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NDLEA intercepts opioids, meth in carton walls, winter jackets, cream at MMIA (Photos)
. Recovers large consignments of illicit drugs in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, Adamawa raids
Desperate attempts by members of Drug Trafficking Organisations (DTOs) to move consignments of illicit substances especially methamphetamine and opioids concealed in walls of carton, winter jackets and body cream containers to countries in Europe have been foiled by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja and a courier firm in Lagos.
Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested. One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka was going to Rome, Italy on Friday 20th March 2026 when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin light body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
In his statement, Ehianuka who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.
In another drug bust, NDLEA operatives at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on Wednesday 18th March intercepted a passenger Christian Agbonhese, who was attempting to board a Lufthansa Airlines flight to Milan, Italy. Upon a thorough search of his luggage, no fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan.
At a courier firm in Lagos, NDLEA officers on Monday 16th March intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped to Lagos from the United States. Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 18th March arrested a suspect Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed same day at Naibawa Gabas, with 95.5kg of same psychoactive substance.
Not less than 21, 737 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from a store at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos when NDLEA operatives raided the area on Wednesday 18th March, while two suspects: Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara were arrested same day on 3rd mainland bridge, conveying 8,380 bottles of same substance.
While 97.5kg skunk was recovered from the home of a suspect Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo LGA, Edo State, on Monday 16th March, NDLEA operatives in Abuja on Wednesday 18th March intercepted a commercial bus along Gwagwalada expressway in the FCT. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in its body compartments. The bus driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was promptly taken into custody.
In Oyo state, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday 17th March arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan river.
Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria highway, Kaduna on Tuesday 17th March, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at same location on Friday 20th March. Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives in Taraba state on Tuesday 17th March intercepted a suspect Aliyu Adamu, 26, along Takum-Jalingo highway while conveying 77,660 capsules of tramadol to Gombe.
In Adamawa state, no fewer than six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg tramadol in a truck in Yola on Tuesday 17th March. Suspects who are joint owners of the consignment include: Ramatu Aliyu; Jungudo Abdullahi; Najid Abdullahi; Musa Mohammed; Usman Abdulrahim and Musa Mohammed. They were all arrested in swift follow-up operations.
In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities in the past week. These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Girls High School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; New State High School, Mushin, Lagos; Cornerstone Secondary School, Sankwala, Cross River; Community Secondary School, Ngwo-Uno, Udi, Enugu and St. John’s Academy, Ipokia LGA, Ogun state, among others.
While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa Commands for the arrests, and seizures, 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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FCT Traditional Rulers Hail Tinubu’s Developmental Strides, Confers Wike With “Light of Abuja” Chieftaincy Title(Photos)
Traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has conferred on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the Chieftaincy title of “Hasken Abuja” (Light of Abuja), in recognition of his contributions to the development of the territory.
The traditional rulers, who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the infrastructural development in the FCT, especially the satellite towns, asked for more recognition of the indigenous people of the federal capital.
Speaking during an appreciation visit by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Conference Hall in Abuja, the Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Dr. Adamu Baba Yunusa, praised the administration for improving the welfare of traditional rulers and approved projects such as the construction of a new palace in Abaji.
The monarch noted that the honor recognizes Wike’s “visionary leadership” and “commitment to the development of the FCT,” specifically citing his recent approval for the construction of a new Ona Palace in Abaji, the upgrading of the status and welfare of FCT traditional rulers, and structural reforms that have restored dignity to the traditional institution.
Reading out their list of “more work for hard work,” the traditional rulers requested the provision of 17 tractors—one for each of the 17 Chiefdoms—to bolster food security for the territory’s rural agrarian communities.
They also advocated for the elevation of historically significant chiefdoms, such as Garki and Jiwa, to higher statuses.
Responding to traditional rulers demands, Wike promised to protect the interests of the indigenous people, granting several immediate requests:
He directed the Mandate Secretary for Agriculture to provide tractors for each of the 17 Chiefdoms.
Also, he instructed the Council of Chiefs to submit names for the creation of third-class traditional stools, stating, “It is not in my position to write who will be… you people should do the right thing.”
He pledged to resolve issues regarding land certificates based on the numbers submitted by the stakeholders.
”I’m now from here. For me to be the Light of Abuja, I must do everything to protect your interest,” Wike concluded, while maintaining that the FCT’s political future depends on having a “strong voice” in the National Assembly to lobby for the expansion of senatorial seats.
On the 2027 elections, the minister counselled the FCT stakeholders against electing weak or inexperienced representatives, saying that such choices could leave the territory voiceless at the National Assembly.
“The Senate is not an all-comers’ game. Experience matters, ranking matters… you must have a strong voice there,” he said.
The minister expressed concern that past representation had failed to effectively articulate the needs of the FCT, urging stakeholders to make more strategic decisions in future elections.
“You elected a senator you can’t see… a senator who cannot even organise the indigenous community to ask what their needs are,” he stated.
Wike said that repeating such mistakes would further weaken the territory’s ability to attract development and influence national policy decisions.
“If you make a mistake this time, it will be difficult for you. When it was time to help yourself, you didn’t help… don’t expect miracles,” he added as he endorsed Sen Philip Tanimu Aduda.
Beyond electoral choices, the minister linked political alignment with development outcomes, noting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had continued to deliver infrastructure projects in the FCT despite low electoral support in the 2023 elections.
“In 2023, most of you did not give Mr. President up to six per cent, yet he has done so much for you… now that you know, do not make that mistake again,” he said.
“In 2023, most of you did not give Mr. President up to six per cent, yet he has done so much for you… now that you know, do not make that mistake again,” he said.
He disclosed that several projects, including water supply schemes in rural communities and new road networks, would soon be inaugurated as part of activities marking the President’s anniversary in office.
“Mr. President has touched virtually all the satellite towns… more roads will be constructed to open up our communities,” Wike said.
The minister also charged incoming area council chairmen to focus on governance and address pressing challenges, particularly in the education sector.
“It cannot continue that our children are at home because of strikes. Education is a first priority… without it, there cannot be development,” he emphasised.
Earlier, President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr. Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, commended the minister for ongoing reforms and infrastructural development, while presenting key demands including increased representation for the FCT at the National Assembly and the creation of additional area councils.
The event, which opened with remarks from former Federal Commissioner Dr. Aliyu Almakura Abdulkadir, underscored a new era of collaborative governance, with the traditional institution positioning itself as a central pillar in the FCT’s drive for political and economic expansion.
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Watch moment FCT minister Wike being conferred with title of Abuja Hasken, Light of Abuja by FCT Traditional Council led by Ona of Abaji (Video)
Watch moment FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, being conferred with the title of Hasken Abuja (The Light of Abuja) today, by the FCT Traditional Council led by The Ona of Abaji, Dr Adamu Baba Yunusa.
It’s indeed a well deserved title as truly Wike brought light to the Territory.
Watch:
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has increased the premium motor spirit price after Dangote Refinery raised its gantry price.
A market survey by DAILY POST on Thursday showed NNPCL outlets in Abuja and its environs have adjusted their petrol pump price to N1,364 per liter from N1,295. This means that the state-owned oil firm hiked petrol by N69 per liter.
The latest fuel prices have been implemented at Gwarimpa, Kubwa Expressway, Wuse Zone 6, and Zone 4 NNPCL filling stations in Abuja.
“We adjusted our pump price to N1364 per liter from N1295 this morning, an attendant said.
Filling stations in Abuja, such as MRS, BOVAS, and others, have raised their petrol price to between N1365 and N1370 per liter.
Recall that Dangote Refinery had on Wednesday increased its fuel gantry price by N75 to N1,275 per liter from N1,200 due to a hike in crude oil price to above $115 per liter.
FCT Traditional Rulers Hail Tinubu’s Developmental Strides, Confers Wike With “Light of Abuja” Chieftaincy Title(Photos)
Watch moment FCT minister Wike being conferred with title of Abuja Hasken, Light of Abuja by FCT Traditional Council led by Ona of Abaji (Video)
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