News
Cocaine Shipment: Court Extends Detention Orders Of Vessel, Crews
Justice Friday Nkemakonam Ogazi of a Federal High Court, Lagos, has extended detention order of a vessel, MV San Antonio and its 21 crews, accused of smuggling 25.5 Kilogrames of cocaine into Nigeria, for another 14 days.
The vessel, MV San Antonio and its 21 crews were arrested by the officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on their arrival at the Apapa port, Lagos,which arrived from Brazil on December 6, with the prohibited drug concealed in bulk of sugar.
The vessel and its crews were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for further investigation and prosecution.
The vessel crews are: the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, and other crew members: Stoychev Sergiy; Bobrov Maksim; Stupnytsky Sergiy; Bitinev Aleksei; Novruzov Teymur; Sosnov Oleg; Bondar Ihor; Klymenko Oleh; Cala Michael De Jesus; Jamir Julfikhar Jacusalem; Blanco Cruz Veloso; Fajardo Ronnel Luntaao; Gumela Lolito Jr. Serojano; Toston Romulo Jr. Oling; Smirnov Viacheslav; Gorre Mar Kemmeth Tabudlong; Cruz John Vhoie Glavez; Sablan Jamille Alorro; Abesia Kelvin Belarmino; and Ubay Kenneth Biaoco.
Justice Ogazi had on December 12, while granting an Exparte motion filed and moved by Barrister Kunle Adebajo, permitted the NDLEA to detain the vessel and its crews for 14 days.
However, at the resumed hearing of the matter today, the NDLEA lawyer, informed the court of the agency’s application for extension of the remand order for another 14 days.
The lawyer informed the court that the anti-narcotic agency was yet to conclude investigation, hence he brought the application for extension of time.
He said the application is supported with an eight paragraphs affidavit deposed to by one Fatogun Thompson.
He also told the court that during the investigation, some Nigerians were linked to the alleged drug trafficking.
He therefore urged the court to grant the application as prayed.
In his ruling, Justice Ogazi held that: “…… in view of submission of the applicant’s counsel, am of the view that the application has merit and same is granted as prayed.”
The matter has been adjourned to january 13, for report of investigation.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A faith‐based civil society organisation, CSO, Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has written a letter to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, raising concerns over delays in refunding excess Hajj fare funds amounting to N437,000 per pilgrim who participated in the 2025 holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
In the letter dated January 19, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the organisation said its independent monitoring revealed a significant financial surplus arising from exchange rate differentials during last year’s Hajj operations.
IHR noted that while pilgrims were charged at an exchange rate of N1,600 to the dollar, payments for services in Saudi Arabia were reportedly made at rates between N1,507 and N1,520.
According to the organisation, the exchange rate variation translates to an unutilised balance estimated at between N80,000 and N93,000 per dollar per pilgrim, with about N437,000 allegedly due for refund to each pilgrim who completed full payment by the February 10, 2025 deadline.
It stated that NAHCON had earlier assured pilgrims and stakeholders that refunds would be made after the completion of post-Hajj financial reconciliation, which it said had already been concluded.
The group, therefore, called for immediate action, including public disclosure of the total refund amount within seven working days and prompt disbursement to eligible pilgrims through the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards within 14 working days.
It urged NAHCON to act in the interest of transparency and accountability, stressing that timely refunds would help ease the economic burden on pilgrims and reinforce public trust in Nigeria’s Hajj administration.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Department of State Services (DSS), in a joint operation with Forest Guards, has successfully rescued seven individuals abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants during a fierce gun battle inside a forest enclave in Borno State.
Security sources revealed that the victims were kidnapped on January 19 while collecting firewood near Ajiri Camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri. Two of the abductees managed to escape and alert the community, while the terrorists later released another on a bicycle to demand a ransom of N20 million.
Acting on intelligence, DSS personnel and Forest Guards quickly mobilized to the area. To avoid detection, the operatives dismounted their motorcycles and trekked for nearly an hour before confronting the ISWAP elements, leading to a fierce gunfight.
The terrorists eventually fled, abandoning all seven victims, who were rescued unharmed and are now receiving support and undergoing profiling.
Mr. Hassan Modu, Commander of the Forest Guards, attributed the success to timely
intelligence and smooth collaboration with the DSS. “We moved quietly on foot and engaged them.
The terrorists fled once they realized we had closed in on their enclave,” Modu said. He also urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to help combat criminal activities.
The Forest Guards, a community-based auxiliary security unit, are trained, equipped, and supervised by the DSS, receiving instruction in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Regular drills and guidance from the DSS ensure professionalism, discipline, and effective coordination in joint operations against terrorists and criminal elements.
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The Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate for 22nd January 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.
NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.
The official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today, including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.
Please note that the exchange rate is subject to hourly fluctuations influenced by the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 22nd January 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1490 and buy at ₦1480 on Thursday, 22nd January, 2025, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1490
Buying Rate ₦1480
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1423
Lowest Rate ₦1419
CSO raises query over NAHCON’s delay on 2025 Hajj refunds
DSS and Forest Guards Storm ISWAP Camp, Rescue Kidnapped victims in Borno
See Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 22nd January 2026
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