. Recovers tramadol pills concealed in gas cylinder, cocaine, skunk in Kano, Lagos raids

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a 42-year-old Indian lady, Ms. Neetu Neetu at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, Kano, with 72 parcels of heroin factory sealed in wafer wraps and packaged as chocolates.

The class A drug consignment weighing a total of 11 kilograms was recovered from Neetu’s luggage after a thorough search, following processed credible intelligence, during an inward
clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand via Vietnam and Doha at the arrival hall of the Kano airport on Friday 14th March 2025.

The arrest of Neetu signifies a growing attempt by drug trafficking organisations to hire white ladies and foreign nationals to move illicit drugs through the Nigerian borders, a bid that vigilant NDLEA operatives have consistently frustrated with the aid of modern technological tools and proactive intelligence, says Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) in his immediate reaction to Neetu’s arrest.
In another interdiction operation in Kano, NDLEA officers on Thursday 20th March arrested a 45-year-old suspect, Michael Ogundele with a 50-litre steel gas cylinder at Gadar Tamburawa, along Zaria- Kano road. Based on credible intelligence, welding tools were later used to cut the giant cylinder after which 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in it were extracted.

While Sunday Ogar, 40, was nabbed at Gunduwawa area of Kano on Wednesday 19th March with 27kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, a female suspect Khadijah Abdullahi, 40, was arrested with 424 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Lungun Bulala Yalwa area of the state on Tuesday 18th March.

In Lagos, the duo of Olumuyiwa Kolawole and Samod Adisa were nabbed with 67.5kg skunk in Mushin just as 100.8kg of same psychoactive substance was recovered from the store of two fleeing suspects in Anifowoshe area of Mushin while Isah Idris was arrested in Apapa with 4.5kg skunk; 600grams of tramadol 225mg and 30litres of codeine syrup on Tuesday 18th March. Another suspect, Yahaya Mohamed, was arrested same day in Ikotun area of the state with different quantities of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
Across the country, NDLEA Commands and formations continued to intensify their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy sensitization engagements in schools, markets, motor parts, work places and worship centres in the past week.

These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Chrisland School, Ikeja, Lagos; Hakimi Secondary School, Mokwa, Niger state; Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje, Anambra state; Ikole City College, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti state; Government Day Secondary School, Sunane, Sokoto state; and Government Day Secondary School, Jada, Adamawa state, among others.
While commending the officers and men of MAKIA, Lagos, and Kano Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, its Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), noted with satisfaction the balance in drug supply and demand reduction efforts of all the formations nationwide, even as he charged them not to relent.

No fewer than 13,171 Nigerians who sought refugee protection in Canada from January 2013 to December 2024 were rejected, official data showed.

Specifically, in 2024 alone, 811 Nigerians who applied for refugee protection were turned down by the Canadian government.

The development comes as official data from the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada put Nigeria among the top five countries with the most rejected claims, ranking 5th.

Others are Mexico with 2,954 rejections, India (1,688), Haiti (982), and Colombia (723).

The IMRB grants refugee protection in Canada if the RPD satisfactorily confirms that an applicant or claimant meets the United Nations definition of a Convention refugee, “which has been incorporated into Canadian law, or that the applicant is a person in need of protection.

The officer decides whether the claim is eligible to be referred to the IRB.

“If the claim is eligible, it is sent (“referred”) to the RPD to start the claim for the refugee protection process,” an application guideline by the Refugee Board reads.

An analysis of the rejections since 2013 showed that 127, 241, and 248 Nigerians were denied protection in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively, under the new system for determining refugee protection claims made in Canada—which took effect on December 15, 2012.

Also, 476, 917, and 1,777 claims were rejected in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively.

2019 saw the highest number of rejected claims, with 3,951 Nigerian applicants turned down.

Meanwhile, 1,770, 1,686, 728, 439, and 811 persons were denied protection in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively.

Nevertheless, 10,580 Nigerians were granted refugee status within the decade under review, with at least 2,230 from January to December 2024.

Commenting, Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, the executive director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, said that irregular migration is motivated by economic hardship, the leading cause of rejections.

“Most times, many Nigerians miss it when they don’t understand the laws governing refugee status as adopted in their chosen destination.

“Every country has its regulations for absorbing people into its system,” he stated.

Daily Post

Adenike Adeleke, popularly known as Nikos Babii, daughter of the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, recently turned 30 and celebrated her birthday in grand style.

The glamorous event took place at the upscale Scarlet Club, Lagos, and was nothing short of a star-studded spectacle, with political elites, celebrities and close family members gathering to honour the birthday queen.

The lifestyle vlogger and budding musician made a show-stopping entrance in a shimmering green gown with a daring slit that revealed her stunning curves, turning heads as she graced the venue with confidence and style, with her friends. Her bright smile lit up the room as she soaked in the love and attention of her guests.

To add a playful touch, customised notes featuring Nikos’ face and name were sprayed throughout the night, setting a unique and lively party atmosphere, while she got cash gifts in bundles.

The celebration was also nothing short of a family affair, with the Adeleke clan coming out in full force to support their own.

B-Red, Sina Rambo, and Tunji Adeleke were seen doting on their sister, while the ever-energetic Governor Adeleke shared the photo stand with his daughter posing in different styles.

Among the guests were Shina Peters, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, Comedian, Bovi brought his witty charm to the gathering, keeping guests entertained with spontaneous jokes. Popular TikToker Peller and social media influencers, Enioluwa, Fake Poco were also spotted, adding to the night’s vibrant and youthful energy. Idia Aisien and Nastyblaq were also present.