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NDLEA Intercepts N2.2bn Codeine Bottles At Tin Can Seaport In Lagos

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The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized two containers containing 1,596 cartons of codeine-based syrup, equivalent to 319,200 bottles worth N2.234 billion in street value, at the Tin Can seaport in Lagos.

According to Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA, “The agency’s operatives at the Tin Can seaport in Lagos, on Friday, intercepted two containers that came from the Mundra port in India with no fewer than 1,596 cartons of codeine-based syrup containing 319, 200 bottles of the opioid worth N2.234bn in street value during a joint examination with other port stakeholders.”

Additionally, the NDLEA made several arrests and busts across Nigeria, including the case of Ibeanusi Solomon Nosike, a 36-year-old businessman from Onitsha, Anambra State, who was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Nosike excreted 68 wraps of cocaine after 12 days of observation. He was caught attempting to board a flight to Abuja, where he planned to connect to a Qatar Airways flight to Vietnam.

He was thereafter intercepted by the NDLEA operatives who moved him into an excretion observation, where he spent the next 12 days excreting the cocaine pellets weighing 1.282 kilograms.

Also, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, 1.20kg cannabis concealed in a package to Dubai was intercepted, and the sender, Aligbo Chukwudi Jacob, was arrested, while at the Mushin area of the state, 3,834 bottles of codeine syrup, 5,200 Co-Codamol pills, and 11,880 Rohypnol tablets were recovered from Godwill Davidson who also was arrested.

In Kano State, the statement revealed that 145,400 tramadol pills were seized, and two suspects arrested, while in Edo State, two ladies were arrested for online sales of illicit drugs. Some 288.8kg of cannabis was recovered from Saturday Edobor while 30 cups of cookies and 17 slices of cake laced with illicit substances were recovered from Odion Uzordinma.

In Oyo State, 267.5 litres of skuchies and 18 grams of Canadian Loud were recovered from Feranmi Bankole and Fredrick Tobiloba.

At the Seme Border, five female drug traffickers were arrested with 14 packs of Loud cannabis weighing 6.97kg.

It further stated that another suspect, Yahaya Ibrahim, 23 years old, was nabbed by operatives along the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, Kogi State with 42,000 pills of tramadol coming from Asaba, Delta State en route to Potiskum, Yobe State.

“In Lagos, a suspect, Godwill Davidson, was on Wednesday, August 21, arrested with 3,834 bottles of codeine syrup, 5,200 pills of co-Codamol; and 11, 880 tablets of Rohypnol in the Mushin area of the state.

“Two ladies were arrested by operatives in Edo State for online sales of illicit drugs. Odion Uzordinma, 21, was arrested in the Ugbowo area of Benin City with 30 cups of cookies and 17 slices of cake, all laced with illicit substances. A raid operation at the Oghada village, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, August 20, led to the arrest of Saturday Edobor, 50, with 288.8kg of cannabis. While Martha Owotorofa, 26, was nabbed at Kada Plaza, Benin City with quantities of Canadian Loud,

“Two suspects Feranmi Bankole, 25, and Fredrick Tobiloba, 25, were on August 20, 2024, arrested at Pariz Lounge, Adeoyo area in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State following intelligence. Recovered from them were 267.5 liters of skuchies, a mixture of black currant and assorted illicit drugs, and 18 grams of Canadian Loud.

“Operatives of a Special Operations Unit in NDLEA have arrested five cross-border female drug traffickers at the Seme border while on their way back to Lagos from Ghana. Leader of the syndicate, 42-year-old Olaribigbe Bashirat Feyisara has been under NDLEA radar, before being tracked and arrested on August 21, 2024, along with other members of her gang: Abogun Fatimah Ladidi, Osibeluwo Tolulope Oluwaseun, Akanni Balikis Oluwatoyin and Ajetumobi Amudalat,” the statement concluded.

It was earlier reported that a Vietnam-bound businessman, 54-year-old Paul Okwuy Mbadugha, was arrested by the NDLEA at the Abuja airport on Monday, August 12, 2024, during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR 1432 to Hanoi, Vietnam via Doha after he tested positive to ingestion of cocaine. After four days under observation, Mbadugha excreted a total of 88 wraps of the illicit drug with a gross weight of 1.710 kilograms.

BIG STORY

Lagos State Government To Concession Red And Blue Line Rails For Sustainability, Loan Repayment

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to concession the operations of the Red and Blue Line rail systems to the private sector in order to ensure their sustainability and repay loans taken for the rail projects.

This announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, during a recent TVC News interview, where he discussed the measures being implemented to ensure the continued viability of the state’s rail systems.

Osiyemi explained that the concessioning process would involve transferring the operations of the rail systems to private sector players for a defined period. This approach is intended to ensure the continued operation and effective management of the rail projects.

“The ultimate game is for all our rail systems we’ve done—that is, the Red Line and Blue Line—there is going to be some concessionairing with the private sector for a period of time to ensure sustainability and continuity,” he stated.

He added, “The concessioning would help pay back the loans taken for the rail projects.”

The commissioner emphasized that the concessioning strategy aims to ensure efficient operations and long-term financial sustainability, in line with the state’s vision for a world-class transportation network.

  • More Insight

Osiyemi further highlighted the substantial financial and technical challenges involved in operating rail systems, describing them as capital-intensive projects that require significant resources and specialized expertise.

To tackle these challenges and build local capacity, he noted that the Lagos State Government has enlisted foreign partners to temporarily manage the operations of the trains.

These partners are expected to not only ensure smooth operations during their tenure but also transfer critical skills to Nigerian personnel. The plan includes a structured training program lasting one to two years, after which the management of the rail systems will be fully handed over to local operators.

“What we have done is we have consulted foreign partners who, of course, would run these trains for a particular period of time and train our people—that is, transfer of skills.”

“They will train our people for one to two years, then hand over for our own management,” Osiyemi explained.

  • Things You Should Know

The Lagos State Government, under its Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan, has set out an ambitious vision to develop a network of rail systems across the state.

Currently, only the first phases of the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems have been completed, with passenger services already in operation.

The Blue Line is a 27km electric rail line designed for sustainable operations. Its first phase, covering 13km from Lagos Marina to Mile 2, was completed in 2023 and began commercial operations in September, carrying over 2 million passengers to date.

The Red Line, spanning 37km from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo in Lagos, operates on diesel. Its first phase, a 27km stretch, includes eight strategically located stations: Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo.

The construction of the second phases of both the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems is being managed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which also oversees the operation of the trains.

Beyond the Red and Blue Lines, the state has plans for additional rail systems, including the 68km Green Line (Lekki Free Trade Zone to Marina), the 85.7km Purple Line (Redemption Camp to Ojo), the 48km Orange Line (Ikeja CBD to Agbowa), and the Yellow Line, all aimed at enhancing the state’s transportation network.

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BIG STORY

Lagos Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab Condoles With Families Of Epe Accident Victims

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Condolence Message from the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred in our community, Epe, claiming the lives of two promising young adults, a dedicated tricycle driver, and leaving several other people injured. This heartbreaking accident has left our hearts heavy, as we mourn the loss of these young souls who were full of hope and dreams, and an industrious individual who worked tirelessly for his livelihood.

As a member of this community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends affected by this terrible loss. I can only imagine the pain you must feel, and I want you to know that you are not alone in this moment of grief.

Let us honor the memories of these individuals by advocating for safety and awareness on our roads. As we move forward, may we find comfort in community and strength in one another. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find solace and healing in the days to come.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Monday Okpebholo Sworn In As Edo State Governor

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Monday Okpebholo, a serving senator, has been sworn in as the governor of Edo State.

Okpebholo took his oath of office at about 1pm on Tuesday during the inauguration ceremony in Benin, the state capital.

As the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo won the September 21 off-cycle governorship election in the state.

He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second with 247,274 votes.

Olumide Akpata, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), came third with 22,763 votes.

Dennis Idahosa was also sworn in as the deputy governor of Edo.

Dignitaries, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, chair of the governors’ forum; Philip Shaibu, reinstated deputy governor of Edo; and other governors from the party, were present as Okpebholo took the oath of office.

The new governor later rode in an open-top van around the stadium, acknowledging cheers from supporters.

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