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NDLEA Intercepts UK, UAE, Australia-Bound Illicit Drugs Concealed In Body Cream, Artwork

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully thwarted attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol to Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

On October 28, 2024, NDLEA officers intercepted drug shipments concealed within body cream containers and pieces of artwork at various courier companies in Lagos State.

Additionally, on October 29, 2024, the agency seized 754,000 pills of tapentadol and acetaminophen at the Apapa seaport during a joint operation with Nigerian Customs Service and other security agencies.

In another operation in the Federal Capital Territory, 24-year-old Mujahid Hamisu was arrested with 147,000 tramadol pills concealed in plumbing materials along the Kwali-Gwagwalada-Abuja Expressway.

Hamisu was on his way from Onitsha, Anambra State on November 2, 2024.

Another suspect, Seun Abimbola, 47, was nabbed by NDLEA operatives the same day with 512 grams of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Giri Junction area of the FCT.

In Kogi State, NDLEA officers on patrol along Kabba-Obajana Highway arrested Mercy Ameh, 28, in a commercial bus travelling from Lagos to Abuja while a search of her luggage led to the recovery of fake Naira notes worth N4,353,200.

Another suspect, Shaibu Dahiru, 27, was nabbed in a vehicle going from Lagos to Katsina along Lokoja-Okene-Abuja Road on October 30 with 68 blocks of cannabis weighing 27.400kg.

A notorious drug dealer, Usman Abba (alias Timaya), who has been on the watchlist of the Katsina State Command of the NDLEA was on October 30 arrested at Liberty Hotel, Kofar Kaura with consignments of Arizona, a strain of cannabis.

The same day, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa State arrested a suspect, Augustine Dike, 31, with 50.3 grams of methamphetamine at Quarisa Hotel, Jimeta.

In Taraba State, operatives on November 1 arrested Danlami Fakwa, 46, at Sabon Gari, Jalingo Local Government Area with 49.795kg cannabis, while a total of 561kg of the same substance was recovered from a Sienna bus at Ogbese village in Ondo State on October 28.

A suspect Kabiru Yusuf, 25, was on October 2 arrested in possession of 51,813 pills of tramadol and exol 5 at NDA Bus Stop, Kaduna, just as raids in Edo State led to the seizure of 603.6kg cannabis at Farm Road, Ekiadolor and 308.4kg of same substance at Uroe community.

Meanwhile, across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week.

Instances include WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Sanganare, Adamawa State; students of College of Arts and Islamic Studies, Tungan Magajiya, Niger State; students and staff of Regina Catholic International College, Obehie, Abia State; students and teachers of Akinmorin Grammar School, Oyo, Oyo State; as well as students and teachers of Redeemer’s International School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

BIG STORY

UPDATE: Nigerian Police File 12 Fresh Cybercrime Charges Against Dele Farotimi [PHOTOS]

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The Nigerian Police have brought new cybercrime charges against detained human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

The additional 12-count charge was filed on Friday, December 6, 2024, before a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti.

This comes after 16 charges were previously filed against Farotimi by the Police on Wednesday.

It will be recalled that the human rights lawyer was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command.

The following day, he was arraigned in a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti on a 16-count charge of defamation of character against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola, who was mentioned in his book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

In his ruling, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun remanded Farotimi in prison custody until December 10.

In the latest charges, Farotimi is accused of making defamatory statements on Seun Okinbaloye’s podcast, based on content in his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.

He is further accused of intimidating and maligning Afe Babalola during the podcast.

The lawyer was also charged with publicly discussing details of legal actions taken against him during a press conference on December 2, 2024, prior to his arrest on December 3, 2024.

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Taraba Governor’s Sister “Accidentally Shot By Police Escort” During Gunmen Attack

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Atsi Kefas, the sister of Agbu Kefas, the governor of Taraba State, was reportedly shot by a police escort during an attack by gunmen on Thursday.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Jumai, the governor’s mother, and Atsi were traveling along Kente Road in Wukari LGA of Taraba State when they were attacked.

The publication stated that a police officer assigned to escort the family “accidentally shot Atsi” while attempting to fend off the assailants.

Following the attack, troops rescued the victims and evacuated both Jumai and Atsi Kefas from the scene using an air ambulance.

The injured sister was rushed to the hospital for treatment, and her condition remains undisclosed at the time of this report.

The vehicle used by the gunmen was recovered by security forces, along with an empty magazine, and the luggage of the passengers was found in the vehicle.

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BIG STORY

Governor Sanwo-Olu Seeks Investors For Proposed $1.9bn Purple, Green Rail Line Projects

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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, announced that he is seeking investors for the proposed $1.9 billion purple and green rail lines.

Sanwo-Olu made the statement on Thursday at the ongoing Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days in Rabat, Morocco.

Discussing the state’s investment strategy for the purple rail line, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the project presents a strong investment opportunity with promising returns.

The governor expressed enthusiasm about moving forward with the project, stating that his administration is ready to be flexible with investors to ensure its successful delivery.

He added that the purple rail line would connect Lagos and Ogun states.

“The purple rail line is a 60 km electrified rail system that will include 16 stations and seamlessly integrate with existing metro and bus services to enhance connectivity,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“It is projected to serve over 300,000 passengers daily, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging a shift from road to rail transportation.”

Sanwo-Olu informed potential funders that the immediate requirement is $866.05 million, which will cover survey and design, as well as civil works.

He outlined a short-to-medium-term funding projection of $602.81 million and a long-term funding plan of $497.7 million.

The governor highlighted that the state is working toward a transportation master plan aimed at creating a brighter, more effective, efficient, sustainable, and safer system.

He emphasized the state’s focus on integrated transportation systems and mass transit solutions to reduce traffic congestion and commuting time, ultimately improving the health and wellbeing of residents.

He further explained that each corridor features a bus rapid transit (BRT) system and waterway routes, designed to take commuters off the major roads and alleviate traffic.

“Two of the stations that were built on the same line are also connected with water, rail and BRT altogether,” he said.

  • ‘THERE WOULD BE NO BACKLASHES, DISPLACED PERSONS WOULD BE COMPENSATED’

Sanwo-Olu assured investors that the state is committed to ensuring there would be no disruptions or backlash from displaced communities.

“The government would even pay compensations to displaced persons where necessary, so no additional burden is brought to would-be funders,” he added.

“We don’t want to lock in anything, we know all the various options. We understand how some of these things work.”

“We’re willing and ready to make those transactions work. We’ve seen from our experience how to guarantee revenue assurance.”

“We have a payment system under the cowry card, which is where we’d block leakages to a large extent, and the same contactless card can be used on our bus, train, and ferry, where it will all be integrated.”

“On a daily basis, they know what the traffic is and what is due to everybody. Whatever, based on the study or the ridership guarantee, we would look at it.”

Sanwo-Olu added that the state government would need “to either top up on other forms of revenue that can help out in terms of advertising rides on the corridor.”

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