Connect with us


BIG STORY

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

Published

on

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

400 Sex Tapes: Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar Remanded In Prison

Published

on

The former Director-General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been remanded in Malabo’s Black Beach Prison.

The embattled former anti-graft chief was arrested days ago for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.

This scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, resulting in an impromptu search of his home and office by ANIF officials, who reportedly discovered several CDs that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.

As the footage leaked online, causing a media uproar, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, dismissed Engonga.

According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, the dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”

A viral video surfaced on social media on Friday, showing Engonga handcuffed on both hands and legs during a court appearance.

Confirming the situation, French online blog Afrikmatin reported that Engonga, who was officially removed from his role on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.

Additionally, online newspaper UGStandard reported that the sex tapes began circulating on social networks while Engonga was already held at Malabo’s notorious Black Beach Prison on charges of embezzling public funds, as reported by state television, TVGE.

In a fact-checking report published Wednesday, Dubawa verified that Engonga had indeed been taken into custody on corruption charges and is currently being held in Black Beach Prison.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

JAPA: Canada Tightens Visa Rules, Ends Automatic 10-Year Multiple-Entry Visas

Published

on

Canada will no longer automatically grant 10-year multiple-entry visas to tourists, according to new guidelines issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

This decision marks a shift from the previous practice where eligible visitors were routinely issued long-term visas, permitting multiple entries over a decade.

Under the revised rules, immigration officers now have discretion to issue visas with shorter durations based on individual assessments.

Instead of a default extended validity period, each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Officers can decide whether to grant a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and determine its duration, moving away from the automatic issuance of maximum-validity multiple-entry visas.

“Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period,” said the IRCC.

The IRCC explained that this change is part of a broader strategy aimed at managing temporary immigration levels while addressing ongoing challenges such as housing shortages and rising living costs.

The policy adjustment reflects the Canadian government’s efforts to adapt its immigration approach in response to economic and infrastructure pressures.

Previously, Canada offered two types of tourist visas: multiple-entry and single-entry. Applicants were generally considered for the multiple-entry visa, which allowed them to visit the country multiple times over a period of up to 10 years or until one month before their passport’s expiration date.

Single-entry visas, issued for specific situations like official visits or participation in single events, were less common.

Now, with the updated guidance, maximum-validity multiple-entry visas will no longer be the standard offering.

Immigration officers will exercise their judgement to decide on the appropriate type and duration of the visa, tailoring it to the specific needs and circumstances of the traveller.

The application fee for a Canadian visitor visa remains unchanged at CAD 100 per person, with no difference in cost between single-entry and multiple-entry options.

However, the shift may result in increased application costs for frequent travellers, who might need to apply more often due to shorter-term visas.

This policy change is part of a wider effort to balance immigration levels with Canada’s current infrastructure capabilities.

Other measures announced include a reduction in the target for permanent resident admissions, which will drop from 500,000 in 2025 to 395,000, with further decreases planned for 2026 and 2027.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

MC Oluomo Elected NURTW National President

Published

on

Former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as “MC Oluomo,” was elected the new National President of the Union on Saturday.

Akinsanya was the sole candidate in the election, which took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road.

Delegates from the four Southwest states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti participated in the election.

The election, held during the Union’s Quadrennial Delegate Conference, was monitored and observed by the acting National President of the group, Aliyu Issa-Ore.

Issa-Ore, addressing the gathering, explained that the Union’s Constitution stipulates that the zone permitted to fill the national president’s position would elect its preferred candidate and present them to the national body.

The acting NURTW President, represented by Mrs. Adedamola Salam, Head of Finance at the National Headquarters in Abuja, added, “The Southwest zone has fully complied with the Constitution in electing Oluomo as President.

The delegates also elected Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President, Southwest, while Akeem Adeosun was chosen as Trustee from the Zone.

Shortly after taking the oath of office, Akinsanya, surrounded by associates and family members, called for peace and pledged to work towards unity among members.

He further stated, “I have forgiven everyone who has offended me, and I hope those I have offended will forgive me as well.

“This is our union, and we must be committed to preserving it. We will not allow anyone to destroy our means of livelihood.”

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular