NEWS
Two Drug Peddlers Excrete 165 Wraps of Cocaine in NDLEA Cell
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said two drug traffickers have excreted a total of 165 wraps of cocaine while under observation in its custody.
The agency also intercepted huge consignments of the illicit substances on their way to different parts of Asia and Europe.
It added that in the nationwide raids carried out by the operatives in Rivers, Ogun, and Enugu 2,293kg of various drugs were seized while N791, 100.
00, was recovered.The suspects Elvis Uche Iro, 53 and Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian, 42 who were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, ingested the illicit substances.
The agency in a statement by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday said the alleged drug traffickers excreted the drugs while under observation in the Agency’s custody.
“The 53-year-old Elvis who is a father of four children hails from Abiriba, Ohafia Local Goverment Area of Abia State. He was arrested on Saturday 19th March upon his arrival on board Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis-Ababa for ingesting 65 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.376kg.”
According to him, during preliminary interrogation, the suspect claimed that he was an interior decorator but had to go into drug trafficking because he needed money to start a coffee business.
He stated that he was lured into the business by the temptation to take care of his family and stock his newly acquired shop with curtain materials and accessories in Lagos.
“He said he would have been paid One Thousand ($1,000) US dollars on successful delivery of the drug in Abuja.”
His counterpart, Uwaezuoke Ikenna, Christian was also arrested on arrival for ingesting 100 pellets of cocaine with a total weight of 2.243kg.
Ikenna who hails from Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State claimed that he is businessman who deals in baby’s wears before venturing into drug trafficking.
“During preliminary interview, he said he traveled to Addis Ababa on Thursday 17th March to buy the drug for Ten Thousand ($10,000) US dollars and returned on Saturday 19th March when he was arrested.
“He said he sold his land in his village and took loans from friends to be able to raise money to buy the drug.He claimed he had to go into drug to raise money for his business after being duped of Fifteen Thousand ($15,000) US dollars by his friend who lives inChina.” Babafemi explained.
In a related development, Narcotic Officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation, DOGI, of the NDLEA, also intercepted substantial quantities of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Cannabis sativa packaged for export to Australia, China, Qatar, Ireland and Thailand through some courier companies in Lagos.
” A quantity of 2.9kg of Methamphetamine in packs of black soup and toner machine heading to Australia and Qatar was intercepted; 600grams of Cocaine concealed in school certificates and file folders going to Australia and Thailand were equally seized.
“No less than 25.5kg cannabis concealed in packs of Dudu Osun soap and tins of palm fruit extracts (banga) heading to China and Ireland were also seized at a courier company in Lagos”, Babafemi added.
He stated further that 2,293.324 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and N791, 100. 00, were recovered in major raids carried out by the operatives in Ogun, Rivers and Enugu States in last week.
According to him, Rivers State, operatives on, March 24, raided the notorious Abuja Water Front of Port Harcourt City, following information provided by arrested suspects, on their sources of supply.
He explained that a total of three suspects, were apprehended in the operation and gave their names as, Larry Samuel; Mark James and Happiness Joseph.
The drugs and cash seized from them are 339.524kg of Cannabis Sativa, Methamphetamine and Tramadol and N791, 100.00, cash.Another drug dealer, within the area, Uduak Paul Emmanuel, is said to be at large.
He added, “In Ogun State, a 30-year-old lady, Peace Egidigbo, was arrested with 1863kg of Cannabis Sativa in Mowe, Obafemi/Owode LGA on Wednesday 23rd March, while no less than 150 blocks of cannabis weighing 90.800kg were seized from the cargo compartment of a bus owned by a transport company along Orji river via Onitsha express road, Enugu State”.
Chairman and Chief Executive, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), in his reaction commended the officers and men of NAIA, DOGI, Rivers, Ogun and Enugu Commands of the Agency for their diligence and vigilance.
He charged them to always strive to raise the bar in their operational feats.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has presented a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for a parcel of land earmarked for the construction of a 132/33KV transmission substation in the Southern part of Plateau State.
The development is part of his commitment toward revitalizing the power sector in Plateau State aimed at promoting industrialization.
Presenting the C of O to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, at her office in Abuja, the Governor expressed optimism that the project, when completed, will transform the social and industrial landscape of the benefitting areas.
Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs Gyang Bere noted thus, “This landmark project is aimed at extending electricity transmission from Lafia in Nasarawa State to Shendam, Plateau State, covering the Southern and Central Senatorial Districts. The initiative is expected to stimulate industrialization and enhance business activities across the zones.
“The substation would address the longstanding electricity challenges faced by the Southern and Central Senatorial Districts of the state.” He noted
Mutfwang explained that the substation will support the smooth commencement of the Special Agro-Processing Zone by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and attract private sector investments to Plateau State.
The Governor acknowledging the contributions of NDPHC to Nigeria’s electricity generation and transmission, and appealed for the priority of the project, adding that Plateau State has the potential for generating wind and solar energy, hinting recent legislative advancements in the state on power which includes the Electricity Market Law and Energy Corporation Law to enable the state generate and sell electricity to neighboring states.
The Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Jenifer Adighije noted that the Governor is the first state governor to visit her since her appointment and commended his commitment to transforming Plateau State’s industrial landscape and assured him of the NDPHC’s dedication to execute the project.
“You are the first governor to visit us, and we are compelled to match your zeal with our commitment. With our generation capacity far exceeding demand, partnering with you is a pivotal opportunity. Your passion for industrialization is inspiring, and we are eager to collaborate with you to realize this vision,” Adighije stated.
By Nasir Dambatta
Governor Uba Sani has once again underscored his commitment to fostering unity among Kaduna’s diverse religious communities, attending both the 2024 Kaduna Unity Christmas Carol and a Maulud celebration in Zaria within the same week.On December 21, the Governor graced The 2024 Kaduna Unity Christmas Carol at ECWA Goodnews Church, Narayi Highcost, an event organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna Chapter.
The Carol, an annual tradition, brought together Christians from across the state in a celebration of joy, love, and togetherness. Governor Sani’s presence at the event highlighted his inclusive leadership and his efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony in a state known for its rich religious diversity.Shortly after, on December 22, Governor Sani attended a Maulud celebration in Zaria, organized by the Fityanul Islam group. Maulud, which commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is a time for reflection, prayer, and communal unity. The gathering in Zaria was attended by numerous dignitaries and religious scholars who reflected on the Prophet’s teachings of compassion, tolerance, and peace—values that resonate deeply with the Governor’s vision for Kaduna.Observers said the Governor’s presence at both events was a powerful reminder of his dedication to fostering peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the state. “Through these actions, Governor Uba Sani is leading by example, demonstrating that religious celebrations and dialogue can serve as a foundation for a united, progressive society.”, one of the observers said.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people that sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.Wike gave the directive in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Saturday.
No fewer than 10 people including children lost their lives while 10 others sustained injuries to the stampede, during the distribution of food items to less privileged and the elderly by the church. The sad incident occurred around 6:30 a.m on Saturday.Wike said that the FCT Administration would ensure that the injured received adequate medical attention.The minister, who commiserated with the victims, also directed that henceforth, police permission should be obtained by individuals or organizations planning public distribution of palliatives, either food items or cash.Describing the incident as “painful”, Wike prayed for the repose of the souls of the lives that were lost and fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss.He commended the Police and other security agencies for their prompt intervention, saying, “the promptness in which security agencies responded to the incident was commendable.”In a related development, the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), equally commiserated with the victims of the stampede.The acting Director General of the department, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, in a statement said that nine out of the 10 injured persons earlier taken to Maitama District Hospital, have been treated and discharged.Mohammed also appealed to organisations that intended to give out food items to the less privileged to involve security agencies or FEMD for adequate planning to ensure safety of beneficiaries.He also advised the use of coupons and segregation of the beneficiaries into groups to avoid crowd and rowdiness that could lead to stampedes.Similarly, the Police Command in the FCT has ordered organisations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals to notify the police when planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the territory.In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said that the notification was to enable the police to deploy adequate security measures for public safety.According to her, failure to comply with the directive will result in the organisers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from negligenceMeanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a warning against the unorganised distribution of palliatives and funfairs, which have led to stampedes and fatalities among vulnerable citizens.The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the warning during a media briefing on Saturday in Abuja.Adejobi explained that the warning came in response to the increasing number of stampedes resulting in injuries and deaths, particularly during palliative distributions. (NAN)
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