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N4.4bn worth cocaine seized at Lagos airport (Photos)

Published

1 month ago

November 3, 2024

… operatives busts international syndicate

…as NDLEA grills 30 suspects
. Intercepts UK, UAE, Australia-bound cocaine, cannabis, tramadol concealed in body cream containers, art work

The bid by members of an international drug syndicate that operates between Brazil, Ethiopia and Nigeria to smuggle into Lagos a total of 845 wraps of cocaine weighing 18.72 kilograms has been thwarted and the consignments recovered by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja.

The drug consignments worth Four Billion Four Hundred and Ninety-Two Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N4,492,800,000) in street value were recovered from two lavatories of an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft during the post landing cleaning of the cabin of flight ET900 from Addis Ababa to Lagos on Tuesday 29th October 2024.

The illicit drug consignments were wrapped in nine polythene bags and hidden in the waste collectors in the two rear lavatories of the aircraft, from where they were recovered after the MMIA Strategic Command of NDLEA was alerted about the strange objects.

No fewer than 30 suspects have so far been grilled in connection with the seizure.

Investigations revealed that the seized drugs were conveyed from Brazil to Ethiopia through ingestion and excreted in Addis Ababa by a set of couriers while some other traffickers picked them up and attempted to smuggle them into Nigeria through the Lagos airport before their attempt was frustrated with the cooperation of the airline’s authorities and other airport stakeholders.

In the same vein, attempts by some drug trafficking syndicates to export 2.928kg cocaine, cannabis and tramadol 225mg concealed in body cream containers, and pieces of art work to Australia, United Arab Emirate and United Kingdom through some courier companies in Lagos were also blocked by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, on Monday 28th October.

At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 29th October intercepted 754, 000 pills of tapentadol and acetaminophen 225mg worth Five Hundred and Twenty-Five Million Naira (N525, 000,000) in a targeted and watch-listed container from India during a joint examination with men of Customs Service and other security agencies.

In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, a suspect Mujahid Hamisu, 24, was arrested with 147,000 pills of tramadol concealed in black nylon bags containing plumbing materials along Kwali-Gwagwalada Abuja expressway on his way from Onitsha, Anambra state on Saturday 2nd November 2024, while another suspect Seun Abimbola, 47, was nabbed by NDLEA operatives same day with 512 grams of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Giri junction area of the FCT.

In Kogi state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Kabba- Obajana highway arrested Mercy Ameh, 28, in a commercial bus travelling from Lagos to Abuja while a search of her luggage led to the recovery of fake Naira notes worth Four Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand ,Two Hundred Naira (₦ 4,353,200), even as another suspect Shaibu Dahiru, 27, was nabbed in a vehicle coming from Lagos to Katsina along Lokoja- Okene- Abuja road on Thursday 30th October with 68 blocks of cannabis weighing 27.400kg

A notorious drug dealer Usman Abba (alias Timaya) who has been on the watchlist of the Katsina state command of NDLEA was on Wednesday 30th October arrested at Liberty Hotel, Kofar Kaura with consignments of Arizona, a strain of cannabis. Same day, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa arrested a suspect Augustine Dike, 31, with 50.3 grams of methamphetamine at Quarisa Hotel, Jimeta.

In Taraba, operatives on Friday 1st November arrested Danlami Fakwa, 46, at Sabon Gari, Jalingo LGA, with 49.795kg cannabis, while a total of 561kg of same substance was recovered from a Sienna bus at Ogbese village in Ondo state on Monday 28th October.

A suspect Kabiru Yusuf, 25, was on Saturday 2nd October arrested in possession of 51,813 pills of tramadol and exol 5 at NDA Bus Stop, Kaduna, just as raids in Edo state led to the seizure of 603.6kg cannabis at Farm road, Ekiadolor and 308.4kg of same substance at Uroe community.

Meanwhile, across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week. Instances include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Sanganare, Adamawa; students of College of Arts and Islamic Studies, Tungan Magajiya, Niger state; students and staff of Regina Catholic International College, Obehie, Abia state; students and teachers of Akinmorin Grammar School, Oyo, Oyo state; as well as students and teachers of Redeemer’s International School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Apapa, Kogi, FCT, Adamawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Ondo, Taraba, and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) also applauded their compatriots in all the commands across the country for intensifying the WADA sensitization lectures and advocacy messages to every part of their areas of responsibility.

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Inefficient Systems, Outdated Regulations Stifle Petroleum Sector Growth – Speaker Abbas

Published

1 hour ago

December 9, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

….as lawmakers deliberate on Petroleum sector regulations

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker of the House of Representatives has said the petroleum sector has always been impeded by inefficiencies and outdated regulatory frameworks.

Speaker Abbas stated this at a one-Day retreat on “Legislative Measures Towards the Realisation of the Mandate of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for members of the House Committees Gas Resources, Petroleum Resources (Downstream, Upstream and Midstream) on Monday in Abuja.

Naijablitznews.com reports that this critical workshop is aimed at enhancing lawmakers’ understanding of the petroleum sector and equipping them with the necessary legislative tools to support the NUPRC.

The workshop was designed to deepen the understanding of the NUPRC’s operations, the legal framework governing its activities, and the broader dynamics of the petroleum industry.

According to Abbas, this initiative is part of efforts to ensure effective oversight and accountability in the sector.

He said the petroleum sector has long been the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing substantially to the nation’s GDP and serves as the primary source of foreign exchange earnings.

Abbas stated that the National Assembly has played a critical role in driving these reforms, from legislative enactments to oversight, ensuring the sector’s sustainability and effectiveness, adding that there is a need for continued support for the NUPRC and other stakeholders in achieving the full benefits of these reforms for all Nigerians.

He said: Legislative oversight is a cornerstone of democracy and good governance, adding that the Petroleum Industry Act underscores the importance of parliamentary scrutiny in ensuring accountability within the oil and gas sector.

“The petroleum sector has long been the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing substantially to our GDP and serving as the primary source of foreign exchange earnings. However, its potential has often been hindered by inefficiencies and outdated regulatory frameworks.

“The enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 marked a significant turning point, introducing reforms that have redefined the governance, operations, and transparency of the oil and gas industry

“It provides a robust framework for oversight, empowering the National Assembly to monitor the operations of regulatory agencies like the NUPRC.

“Central to this transformation is the NUPRC, which was established to regulate the upstream petroleum sector. Its mandates, as outlined in Section 94 of the PIA, include ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainable resource management.

“Some immediate gains include improved regulatory clarity, increased investor confidence, and a structured approach to addressing environmental and community issues. However, challenges remain, including the need for further infrastructural development, capacity building, and the full implementation of the PIA’s provisions.

“However, effective oversight is not without challenges. The technical complexity of the extractive industry, information asymmetry, and the ever-evolving nature of the sector can limit the ability of parliamentarians to perform their duties effectively.

“To overcome these obstacles, members must develop technical expertise, engage in continuous learning, and foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders”.

Soeaker Abbas noted that it is all important to fully utilise all oversight tools at our disposal, including inspections, public hearings, investigations, and interpellations. Effective engagement between legislative committees and the NUPRC is critical to avoiding unnecessary conflicts or repetitive invitations.

“By fostering open communication and mutual understanding, we can create a more productive working relationship.

To this end, I urge the committees to adopt a strategic approach that prioritises constructive dialogue and aligns legislative priorities with the operational realities of the NUPRC. Regular updates, joint assessments, and targeted inquiries can streamline oversight processes and improve outcomes”, he added.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the NUPRC was established to regulate the upstream petroleum sector, plays a critical role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainable resource management.

The workshop is expected to foster a more productive working relationship between legislative committees and the NUPRC, ultimately ensuring that the upstream petroleum sector serves the interests of all Nigerians, promotes sustainable practices, and remains globally competitive.

News

COAS, Oluyede vows to end insurgency, Strategizes New Operations In North East

Published

3 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Chief of Army staff Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede has said that he was in Maiduguri last week to ginger his officers and men to change the narrative of the war by thinking outside the box to get positive results.

General Oluyede said that for too long the Army has been thinking after the same old pattern of fighting asymmetric warfare adding that it was time to think differently so that the enemy would be flushed out completely.

He said he was not unaware of the strengths and weaknesses of his troops which is why the entire management team in the Army Headquarters will make sure that more sophistication is added to their existing platforms to enable them increase their strengths and overcome the enemy in all fronts once and for all.

In a jam packed interview after he had toured critical areas of the theatre, the Army chief went on: ” I’m here to speak to my officers and soldiers and to appraise their operational readiness and that I have done.

What is going to be new here is that we need to reappraise our operations so that we can get a different result. “We don’t want to continue with operations, whereby we’ll be doing what we’ve been doing before and getting the same results.

Now, we want different results. So we’ve sat down. We have strategized. We’re going to bring in more importance into our challenges, bringing more platforms to support the soldiers, so that they can do their work well.

“I think we have achieved that aim. So we’re going back to Abuja to see how we can add more to their platforms support them in the operations, and I’m sure we’ll get better returns.” Said the Army chief.

Responding to questions on challenges affecting the Commanders and men on the ground, the Army chief went on: “I’m very aware of these challenges, but I want to take one moment to make you realize the fact that there will always be challenges.

“Now, the most important thing is how we react to those challenges. If you recall, I was in Sokoto when the issue of the lakurawa people came up. I was prompted to go to Sokoto then and the essence of me going was to see what we could do to make things better.

“And for the past two months, you must have seen that, something is being done there. I’m talking about Zamfara, and you know, North West in general, we are also going to be backing up the operations with technology, to see how we can make things better.”(www.krestnews.com).

News

Israeli Defense Force Captures Syrian Side Of Mount Hermon

Published

3 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Naijablitznews

A security source told Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya TV on Sunday that the IDF has taken control of the Jabal al-Sheikh site, located on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, following the withdrawal of the local army from the area. According to the report, this takeover gives the IDF control over additional sites along the ceasefire line with Syria.

This is a formative event that for the first time since the Six-Day War, IDF forces are beyond enemy lines on three borders – Gaza, southern Lebanon and now also in Syria.

The dramatic report comes after Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the Syrian border earlier today together with Defense Minister Israel Katz and addressed the latest developments in Syria: “This is a historic day in the history of the Middle East. The Assad regime is a central link in Iran’s axis of evil – this regime has fallen. This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, the main supporters of the Assad regime.”

Netanyahu added that the new situation has “very important” opportunities as well as risks: “We are working first and foremost to defend our border. This area was controlled for nearly 50 years by a buffer zone agreed upon in 1974, the separation of forces agreement. This agreement collapsed, the Syrian soldiers abandoned their positions.”

“Together with the Minister of Defense, and with the full backing of the Cabinet, I instructed the IDF yesterday to seize the buffer zone and the adjacent control positions. We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border.”

The prime minister emphasized the good neighborly relations between Israel and Syria: “The same good neighborliness that we maintained when we established a field hospital here that treated thousands of Syrians who were wounded and injured in the civil war. Hundreds of Syrian children were born here in Israel.”