Category: Top News

NDLEA Smashes N3.4 Billion Drug Ring Spanning Eight States In One Sweeping Operation

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted more than 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000 kilogrammes of cannabis, in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and the Federal Capital Territory, with combined seizures valued at more than N3.4 billion. Among the major breakthroughs was the interception of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 603.75 kilogrammes and valued at N1.81 billion, at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, concealed inside two Toyota Sienna vehicles packed in a 40 foot container that had arrived from Montreal, Canada. In Delta State, operatives arrested a 49 year old man who allegedly impersonated a Deputy Superintendent of Police using a forged identification card to evade checkpoints while transporting 292.48 kilogrammes of skunk along the Benin Onitsha Expressway. In Edo State, officers acting on intelligence raided an auto repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City, recovering 48 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud and 152 grammes of methamphetamine allegedly stored under cover of the business. In Niger State, more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets, codeine syrup and other substances were recovered from sacks being transported from Onitsha to Nasarawa State, while three young suspects were separately arrested along the Abuja Kaduna Expressway with locally fabricated firearms and ammunition. In Lagos, operatives recovered 48,900 pills of tramadol from a residence in Surulere, intercepted 59 kilogrammes of cannabis at a logistics company, and seized 998.38 kilogrammes of nitrous oxide gas from a separate suspect. Further seizures were recorded in Gombe and Imo States, alongside the destruction of a two hectare cannabis farm in Ondo State’s Ita Ogbolu forest, where 5,000 kilogrammes of skunk were destroyed and 48 kilogrammes retained for prosecution. Beyond the seizures and arrests, the agency said its commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns across schools, worship centres and communities, with recent engagements held in Oyo, Anambra, Lagos and Taraba states, and a related advocacy visit to the Pere Ama Okosu of Ogbe Ijoh Warri Kingdom in Delta State. NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across the affected commands for their professionalism and intelligence driven operations, urging sustained balance in the agency’s drug control efforts. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Tinubu Pushes States To Speed Up CNG Rollout, Says Cheaper Fares Must Reach Nigerians By October

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged state governments to accelerate implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme ahead of October 1, insisting that cheaper energy must translate into lower transportation fares for Nigerians. The President said an implementation committee under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is working with states to identify priority transport corridors and establish the infrastructure needed to expand affordable transportation nationwide. Tinubu cited significant results already recorded in several states, including Kaduna, where 100 CNG powered buses carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year and saved commuters more than N3.5 billion, and Enugu, where fares on the Enugu Nsukka route fell from N2,500 to N1,500. He also pointed to Oyo State, where CNG buses deployed by Pacesetter Transport reduced the Lagos Ibadan fare from about N8,000 to N3,200, and to Adamawa and Plateau States, where alternative energy transport is delivering fares well below commercial rates. The President highlighted Abuja, where partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers has cut fares on several routes by about 40 percent, including the Area 1 to Gwagwalada route falling from N1,500 to N900, and Niger State, where the Suleja Abuja route now costs N550 compared with about N800 previously. Tinubu rejected calls for a return to the petrol subsidy regime, describing it as unsustainable and saying it had exposed the economy to every movement in international oil prices, insisting the government would instead accelerate cheaper domestic alternatives. He disclosed that more than 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG nationwide, with the country now boasting over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 CNG refuelling stations, figures he said continue to grow daily. The President listed Edo, Kano, Delta, Kwara, Lagos and Akwa Ibom among states expanding their CNG and alternative energy transport programmes, with Edo already running 50 CNG buses and Kano having converted more than 1,000 commercial vehicles. Tinubu urged all state governments to sustain the momentum toward October 1 by working with transport unions and commercial operators, stressing that the Federal Government would continue supporting the scaling of CNG infrastructure so that more Nigerians feel the savings in the fares they pay every day. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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CDS Charges Passing Out Cadets, Nigeria Comes First And Always

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The Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, has charged passing out cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy to uphold national interest, demonstrate courage and resilience, and embrace innovation as they commence their careers as military officers. General Oluyede gave the charge as Special Guest of Honour at the NDA Regimental Dinner Night held on Thursday, September 18, in honour of the passing out cadets of the 73 Regular Course, Short Service Course 49, Direct Short Service Course 34 and Branch Commission Course 3, held at the NDA Cadets’ Mess, Afaka, Kaduna State. Reflecting on his own experience at the Academy about 34 years ago, the CDS described the occasion as a significant milestone marking the culmination of rigorous military and academic training that transforms cadets into disciplined, service ready officers, commending them for their hard work, sacrifice and dedication. He reminded the soon to be commissioned officers that the Armed Forces of Nigeria represent the unity and sovereignty of the nation, stressing that Nigeria comes first and always, and urging them to uphold courage, diligence and loyalty to their fatherland as many prepare for deployment to operational theatres. The CDS further charged the cadets to remain adaptable and technologically savvy given the changing nature of modern warfare, noting that Artificial Intelligence, unmanned systems and cyber operations were increasingly shaping the contemporary security environment. On leadership, General Oluyede stressed the importance of trust, integrity, dedication and sound judgement, advising the cadets to seek guidance from experienced officers and ensure that their actions reflect the shared values of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He informed the cadets that their decisions would not only shape their own careers but also have consequences for the organisation they represent and the personnel under their command, urging them to think carefully before taking decisions. The CDS acknowledged the Commandant, staff and instructors of the Academy for preparing the cadets for the responsibilities ahead, while expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Defence and the entire NDA Council for their support to the Armed Forces. Highlights of the regimental event included the presentation of awards to deserving cadets during the 2025/2026 training session and the presentation of souvenirs to the Special Guest of Honour by the Commandant of the Academy. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Shettima Tells BRICS Nigeria Stands With The WTO, Hails Diaspora’s Global Rise

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed. Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the World Trade Organisation and the multilateral trading system, with Vice President Kashim Shettima insisting that no country can prosper in isolation from the global community. Shettima made the remarks during a meeting with the Director General of the WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS Leaders Summit in New Delhi, assuring her that Nigeria would continue to support the organisation in championing multilateralism. He described the world as one interconnected human family, stressing that no nation can divorce itself from the global community, and made a case for migration as an important driver of development, innovation and economic growth. Citing the Nigerian diaspora as an example, Shettima said Nigerians abroad have continued to distinguish themselves through education, enterprise and professional achievement, referencing a Pew Research Center analysis showing that 67 percent of Nigerian born Black immigrants in the United States aged 25 and above hold at least a bachelor’s degree, the highest proportion among major Black immigrant groups. The Vice President commended Okonjo Iweala’s leadership of the WTO, urging her to continue deploying her experience in service to global development, describing her work at the organisation as wonderful while noting she still has much to contribute. Okonjo Iweala, the first woman and first African to head the WTO, began her second four year term as Director General in September 2025. Shettima was expected to present Nigeria’s partnership and foreign investment opportunities to BRICS leaders the following day, reiterating President Tinubu’s objective of creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians through reforms and private sector led growth.

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NAF Special Forces Trainees Get Hard Talk On Drugs Before Facing Mission Ready Standards

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed. The Nigerian Air Force, through the Regiment Training Centre Annex in Bauchi, has reinforced its commitment to developing disciplined and mission ready Special Forces personnel with a substance abuse awareness lecture for trainees of Special Forces Course 14/2026. The lecture, delivered by resource persons from Headquarters 33 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army, formed part of ongoing efforts to equip trainees with the physical, mental and ethical standards required for modern military operations. The sensitisation programme highlighted the dangers of substance abuse and its implications for military professionalism, educating trainees on how drug misuse can impair judgement, diminish combat readiness and compromise operational security. Trainees were also taught how substance abuse can weaken unit cohesion, underscoring the importance of discipline and responsible lifestyle choices throughout their military careers. Speaking during the event, Commandant of the Regiment Training Centre Annex, Squadron Leader Edeama Lawrence Akpan, reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to producing highly skilled and professional Special Forces operators capable of supporting national security objectives. The initiative aligns with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, to build a highly professional and combat ready force, while highlighting the value of inter service collaboration between the NAF and the Nigerian Army.

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Shettima Mourns Bamanga Tukur, Calls Elder Statesman A Global Icon Nigeria Will Never Forget

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed. Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sadness over the passing of former Governor of old Gongola State and prominent businessman, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, describing his death as a huge loss to Nigeria and the African continent. Tukur, an elder statesman and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the age of 90, just three days shy of his 91st birthday. In a condolence message, Shettima described Tukur as a father, mentor and one of Nigeria’s greatest institution builders, whose life spanned three interlinked worlds, as a technocrat who built the country’s modern maritime infrastructure, a statesman who governed with vision, and a pan African business leader who put the continent’s private sector on the world map. The Vice President recalled that in 1975, when Nigerian ports were gridlocked by the infamous cement armada, a young Bamanga Tukur was called to lead the Nigerian Ports Authority, where he cleared the congestion and went on to conceive the Tin Can Island Port Complex, modernising Apapa, Warri, Calabar, Sapele and Onne ports between 1975 and 1982. Shettima said that singular intervention saved the Nigerian economy from collapse and created the trade gateway that still powers commerce today, noting that Tukur later became the first African Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours in Tokyo. On his political career, the Vice President recalled that although Tukur’s tenure as Governor of old Gongola State was cut short by the military intervention of December 1983, his vision for rural development left an enduring mark, and he later served as Minister for Industries before returning as PDP National Chairman between 2012 and 2014. Beyond Nigeria, Shettima said Tukur was a true global citizen, founding the African Business Roundtable and chairing the NEPAD Business Group, ideas that he said helped lay the groundwork for what has now blossomed into the African Continental Free Trade Area. The Vice President extended his condolences to Tukur’s family, the Adamawa State Government and the people of the state, praying that his soul finds eternal rest.

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NDLEA Takes Anti Drug Message To Soldiers In Ibadan, Warns Against Battlefield Substance Abuse

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency sensitised personnel of 2 Division, Nigerian Army, on the dangers of drug abuse and its implications for operational effectiveness, discipline and national security, during a lecture titled From Barracks To Battle Life. The event, held at Headquarters, 2 Division Auditorium, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan, was opened by the General Officer Commanding, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, represented by Brigadier General Danlami Ali, who said the programme was aimed at creating awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and its effects on military operations. The GOC stressed the need for personnel to remain disciplined and avoid prohibited substances, charging them to desist from drug abuse and self medication while warning that involvement in substance abuse would attract appropriate sanctions. Delivering the lecture, resource person from NDLEA, Assistant Controller of Narcotics Mercy Titilayo Godwin, described drug abuse as the non medical or excessive use of drugs, identifying it as a global challenge and a threat to national security. She identified cannabis, alcohol, opioids, cocaine and amphetamines among commonly misused substances, noting that drug misuse could impair coordination, judgement and tactical decision making while undermining unit cohesion. Godwin identified combat stress, performance pressure and chronic pain as factors that could contribute to drug misuse, advocating measures such as random drug testing, professional counselling and strong leadership to curb the menace, with the lecture concluding with an interactive question and answer session.

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NAF And NCCSALW Deepen Ties To Choke Off Illegal Arms Flowing Into Communities

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed The Nigerian Air Force and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to curb the proliferation of illicit arms and enhance institutional readiness against emerging security challenges. The commitment was underscored during a visit by NCCSALW, under the Office of the National Security Adviser, to Headquarters Ground Training Command in Enugu. Director General of NCCSALW, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, represented by the Deputy Director General, commended the NAF’s contributions to national security and its support to the Centre’s South East Zonal Office, calling for deeper collaboration in intelligence sharing and capacity building. In his remarks, Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Gabriel Kehinde, reaffirmed the Chief of the Air Staff’s commitment to strengthening inter service and inter agency cooperation as a critical component of the nation’s security architecture. He identified the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons as a key driver of security challenges confronting the nation, stressing the importance of sustained collaboration with NCCSALW. Both institutions expressed confidence that the renewed partnership would contribute meaningfully to reducing illicit arms proliferation and building a safer Nigeria

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Troops Nab Terrorist Kingpin, Catch Female Ammunition Courier In Kaduna Sweep

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin, intercepted an ammunition courier and apprehended a suspected terrorist logistics supplier in separate operations across Kaduna State. The operations were conducted on September 9, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent the movement of arms and logistics within the Joint Operations Area. In Kubau Local Government Area, troops of Sector 1 conducted a clearance operation at Dabar Dabo, a known terrorist hideout, arresting a suspected terrorist kingpin and two other members of his syndicate. In a separate intelligence led operation in Igabi Local Government Area, troops intercepted a 50 year old female ammunition courier allegedly transporting 300 rounds of ammunition concealed in a bag, said to have travelled from Zamfara State en route to terrorists in Birnin Gwari. Later the same day, troops working with a community vigilante group in Birnin Gwari arrested a suspected terrorist logistics supplier, recovering four communication devices allegedly used in connection with terrorist activities. The suspects and recovered items remain in military custody as investigations continue, with the military appreciating members of the public for their continued support and urging residents to remain vigilant.

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Katsina Launches $1 Million Push To Shield Farmers From Floods And Drought

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By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Katsina State has launched a $1 million project titled Protecting Food Security Against Recurring Floods And Drought, aimed at strengthening the resilience of vulnerable farming communities against the growing impact of climate change. State leadership described food security as fundamental to sustainable development, stressing that without reliable access to food it is difficult to achieve economic growth or build a prosperous future, particularly in a state where agriculture remains a major source of livelihood. The project, implemented by Mercy Corps Nigeria in collaboration with the Katsina State Development Management Board and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, will initially cover Bindawa, Bakori and Kafur Local Government Areas. The intervention will focus on land restoration, improved water and drainage management, rehabilitation of solar powered water systems, better food storage and climate smart agriculture, with particular attention to vulnerable households, women, youths and smallholder farmers. State officials have directed relevant government institutions to ensure effective coordination and monitoring of the project, while exploring opportunities to scale up similar climate resilience initiatives across the state. Leaders commended Mercy Corps Nigeria, the Katsina State Development Management Board and other partners for the timely intervention, expressing confidence that it would help build a more resilient state capable of withstanding future climate shocks.

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