintained that such engagement would help produce legislation that enhances road safety without undermining the constitutional rights and dignity of Nigerians.

CAN stressed that Nigeria needs laws that promote national unity, safeguard lives without unnecessarily restricting fundamental freedoms, and strengthen public confidence in democratic governance.

The association, however, reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with government to advance justice, peace, constitutional democracy and national development.