A 59-year-old Nigerian businessman, Sylva Ezeokoli, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for allegedly smuggling 700 grams of cocaine concealed in his stomach.

The arrest occurred on Friday at the E-Arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Ezeokoli, who had spent 35 years in Brazil, was returning to Nigeria aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from São Paulo via Addis Ababa.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said a body scan conducted by its officials revealed foreign objects in his stomach, which were later confirmed to be cocaine.

“As a result, he was placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 29 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine, weighing 700 grams,” Babafemi added.

He said the suspect claimed that he wanted to sell the drugs in Nigeria to boost his business.

Babafemi stated, “In his statement, the suspect claimed he operates an African store in Brazil where he sells provisions, shoes, and clothes. He added that he bought the illicit consignment in São Paulo to resell in Nigeria to raise substantial capital to boost his business.”

The NDLEA spokesperson also mentioned that two consignments containing cocaine and pentazocine injection, destined for the United Kingdom via a courier company in Lagos, were intercepted on November 26.

He said, “Meanwhile, the NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Investigation and General Investigation, on Tuesday, November 26, intercepted two consignments containing cocaine and pentazocine injection going to the United Kingdom via a courier company in Lagos. While the cocaine weighing 200 grams was concealed in local fabrics, 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 110 grams were hidden in cartons.”

In Kano State, Babafemi reported that the NDLEA operatives on November 28 arrested three suspects: Jamilu Adamu, 38; Umar Musa, 32; and Bunu Ali, 27, with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 3,135,000 Exol-5 pills at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road.

Additionally, he stated that a strong strain of cannabis produced in Ghana was recovered at Ilesan Beach in Lagos.

Babafemi said, “No fewer than two 120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis produced in Ghana, were intercepted by the NDLEA operatives at Ilesan Beach, Lagos, on Thursday, November 28. A suspect, Onibogi Muftau, was arrested in connection with the seizure, while four vehicles that were to convey the shipments from the waterfront were also recovered.”

“This came on the heels of the seizure of 472kg of the same psychoactive substance at Idi-Iroko, Imeko area of Ogun State on Monday, November 25.”

Babafemi further disclosed that in Edo State, the NDLEA operatives conducted an intelligence-led raid on Ukuwague Street, Benin City, on Thursday, November 28, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, 60-year-old Monday Onyenemue and 42-year-old Evans Omogiede.

He added that during the operation, officers recovered 185.6 kilograms of cannabis and a Toyota Previa bus with registration number BEN 06XL used to transport the illicit substance.

Michael Akinmolayan has been arrested for allegedly raping a female neighbour in the Sango-Ota area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that during the incident on Thursday, Akinmolayan allegedly struck the survivor on the crown of her head with a grinding stone, causing severe injuries.

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident on Saturday, stating that officers from the Sango-Ota Division swiftly responded to the scene after receiving a report and took Akinmolayan into custody.

It was gathered that the survivor was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

The state command’s spokesperson Omolola Odutola explained, “On November 28, the survivor’s brother, Ogundimu, who resides in Mushin, Lagos State, reported the crime. He was informed by neighbours in Sango-Ota that his sister had been seriously injured by Akinmolayan.

“The suspect inflicted head injuries during the assault. Detectives visited the scene, took photographs, and transported the survivor to Banuso Clinic, Ota, for medical treatment.

“Evidence, including blood-stained clothing and the grinding stone allegedly used in the attack, was recovered. A preliminary investigation is underway.”

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has launched the National Registration of Tourism Sector Personnel and Practitioners as of 1st December 2024. This initiative, in line with the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022 (Gazette No. 3 of 2023), is aimed at regulating all personnel and practitioners within Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector.

Under the leadership of Aare Abisoye Fagade, FIMC, the Director General/CEO of NIHOTOUR, this comprehensive registration process extends beyond hotel staff to include all individuals and professionals involved in hospitality and tourism practices.

According to Aare Abisoye Fagade, the registration will remain free for the first six weeks. However, starting from the next quarter of 2025, a fee will be introduced. Aare Fagade has encouraged hotels and other stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industry to take full advantage of this free registration window.

Registration is available at www.nihotour.gov.ng, and NIHOTOUR remains committed to professionalizing and elevating the standards of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.