An attempt by a convicted drug kingpin, Michael Oladimeji Olashupo, to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules, popularly known as garri, to London, United Kingdom, on a Virgin Atlantic flight has been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The NDLEA operatives discovered at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos State.

He is presently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, after NDLEA arrested him in 2025.

Olashupo was arrested in connection with a case of unlawful conspiracy to export 17.90kg of cocaine.

He was successfully prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced in charge number: FHC/L/925C/2025, by a Federal High Court in Lagos State.

Not ready to give up on his criminal enterprise, the convict, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Dimeji Express Logistics, located at 20, Omilade Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, initiated the latest scheme from behind the prison wall to export the 1.10kg cocaine, using his company.

His lid was, however, uncovered on February 12, 2026, when NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport intercepted a consignment of compressed blocks of cocaine, hidden in a sack of garri, which was further packed inside a carton.

A staff member of Dimeji Express Logistics, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the consignment for export, was promptly arrested.

Investigations revealed that Olashupo initiated the trafficking scheme from prison and directed Yusuf to pick up the consignment at a location in Oshodi.

Visitors to the United Kingdom who require a visa will no longer receive physical documents from February 25, 2026.

The UK Visas and Immigration announced this in an X post on Friday.

According to the official UKVI, travellers will now be issued an electronic visa (eVisa), which must be viewed via a UKVI account before travel.

“From 25 February 2026, visitors to the UK, who need a visa, will get an eVisa only. Create your UKVI account and view your eVisa before you travel to the UK,” the statement read.

The UK government explains that an eVisa is “a digital record of your identity and immigration status – for example, the type of visa you have or if you have indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK – and the conditions of your status, for example, if you’re allowed to work or study in the UK.”

It added that eVisas are replacing physical immigration documents, noting, “EVisas have already replaced biometric residence permits (BRPs). They will also replace biometric residence cards (BRCs) and wet ink stamps or vignettes (stickers) in passports.”

Travellers will typically receive an eVisa “when they successfully apply for a visa or other type of permission to be in the UK.”

Once issued, users can “view your eVisa and get a share code to prove your immigration status, for example, when you get a new job or rent a home,” and can travel after adding passport or travel document details.

According to the UK government, accessing the eVisa requires a UKVI account.

“You can set up a UKVI account if you do not already have one. You do not need to pay to set up a UKVI account or access your eVisa,” the UK government website confirmed.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his decision to embrace what critics describe as “weakness” was driven by the need for peace and survival, as he dedicated his Man of the Year award to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking while receiving his award at the New Telegraph Award/Dinner Night in Lagos on Friday, Fubara delivered an emotional reflection on leadership, political pressures, and reconciliation.

“Today for me is a very special day, and also special for everyone who has believed in me, and I know that for believing in me, you have a share of special pain,” the governor said.

Addressing the prolonged political tensions that have defined Rivers State’s governance landscape, Fubara stated that his approach had often been misunderstood.

“Some of these pains, some persons describe them as weakness, while others say it as being strong, but I choose to be weak for a lot of reasons to be weak. Weak, because I want peace.

“Weak, because we need to survive. Weak, because I need to also protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation,” he said.

In a remark likely to stir political conversations, the governor added, “Weakness is a virtue. It pays at the right time.”

Fubara expressed gratitude to his family and the people of Rivers State for what he described as their patience and maturity amid months of political uncertainty.

“To the wonderful people of Rivers State that have shown support, shown quietness, shown maturity that has brought us this far,” he said.

He then made a direct and symbolic dedication of the award to Wike, his predecessor and political benefactor.

“I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it, I also dedicate this award to somebody who also discovered me, not minding the situation, the Honourable Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.

“He discovered me, and it is the discovery that gave me this loudness,” Fubara stated.

The governor’s comments come against the backdrop of recent signs of easing tensions between the two leaders following mediation by President Bola Tinubu.

It was earlier reported that the rivalry between Wike and Fubara showed indications of softening after what was described as a “final” intervention by the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.