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NDLEA intercepts N14.9bn opioids, arrests octogenarian, community leader’s wives, son +Photos
. . As Iran-bound drug mule excretes 76 wraps of cocaine at Kano airport
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a total of Twenty-Five Million (25,000,000.00) pills of tapentadol, an opioid three times stronger than tramadol and Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand (350,000) bottles of codeine-based syrup at the Tincan port complex in Lagos.
The seizures were made on Tuesday 17th and Friday 20th September 2024 from three containers which had been on the watchlist of the Agency following processed intelligence. As a result, the NDLEA had requested for 100% joint examination of the shipments with men of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies. The 25 million pills of tapentadol have an estimated street value of Thirteen Billion Seven Hundred and Twenty-Five Million Naira (N13,725,000,000.00) while the codeine consignment has an estimated street value of Two Billion Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N2,450,000,000.00), bringing the total value of the seizures to Fourteen Billion Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N14,950,000,000.00).
The tapentadol consignment packed in 500 cartons was discovered in one of the containers on Tuesday 17th September while another container examined same day contained 175,000 bottles of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine packed in 875 cartons. The third container containing 175,000 bottles of CSC cough syrup with codeine was examined on Friday 20th September.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Lagos State Strategic Command of the Agency on Friday 20th September arrested an 80-year-old grandfather, Pa Aremu Shojobi with 14 kilograms of cannabis at his home in Iyana Ipaja area of the state. In his statement, the Octogenarian claimed he has been in the business of selling illicit drugs for 25 years. He further claimed he gets his supplies from Benin republic, and sells to his customers from his residence between 7am and 10pm every day.
In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Wednesday 18th September raided the two homes of a community leader and Sarkin Yamma of Badagry West LCDA, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Talba, where a total of 226kg of cannabis was recovered from his two wives and son. Though Alhaji Talba is currently at large, a search of his house in Ashipa area of Seme Badagry led to the recovery of 93 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 57.6kg from his first wife, Asma’u Bashiru, 35, and son, Sadat Bashiru, 22, while another search of his house at Aketegbo area of Seme Badagry led to the seizure of 302 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 168.6kg from his second wife Hauwa Bashir, 42.
No less than 720 blocks of Arizona, a strain of cannabis weighing 390kg were also recovered from a Mitsubishi delivery van marked MUS 720 XH at Ojo area of Lagos on Monday 16th September.
At the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, NDLEA operatives on Sunday 15th September arrested a 38-year-old drug mule, Okafor Ifeanyi Anthony while attempting to board a Qatar Airlines flight to Iran via Doha with 76 wraps of cocaine in his stomach. After three days in excretion observation, Okafor excreted the 76 pellets of the ingested cocaine weighing 1.267kg.
In Kogi state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Okene-Lokoja-Abuja expressway on Tuesday 17th September recovered 700,000 pills of exol-5 coming from Lagos for distribution in Kano and Kaduna, while a suspect Udemefuna Chibuike, 23, was arrested by operatives on Friday 20th September along Mokwa-Jebba road, Niger state, in possession of 49,000 tablets of tramadol, 20,000 tablets of diazepam, 100 ampoules of tramadol injection and 50 bottles of cough syrup with codeine.
A total of 451 blocks of cannabis weighing 213kg were intercepted along Azikiwe road, Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Wednesday 18th September, by NDLEA officers who apprehended a suspect Ogochukwu Paul, 33, conveying the consignment to a notorious drug haven in Borikiri.
While operatives in Plateau state on Friday 20th September arrested a wanted suspect Jonathan Ali Abuttur, 46, at Agingi- Rukuba road Bassa LGA in possession of 808kg of cannabis sativa concealed in 68 bags of sugar and fertilizer, their counterparts in Kwara also nabbed Shaibu Musa with 28kg of the same psychoactive 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 enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Rayhaan Model Academy, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state; Government Day Secondary School, Danrimi, Malumfashi LGA,Katsina state; Technical College, Ihe-Achi, Oji River LGA, Enugu state; Corpus Christi College, Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti state; fresh students of Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Eleyele Ibadan, Oyo state; traders at Agboju market, Festac town, Lagos and the palace of Oloola of Ilara, Oba Mutiu Adedimeji Lawal Oyede and his chiefs, at Ilara, Ogun state, among others.
While commending the officers and men of Tincan, MAKIA, Lagos, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Kogi, Edo and Kwara 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.
News
Just in: 50 narrowly escape death as fire engulfs Abuja fitness centre
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A fire outbreak has enveloped the popular Eco Fitness Hub in Gwarinpa, Abuja, with significant damage feared as flames spread rapidly through the facility.
Videos circulating on social media show smoke billowing from the popular Eco Fitness Hub, as an eyewitness reported that the fire had been burning for over an hour before emergency responders arrived.
According to the witness, multiple calls were made to the Federal Fire Service, but the service allegedly took over an hour to respond. The fire was already intense and spreading to a neighboring building by the time firefighters arrived, sources said as they claim that the delay is believed to have caused substantial destruction.
While the Federal Fire Service eventually made it to the scene, concerned netizens’ voiced frustration over the delay, suggesting that much of the property housing the fitness centre could have been saved with a faster response. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities have yet to release an official statement on the incident or an estimate of the damage incurred.
All of the people inside it was learnt, however, escaped before the fire fully engulfed the centre
Updates are expected as investigations continue, and more details emerge regarding the extent of the fire’s impact on Eco Fitness Hub and neighboring properties.
News
SAD! 39 years old actor, found dead in his room, left a letter
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Korean actor Song Jae-rim has died.
He was found dead at 39 in Seoul with a letter discovered at scene.
Police are investigating the cause of his death.
On November 12, Korean actor Song Jae-rim was found deceased in his Seoul apartment at the age of 39.
Reports indicate that a two-page letter was discovered at the scene, leading to speculations about the circumstances of his death.
He was a former model-turned actor who starred in shows such as Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), Two Weeks (2013), Our Gap-soon (2016–2017).
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Xportnews reported that Jae-Rim’s funeral will take place on November 14 at the Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital Funeral Hall.
Fans’ messages
Fans were heartbroken to learn about his passing.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of actor Song Jae-rim. His talent, warmth, and unique presence brought joy to so many. In this moment of sorrow, our hearts go out to his family, friends, and fans worldwide. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire and comfort those he touched,” wrote a fan.
“Know him from WGM, feel sad for him. May his soul rest in peace,” wrote another.
“You never know what someone else has been through and the battles they’re quietly fighting. RIP Song Jae-rim,” wrote another
About Song Jae Rim
Song began his career as a runway model, working with prominent designers such as Juun. J, Herin Homme, and Ha Sang Beg. He also featured in esteemed magazines like Bazaar Korea, Vogue Girl Korea, and GQ Korea.
Transitioning to acting in 2009, Song gained recognition for his roles in television dramas, including Clean with Passion for Now (2018), I Wanna Hear Your Song (2019).
He appeared in the fourth season of We Got Married alongside Kim So-eun, which significantly boosted his popularity.
In 2024, Song starred in the drama Queen Woo, portraying Go Pae-eui, the first prince.
He also appeared in My Military Valentine as Song Jae-hun, a member of the anti-unification force.
News
God Used Dangote To Build Refinery In Nigeria – Pastor Adeboye
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has revealed that it was divine inspiration that led Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote to establish the Dangote Refinery in the country.
Speaking during the November 2024 Abuja Special Holy Ghost Service, Adeboye praised Dangote’s initiative, emphasizing that it was a response to Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with inefficient state-owned refineries.
Adeboye pointed out that despite Nigeria’s status as a major oil producer, the country had been unable to properly refine its crude oil, leading to a heavy dependence on fuel imports.
He expressed his frustration over the continual failure of the government-run refineries, which have consumed billions in funds without delivering results.
In contrast, Dangote, despite not being from Adeboye’s community or even a Christian, took the bold step to build a refinery with the aim of alleviating the suffering of Nigerians.
However, Adeboye also raised concerns about a conspiracy involving oil marketers and international oil companies (IOCs), which he claimed are working to undermine Dangote’s refinery.
According to Adeboye, these parties are trying to prevent the Dangote Refinery from operating at full capacity, opting instead to keep Nigeria reliant on fuel imports.
He urged Nigerians to seek divine intervention to overcome these challenges, calling out the unscrupulous actions of some oil marketers who aim to continue profiting from fuel imports.
In a related development, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) recently reached an agreement to buy fuel directly from Dangote Refinery.
However, despite this agreement, Nigerians are still facing high petrol prices, with some retail outlets selling fuel at ₦1060 and ₦1200 per liter.
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