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NDLEA Intercepts Illicit Drugs Bound For US, Saudi At Lagos Airport

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted multiple attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances to the United States, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates.

The seized drugs, including cocaine, tramadol, and opioids, were concealed in various items such as prayer beads, board game packs, and women’s clothing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s director of media and advocacy, stated that agency operatives arrested two suspects involved in some of the disrupted smuggling attempts at the airport.

One of the suspects, Jakpor May, a 43-year-old woman, was apprehended at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of Lagos airport on March 8 while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy.

Babafemi revealed that 190 parcels of tramadol (225mg) and another parcel of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from the suspect.

Another suspect, Yahaya Ayinla, was arrested on March 11 while attempting to send a cargo containing clothing used to conceal 400 grams of skunk to New York, US.

“At some logistics companies in Lagos, efforts by drug traffickers to export over two kilograms of Loud, Molly, Tramadol (365 mg, 225 mg) hidden in Vitamin C bottles and female clothes to the US were frustrated by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI),” the statement reads.

“Other shipments of 230 grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, soles of locally made shoes, and board game packs heading to Saudi Arabia, Poland, and UAE were also intercepted between Monday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 12.”

Babafemi added that a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk, weighing 479kg, were recovered from Hassan Haruna, a 40-year-old suspect in Kano.

“No fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi State, in a commercial bus traveling from Lagos to Abuja on Tuesday, March 11,” he added.

A raid in Kachia, Kaduna State, on Thursday, March 13, led to the arrest of Idris Hamza, 21, with 4,900 pills of tramadol (225mg) seized from him. A similar operation in Hayin Banki, Kaduna North LGA, on Friday, March 14, resulted in the arrest of Aminu Magaji, 25, from whom 2,900 tablets of tramadol (225mg) were recovered.

“While a total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol (225mg) were recovered from Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin-Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara State, on Friday, March 14, NDLEA operatives also seized 21,700 capsules of the same opioid from a suspect, Salisu Usman, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin, on Thursday, March 13.”

In Taraba, NDLEA officers arrested Polycarp Adeku at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk.

Babafemi further disclosed that nine suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of a large cache of cannabis in Osun State.

“In Osun State, operatives on Thursday, March 13, intercepted a commercial bus, marked SGB 564 YS, coming from Idumota, Lagos Island, in front of King University, Ode-Omu, with a total of 48.7kg of Ghanaian Loud, Colorado, and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis,” he added.

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Obasa Hails ‘Jandor’s’ Return To The APC

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Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has hailed the return of former Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, to the All Progressives Congress, describing it as a positive development and a major boost for the ruling party in Lagos.

Speaker Obasa, who hosted Jandor on Tuesday at his official residence in Ikeja GRA, expressed excitement over his return to the APC, describing it as the only political platform that truly reflects the aspirations of Lagosians, and indeed, Nigerians.

“We are happy to have you back. This is a very good move,” Obasa said, assuring Jandor of full reintegration and collaboration in the party’s collective pursuit of good governance. The Speaker further praised Jandor for his courage and conviction, stressing that the APC’s inclusive structure provides the right platform for unity and development.

Responding, Jandor, who returned officially to the APC fold in March, thanked Obasa for the warm reception and pledged his commitment to working with the APC for the benefit of Lagos State and Nigeria because, “It is only through unity of purpose, shared sacrifice, and responsible leadership that we can secure a brighter and more prosperous future for every Nigerian.

He also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s recent tax reforms, saying, “Though demanding, the President’s reforms are courageous steps toward re-engineering our economy and laying a firm foundation for progress and prosperity.”

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Stop Giving Money To Miscreants, Lagos Tells Celebrities, Influencers — Says It Fuels Insecurity, Environmental Problems

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The Lagos State Government has cautioned celebrities, social media influencers, and residents against giving money to street miscreants, warning that such actions worsen insecurity and environmental issues.

Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for environment and water resources, issued the warning in a statement posted on X on Tuesday.

“Celebrities, influencers, and even well-meaning Lagosians must stop giving money to these miscreants. Each time you hand them cash, you are not solving their problem; you are encouraging them to stay on the streets, emboldening them to multiply, and reinforcing a cycle of lawlessness,” Wahab wrote.

He added that what many regard as an act of kindness complicates enforcement and creates broader security challenges.

His remarks followed a complaint by a resident, Olukayode Ajenifuja, who reported harassment along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Ajenifuja urged the state to deploy the Lagos State Neighborhood Watch to curb extortion, assault, and intimidation by homeless boys and teenagers in the area.

The warning also came after a viral video showed touts and luxury car content creators chasing a convoy believed to be carrying Afrobeats star Burna Boy, attempting to solicit money while recording content. The singer’s security team prevented them from reaching his car.

Wahab said the state government is committed to tackling the menace but urged residents to support the efforts by refusing to encourage the miscreants.

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Leave Before Visa Expires Or We’ll Remove You — UK Warns Foreign Students

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The United Kingdom has warned international students whose visas have expired to leave the country or risk deportation.

The Home Office, in a new enforcement campaign, said it has begun sending direct text and email messages to students, marking the first time such a measure is being applied.

According to the BBC, about 10,000 students whose visas are due to expire have already received the messages, while tens of thousands more will be contacted in the coming months.

The message from the Home Office reads: “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”

The agency also warned that asylum claims considered “lacking merit” would be swiftly rejected.

Data released by the Home Office showed that between July 2024 and June 2025, a total of 41,100 asylum claims were lodged by people who had entered the UK legally on visas, with students making up the largest share.

Figures indicated that international students filed 16,000 asylum claims in 2024, almost six times the number recorded in 2020. Although the number has since dropped by about 10 percent, the British government said it expects a further reduction.

The department noted that asylum claims by skilled worker visa holders have decreased within the same period.

Earlier this year, the UK government reduced the period foreign graduates can remain in the country after completing their studies, cutting it from two years to 18 months.

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