The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NDLEA seizes N4.7b drugs in two busts, arrests siblings

    NDLEA seizes N4.7b drugs in two busts, arrests siblings

    •Agency uncovers factory in Ogun, recovers 230,600 banned pills in Kano
    •28,959kg cannabis destroyed in Edo, Ekiti forests

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized consignments of 20.76 kilogrammes of cocaine and methamphetamine worth over N4.1billion in Aba, Abia State, belonging to a drug baron, 49-year-old Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi and his 50-year-old elder sister, Ms. Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi.

    Its Director, Media and Advocacy, Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement yesterday, said they were arrested by officers of the Special Operation Unit last Thursday and Friday at 3B,  Boundary Avenue, Aba and a residence along Ohia Road, Ohia, Abia State.

    Also, Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives in Lagos State seized a large consignment of codeine-based syrup, at Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri.

    He said four persons were arrested during the raid. They were Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bornaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56.

    Babafemi said 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600million, a Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses  were recovered on June 10.

    Read Also: NDLEAnabs 110 suspects, recovers 520.385kgs illicit drugs in Kaduna

    Two days later, he added, operatives intercepted another suspect, Ibrahim Abdulhamid with 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 3.9 litres of codeine syrup at Alaba Suru, Ojo local council area of t  he state.

    The statement reads: “   A total of 230,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg were recovered from the duo of Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, who are major distributors of illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa states, when they were arrested on Monday 10th June at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano. In the same vein, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was nabbed with 150 bottles of codeine syrup at Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano on Tuesday 11th June.

    “In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives on Monday, 10th June seized 390kg of cannabis and arrested the trio of Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad and Samaila Rabe during an early morning raid at Ibese area, while officers on Wednesday 12th June  bursted a skuchies-making factory at Sabo area of Shagamu town where seven suspects were arrested.

    “They include Kareem Jamiu; Oriyimi Ayo; Bamidele Wasiu; Rasheed Olarewanju; Ramota Lawal; Amudalat Olarewanju; and Adeniyi Omotosho. Exhibits recovered from them include: 387 litres of skuchies; 70 litres of industrial codeine; 25kg cannabis and different quantities of tramadol, rophynol, diazepam, as well as various equipment used in the production of the new psychoactive substance.

    “Not less than 10, 534.78 kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed on 4.213912 hectares of farmland on Wednesday 12th June when NDLEA officers raided Uhen forest in Ovia Northeast council area of Edo state where four suspects: Frank Ishoku, 38; Clifford Ossai, 49; Vanger Timothy, 30; and John Peter Oluwaseyi, 30, were nabbed and 16kg processed cannabis was recovered for the purpose of prosecution.

    “In a similar development, 18,425kg of the same psychoactive substance on 7.37 hectares of farmland was destroyed by NDLEA operatives supported by personnel of other security agencies in the thick forest of Ise Ekiti, Ekiti State on June 14.

    In Abuja, two suspects: Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, were arrested with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura”, a new mixture of psychotropic substances, by operatives during a raid on Friday, 14th June at Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale, both within the FCT.

  • Six killed, many abducted as gunmen attack Sokoto community

    Six killed, many abducted as gunmen attack Sokoto community

    Six people are confirmed dead in an attack by suspected bandits on Tudun Doki village in Gwadabawa LGA of Sokoto State.

     The state police spokesperson, Ahmed Rufai, said the attack happened “in the early hours” of  yesterday — the day muslims were celebrating Eid-el-Kabir.

    Rufai said six bodies were retrieved after the attack, adding that the number of people abducted “is yet to be ascertained”.

    “The village is far away from the main town. Accessing the village is very difficult because of the inability of vehicles to reach there. Most operations go there on motorcycles.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns death of former Sokoto State governor

    “We are only able to receive reports about the six people confirmed dead. It happened in the early hours of today and people would be going to mosques, so we cannot proceed to the field. We had to get the six people to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead. The DPO and his men have been mobilised to ascertain the number of abducted.”

    Sokoto has been one of the hotbeds of kidnapping and bandit attacks in recent months,’’ he added.

    In March, 15 Tsangaya students were kidnapped at Gidan Bakuso in Gada LGA of the state. The students were released13 days later.

  • Manhunt for father who ‘killed’ his daughter in Delta

    Manhunt for father who ‘killed’ his daughter in Delta

    The Delta State Police Command have launched a manhunt for a suspect for the alleged murder of his six-year-old daughter, Miss Abigail Stanley.

    The incident occurred at the weekend in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, the state Police Commissioner, Abaniwonda Olufemi, said.

    Although the circumstances surrounding the incident were sketchy at the time of filing this report, the state Police Command image maker, Bright Edafe (SP) confirmed the incident in a statement. He identified the suspect as Stanley Oviemureye.

    Read Also: Sallah: Kano govt faults police on durbar ban

    The police boss said the father of the deceased smashed the head of his daughter several times on the wall, leading to her death.

    The statement reads: “This Command is aware of the gruesome murder of one Abigail Stanley (female ) aged six years, allegedly by the father of one Mr. Stanley Ovemureye.

  • Three killed, 22 injured in Osun Sallah road crashes

    Three killed, 22 injured in Osun Sallah road crashes

    Three persons died yesterday in a road crash in Aagba Town, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State.

    The Nation gathered that the accident involved a private Toyota Camry with plate number AKD 810 QX and a motorcycle carrying the three deceased.

    It was learnt that the incident occurred around the Palace of Alaagba of Aagba at 2:50 PM while a motorcycle which had three people on it was crushed to death by a driver who fled from the scene immediately.

    An eyewitness named Shina told The Nation that “the driver of the car was overspeeding with his Camry pencil when he crushed those on the bike and they died immediately.

    He ran and left the car at the scene. Before we knew it, unknown people removed the plate number of the car.”

    Read Also: Osun communities vow to eliminate FGM

    Similarly, another accident occurred at Sekona town in Ede South Local Government Area of Osun State where an 18-seater Hummer bus with registration number— Lagos AGL- 664- BH had head-on collision with a Fiat van along Gbongan/Osogbo road.

    It was gathered that the driver of the bus dozed off which caused him to veer off his lane to collide with the van.

    The spokesperson of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun Command, Kehinde Adeleke, confirmed the accidents. 

    She explained: “Three people were killed in the Aagba town accident and the driver fled the scene, while 22 travellers were injured at the accident which occurred in Sekona.”

  • Police probe death of ‘lovers’ in Ondo apartment

    Police probe death of ‘lovers’ in Ondo apartment

    The Police Command in Ondo State is investigating the death of a man identified as Eric and his lover who died at an apartment at Ayeyemi,  Ondo, Ondo State.

    The incident happened last Thursday.

    Witnesses said the lovers, who were naked, were stuck and it was a doctor that separated them.

    According to a witness, “The generator running on their premises was still on and a phone was charging on a socket placed on the bed. It may be possible that they had contact with a naked wire, resulting in their electrocution.

    Read Also: Policeman, armed robbers die as security agents foil Abuja bank robbery

    “It was relatives of the man that found them dead when they checked on him after he didn’t answer his phone calls the following day. They looked through a window, spotted the bodies, and then broke down the door to enter.

    Ondo Police spokesman, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said: “The man and the woman are lovers who were known by both relatives.They died in the room but they were not stuck together. We are yet to know the cause but  investigation has commenced.”

  • Govt confirms 15 cholera deaths in Lagos

    Govt confirms 15 cholera deaths in Lagos

    •350 cases recorded

    The Lagos State Ministry of Health has confirmed the death of 15 persons killed by cholera with 350 suspected cases in 29 wards across some local government areas.

    In a statement, the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs Tunbosun Ogunbanwo quoted the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, as saying that he had taken steps to control the outbreak and that the cases were reducing.

    It said: “The laboratory investigation and test results have so far confirmed Cholera sub-type O-1. This subtype is associated with more severe disease.The pattern of new cases per day varies across LGAS, according to our ongoing surveillance and monitoring updates.

    Read Also: Company MD, three Lebanese brothers abducted in Lagos

    “Although this is an increase from the numbers published three days ago, cases are now dramatically subsiding in previously affected LGAs due to our interventions and surveillance efforts, however, we are recording some new cases in previously unaffected LGAs, signalling the need for residents to adhere strictly to precautionary, personal, and environmental hygiene measures.”

    Abayomi added: “Inspections of facilities are ongoing. We are prepositioning cholera kits in health facilities across the State. Our efforts to control the outbreak also include the distribution of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), and public health education campaigns.

    The commissioner called on residents to be cautious, cooperate with health authorities, and participate in community sanitation to mitigate the spread of cholera, especially during the Eid-al-Adha celebration. He added: “Reporting symptoms like watery diarrhea or vomiting immediately is also crucial, to save lives and prevent transmission to other members of the community. Treatment for suspected cholera is provided free of charge at all government facilities as part of the government’s standard public health response.”

  • ‘Police, PSC saga over recruitment unnecessary’

    ‘Police, PSC saga over recruitment unnecessary’

    Chairman of the Police Recruitment Board Onyemuche Nnamani has described the recruitment crisis between the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) as unnecessary.

    Nnamani advised the NPF to adhere to the court judgment concerning recruitment into the police force and who should be in charge.

    A statement by Nnamani yesterday reads: “My attention has been drawn to the statements in respect of the ongoing 2022/2023 Recruitment Exercise of Police constables by the Police Recruitment Board. These accusations and counter accusations do not conduce to the expected relational template of the sister institutions. “Recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force is an institutional duty of the Police Service Commission which, like any other human endeavour, may sometimes throw up some challenges. But where such challenges are observed, they are usually tackled through institutional channels provided for by the laws and regulations of such organisations.

    Read Also:Hamburg police shoot man with axe at Euro 2024

    “The NPF and the PSC are complimentary institutions that have worked harmoniously over the years for the betterment and improved security of the country. Therefore, all these incendiary press releases are not necessary and fall short of the reasonable expectations of the people, especially in this challenging season when more than any other, collaborative efforts between these crucial institutions are needed. If anything, our roles are complimentary, and definitely not contradictory.

    “Given that President Bola Tinubu has graciously nominated some persons as prospective members of the PSC board, patriotic duty compels all of us to sheath our swords and allow time for the screening, confirmation and inauguration of the new Board, whose duty among others, would be to iron out any noticeable creases in the ongoing recruitment exercise, including the suggestions by the NPF.”

  • Lagos pays N353 million to families of deceased workers

    Lagos pays N353 million to families of deceased workers

    Lagos State has paid another N353 million as insurance benefits to families of 128 deceased local government and State Univrsal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) workers.

    Commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Robert, at the presentation, affirmed that the disbursement is one of the many ways Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has proven that he prioritises workers’ welfare.

    According to the commissioner, the state had, in the last one year, disbursed N391,226 million to 264 beneficiaries of deceased employees of SUBEB and local government staff.

    He admonished desk officers to ensure due-diligence is done to ensure proper documentation of death certificates for the deceased. He also urged beneficiaries to appreciate the government by expending the money judiciously on legacies that honour the lives of the deceased.

    Read Also: Mani Foundation to hold basketball clinic in Lagos

    Permanent Secretary in the ministry Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa thanked the governor for approving the disbursement, saying it is borne out of his humane nature to honour deceased staff members of the civil service who served well and deserve their rewards in life and in death.

    Mrs. Bolarinwa also thanked LASACO Assurance and Haggai Insurance for being accountable and for ensuring the insurance benefits seamlessly reach the beneficiaries. She also appealed to the beneficiaries to ensure they put the money to good use in honour of the deceased.

    SUBEB Hakeem Shittu, represented by the Director, Teacher’s Pension Department, Mrs. Tohibat Olona, reiterated that the presentation was to honour the deceased who worked tirelessly to build the dream of a greater Lagos, hence the need for beneficiaries to use and invest the money wisely.

  • Tinubu: fathers are true heroes

    Tinubu: fathers are true heroes

    President Bola Tinubu has saluted fathers for their sacrifices and resilience in shaping the country’s future. He noted that society is in a better stead because of fathers’ sacrificial responsibility.

    Tinubu, in his Father’s Day message, acknowledged the significance of honouring all fathers, living and deceased, for their role in guiding children and instilling values like discipline, integrity, and service.

    The president praised fathers as ‘true heroes who work tirelessly to provide for their families’. He described their commitment as a ‘bounden duty’ to positively shape the destinies of the next generation.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, reads: “President Bola Tinubu congratulates fathers, including all paternal figures, who have in no small measure contributed to shaping the destiny of the nation by their sacrifice, forbearance, provision, protection, presence, and guidance of the young ones on the noble and true path.

    Read Also: Mani Foundation to hold basketball clinic in Lagos

    “Father’s Day, with origins far deep into the Middle Ages, and official roots in West Virginia, the United States, where an event was held in 1908 to celebrate 362 men who died in an explosion at a coal mining company, is significant for its purpose as a day set apart to honour all fathers – living, deceased, and paternal figures.

    “President Tinubu affirms that society is in better stead with fathers who rise to the great demand of responsibility, guiding the children through the vagaries of existence and preparing them for the future, as well as bequeathing to them pristine values that money or material comfort cannot provide, but only by personal example of discipline, integrity, service, respect, love and allegiance to the nation.

    “The president salutes all fathers, the sung and the unsung, who brave the toil of the day and the soreness of the night to provide for their families, describing them as true heroes. He urges fathers to stay true to their bounden commitment of positively shaping the destinies of those to whom the future belongs.

    “The president wishes Nigerians a happy Father’s Day.”

  • Sanwo-Olu’s wife seeks quality education for boys

    Sanwo-Olu’s wife seeks quality education for boys

    Wife of Lagos State Governor Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has stressed the need to promote access to quality education for vulnerable children, especially the boy-child. According to her, the growing neglect of the boy-child could adversely affect their well-being and threaten their future.

    Mrs. Sanwo-Olu spoke at the closing of a three-day residential workshop with the theme: ‘Awakening the Boy-Child Towards Becoming a Change Agent’, organised by the Office of the First Lady.

    The workshop was held at the Lagos Model College, Meiran.

    Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos Boy-Child Initiative is to raise awareness on the rights and welfare of the boy-child.

    She said: “There has been lots of attention on the girl-child, but these girls will still end up with the boys wherever and everywhere, even in marriage. So we are here to lay more emphasis on the raising and training of the boy-child. This is the Lagos Boy-Child Initiative.

    Read Also: Lagos warns traders against using harmful substances to preserve food

    “The second opportunity is to promote educational opportunities for male children, especially the indigent ones. From research, we discovered that some boys have been deprived education because of financial constraints in the family circles. We want to tell the world that the boy-child needs available opportunities to be well educated. We are glad that the Lagos State government and other state governments are encouraging education to a certain level, so we are here to buttress that point.

    “The third objective is to facilitate the rehabilitation of the vulnerable boy-child through referrals. There are a lot of children out there, especially the boys, who are victims of circumstances and so they end up on the streets. There is another cadre of people out there ready to capture them if other people are not ready to take care of their wards.”