Ttwenty-one foreigners involved in a high-profile cybercrime syndicate uncovered in Abuja last November have been convicted.
Last November, some policemen raided a building at Jahi, Abuja.
The operation, which was part of a cybercrime crackdown, resulted in the arrest of 130 suspects, comprising 113 foreigners, who were mainly Chinese and Malaysians, alongside 17 Nigerians.
The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said: “These suspects were implicated in activities, including large-scale internet fraud, hacking operations, and other cyber offences capable of undermining Nigeria’s national security and economic stability.
“Following meticulous and painstaking investigations, the suspects were arraigned in court on December 2, 2024. The trial process, which involved the presentation of robust digital forensic evidence and expert testimonies, has progressed steadily through the judicial system. As of Friday, 1st August 2025, 21 of the accused have been convicted and sentenced by the competent court of jurisdiction. Prosecution of the remaining defendants continues, with the Police working closely with the Ministry of Justice to ensure full accountability.
“The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reaffirmed the continuous dedication of the Force to intensifying the fight against all forms of cybercrime. He emphasised that the conviction sends a strong message to both local and international cybercriminal networks that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for criminal enterprises.
“The Force assures members of the public that it will continue to deploy cutting-edge technology, international collaboration, and diligent investigative processes to dismantle organised cybercrime groups. Further updates on the ongoing prosecutions will be provided as the cases progress in court”.
After months of fleeing abroad to evade arrest, the founder, The Turn of Mercy Church, Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele (alias Abbas Ajakaiye), has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for masterminding shipments of illicit drugs into Nigeria.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, broke the news yesterday.
In a statement, he said Adefolusho was arrested at his church at Okun Ajah, Ogombo, Lekki, Lagos on August 3 by the agency’s officers who waited for him from morning till evening to conclude his service before stepping into the church premises.
Babafemi said the arrest came after he had evaded arrest twice and fled to Ghana to hide since June when operatives started trailing him following the seizure of two shipments of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis linked to him.
The spokesman said the first seizure of 200kg of the psychoactive substance was made at Okun Ajah beach on June 4, this year while another consignment of 700kg of same substance was recovered from his delivery van on July 6.
Babafemi said the suspect admitted ferrying the illicit consignments through the waterways from Ghana into the country, adding that he had fled to the West African country to hide after he escaped arrest twice.
Babafemi added that, in another operation in Lagos, NDLEA’s operatives last Thursday raided an apartment at Kishi House 11 Layi Ajayi Bembe Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi where they arrested a suspect Benjamin Udo Ukoh and recovered 32 pouches of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis with weighing 15.63kg.
It also stated: “In Nasarawa State, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 9th August recovered a large consignment of skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 3,093 kilograms from the trio of Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny, 51; Okem Raphael, 33, and Chekwube Odo, 25, at New Karu area of the state.
“While 29-year-old Nura Yahaya was nabbed at Geza, Kumbotso, Kano State with 639 blocks of skunk weighing 359kg on Friday 8th August, another suspect Umar Adamu Umar, 27,was taken into custody on Wednesday 6th August by NDLEA officers after seizing 9kg of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis from him on Zaria-Kano Road, Kano.
“In another interdiction operation in Kano, 20,000 pills of tramadol and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection were recovered from a suspect Usman Musa, 30, at Gadar Tamburawa on Zaria-Kano Road on Friday 8th August.
A raid at an uncompleted building at Tudun Wadan Pantami in Gombe town, Gombe State on Friday 8th August led to the recovery of 550, 266 pills of opioids mainly tramadol while a suspect Usama Isah was arrested.
An alleged notorious terror commander Amirul Fiya (alias aka Abu Nazir) has been killed during operations by troops of 3 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Rann Kala in Balge Local Government Area, Borno State.
Fiya’s body was one of three the troops discovered after a gun duel with Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP/JAS) terrorists on August 7, who were attacking the community.
In a statement, the acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Onyinyechi Anele, said the troops at first light, discovered blood trails at the scene, indicating other terrorists escaped with injuries.
She said the operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, one unexploded ordnance, two rocket-propelled grenades, and other items.
“In a follow-up on 9 August, troops, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force/Hybrid Force, discovered another terrorist body and recovered one QJC 88-barrel gun, one AA gun tripod, 20 rounds of 12.7 x 108mm ammunition, a backpack, and a bicycle,” she said.
In Zamfara State, Anele said troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 2 responded to report on terrorist activities on Gusau–Kaura Namoda Road in Unguwar Sariki Musulmi, Kaura Namoda Local Government on August 8, which forced the criminals to flee abandoning two kidnapped victims that were rescued and reunited with their families.
“Similarly, in Ebonyi State on 9 August 2025, troops of 24 Special Engineer Regiment intervened in a communal crisis between Iyimagwu and Ekpomaka communities in Ikwo LGA. The troops came under fire from an abandoned building and responded decisively, neutralising one armed criminal.
“The operation yielded the recovery of one G3 rifle, 50 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 16 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and four hand grenades.
“These successes underscore the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to defend the nation’s sovereignty, protect law-abiding citizens, and deny criminal elements the freed
The Adamawa State Government has commenced distribution of relief materials to 4000 households affected by the recent flood in the state capital, Yola.
The relief materials were donated by the government as well as First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, North East Development Commission (NEDC) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The materials were on Saturday simultaneously distributed to beneficiaries at separate collection points, including Digital Centre, Ahmadu Ribadu College, Lamido Zubairu College and Aliyu Mustapha College, all in Yola South local government area where the flood of about 10 days ago was most severe.
Adamawa Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, who flagged off the distribution, cautioned beneficiaries against sale of the assorted materials.
She said: “The items are meant for families to cushion the effects of the flood. Government will not take it easy with any person selling the relief items.”
Items distributed includes bags of of rice, bags of maize, cartoons of spaghetti, cartoons of seasoning cubes,, cartoons of tomato paste, kegs of vegetables oil and bags of iodized salt
Non-food items shared were plastic cups, plastic spoons, children wears, nylon mats, blankets and mattresses
Outraged residents condemn indulgence in new substance
Experts identify health implications, proffer remedies
The consumption of ‘Jabo’, a new narcotic drug made from a combination of cannabis sativa and other hard substances, is growing among the youth in Yewa, a part of Ogun State that shares border with the Republic of Benin. KUNLE AKINRINADE reports that the development has raised public concerns in that part of the Southwest state.
Dusty paths led to a noisy rendezvous of revelers in the Agosasa area of Ipokia Local Government Area, Ogun State as nightfall set in on July 15, 2025. Fuji music and nerdy street pop songs from different artistes blared from big speakers mounted at the corners of the backstreet lounge. Revelers chorused the lyrics loudly and gyrated in frenzy.
But a queer atmosphere took over after a binge of concoction called Jabo (the Yoruba word for ‘drop dead’). The drink was poured from a big yellow plastic keg into cups and served for free by a petite dark lady holding a tray as people jostled to have their share of the drink that looked strange to the reporter.
The men caressed their disposable cups like new-found lovers and launched into conversations around sex, business, nostalgic encounters and communal issues. And barely half an hour later, some of those who gulped the mixture slumbered on the seats one after the other.
By quarter past 8pm, the reporter counted no fewer than 15 young men deep in slumber on their seats, and many others on the floor to the mockery of others at the party.
Jabo, a popular party drug cocktail, is a powerful mixture of hard drugs, local and foreign alternative medicines, has two variants. The first and the more popular is a combination of cannabis sativa, a local brand of stout liquor, tin milk, cough syrups, local gin, herbal gin and tramadol. The mixture contains no less than 60 per cent cannabis sativa, which is dropped into a container before other substances are added.
The other variant is a combination of cannabis and tramadol flavoured with a popular beverage. When the mixture is ready, ice blocks are added to make it cold and appealing to consumers. But the substance has a gripping effect on consumers, and such was the case at the aforementioned event, where Jamiu Kosebinu gulped two cups of while wriggling to the music of street pop crooner, Portable, on the dance floor.
Minutes later, Kosebinu staggered and slurred incoherently before collapsing in a heap on the floor where he had danced and jumped earlier. His friends tried in vain to wake him with a sprinkle of water. He was way deep in sleep with his hands folded on his chest.
When the intervention failed, his friends took the decision to ferry him on their back into a vehicle parked nearby and continued in their reveling.
Kosebinu, a tall, dark Lagos-based entrepreneur with broad shoulders, was a victim of conspiracy by his circle of friends. He was in the town to take part in the house warming ceremony organised by a friend when some of his childhood friends organised an after party at the lounge.
He was said to have boasted that no substance could cause him to fall or make him misbehave in public, consequent on which his friends vowed he would go down or misbehave if he tasted Jabo, a new brand of party drug. So, his friends handed him Jabo to prove a point, as revealed by one of them who mocked him while others tried to lift him into the car.
One of his friends, Alimi Ishau, said: “He had boasted that no hard substance could sedate or make him high and misbehave in the public.
“We warned that if he tasted Jabo, it would not take an hour before he either collapsed or become incoherent.
“What he was used to in the Agege area of Lagos State where he resides is different from what we have here.
“The concoction contains a special brand of cannabis made in Ghana. The cannabis has no odour and could shake a giant.”
Earlier on Thursday, July 17, at Ajegunle, a rustic community a few kilometres away from the Idiroko Customs border area, a similar incident was enacted in a house party meant to celebrate the birthday of the son of a community leader.
As early as 12pm, guests had begun to troop into the venue. A disk jockey (DJ) ensconced on the foyer of the imposing mansion situated on two plots of land as early arrivals awaited the return of the parents of the new born who had gone to a church for the dedication of the baby.
By 2.30pm, the mood changed as as the couple stepped out of their car into the embrace of family members, friends and associates who had turned out to celebrate with them. Then they clinked glasses in cheers and erupted in loud felicities as small chops were served.
The party went smoothly until about 4pm when a male guest beckoned to a young man named Abu garbed in Ankara fabric. He handed Abu a wad of naira notes and spoke into his right ear in a hush tone that suggested he did not want the people around to know what he was sending the boy to buy for him.
About 40 minutes later, Abu returned with a black cellophane and motioned to the male guest to come see what he got for him before moving to a corner of the venue where he unpacked the items one after the other. It turned out that the items were Jabo’ingredients.
A few minutes later, the liquid substance was ready. But this time, unlike the one served at the Agosasa lounge, it was the variant prepared with a popular beverage, which is regarded as more dangerous. Thereafter, it was served with ice cubes in red disposable cups.
Within minutes, the substance unleashed its venom on the guests that took it. One of them, slurred and railed at a guest condescendingly, resulting in a spat and a fight that destroyed the jubilant mood at the party. Chairs became missiles which the feuding parties and other outraged guests hauled at one another.
”I knew that it was going to result into this. I warned them not to mix the nonsense they called Jabo with this party.
“The guy that triggered the altercation was high on Jabo. The moment he stepped on the guests as he staggered, I knew there would be trouble.
Jabo is a dangerous cocktail disguised as drink to lure party goers and young men into consumption of hard drugs. In the end, they become useless and hopeless. It works like Colorado or skushi and drains them physically and mentally.
“You can see that the young man that caused the fight slurred and hallucinated even when he was being reprimanded by the guest he stepped on, who landed him deafening slaps before his friends attacked the guest,” a guest identified simply as Abimbola said.
Similar scenarios in neighbouring communities
Like Agosasa, Idiroko and Ajegunle in Ipokia council area, many youths in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area are also hooked on Jabo. On July 19, for instance, a horde of youths nestled around some shops at the Customs junction in Imeko.
As gathered by the reporter, the young men are accustomed to hanging out at the joint on weekends. But the happy-go-lucky fellows are not only binge on beer and alcoholic beverages, Jabo is at the top of their list of favourite drinks, and they had it to the fullest as nightfall set in amid blaring music from wireless music player.
The mode of the night fun changed when some of them started hallucinating, losing balance and collapsing. One of them held down from stumbling was given milk, apparently to neutralise the impact of the party drug but remained motionless as he stared into space clutching a tin of milk.
”We are used to scenes like this,” Kayode, a bystander, said.
“These youths don’t have any iota of shame or understanding of the adverse consequences of what they are drinking,” he added.
A community leader, Pa Jacob Kushoro, lamented the craze for Jabo by youths in the Yewa area of Ogun State. “I don’t know what these boys see in the dangerous drink called Jabo”, he said.
“The craze for the drink is not restricted to Imeko; it is everywhere in Yewaland.
“Those who indulge in it are unconsciously ruining their lives to the indifference of parents, community leaders and concerned authorities.”
A disturbed resident of Idiroko, Hafsat Eyiowun, told our reporter the devastating toll on the health of young people who indulge in the consumption of Jabo, saying: “I know a boy who lost his senses from Jabo consumption.
“This particular boy works in a filling station. He was introduced to the substance as a ‘feel good’ drink and he became addicted to it.
“He got high on it all the time and misbehaved to the point that he lost his job at the petrol station.
“Now, he is battling with a mental breakdown at a hospital in Lagos where his family members took him for treatment after his condition worsened and defied cure.”
Ingredients available in neighbourhoods
The ingredients combined to produce Jabo, according to Alimi Yinusa, a resident of Iyana Ago area of Idiroko, are available within the neigbourhoods.
According to him, the cannabis, which comes in form of capsule, is sold by peddlers at backstreet facilities only to recognised patrons.
“The only thing I can tell you is that the main or major ingredient, cannabis, is sourced from peddlers who also get their stuffs from major outlets run by a kingpin in the Agosasa axis.
“If you go there, they won’t sell to you, and you might even be attacked because you are a stranger.
“Besides constant raids and seizures, law enforcement agencies like customs and NDLEA are not proactive enough in stopping the sale of cannabis and drugs like tramadol, codeine, and other ingredients used in preparing the mixture.
“This is because of the closeness of this community to Benin Republic where they are sourced and brought into our communities in Ipokia Local Government Area through porous and unidentified border paths by notorious drug rings run by some kingpins.
“However, those who buy from the kingpins are the ones peddling it around Idiroko and its environ.
“I stopped taking Jabo after it turned me into a nuisance the very first time I was introduced to it by some friends at a party in Ilashe.
“I misbehaved and slept for hours at the party, mocked by people who later relived my despicable bevahiour after taking the substance.”
Health consequences of Jabo consumption, by experts
Health experts warned that indulging in mixture of sundry drugs like Jabo poses threat to the health of youths who consume the drink. According to them, many youths consume harmful drinks like Jabo without knowing that it has dangerous and fatal consequences on their lives.
A pharmacist, Adeolu Christopher, who described Jabo as a variant of opoiods, said: ”Mixing multiple substances to make a happy, relaxed or high feeling drink like the one called Jabo comes with a transient happy feeling that will eventually give way to serious impairment of the consumer’s health.
“For example, mixing cannabis, tramadol, alcohol and other hard drugs together would result in great health impairment of people, who take the drink.
“Although a concoction like Jabo can sometimes be flavoured to make it acceptable, the hidden fact is that it is not a drink that is good or fit for human consumption.
“Tramadol belongs to the category of opium drug that interacts with human brain and disrupts the central nervous system.
“The effects can be gradual or slow and could come in form of slow movement or slur speech, mood swing, blurry vision, hallucinations, distorted response(s), panic, faster heartbeat, mental breakdown or psychosis, aggravated blood pressure, dry mouth, sedation, increased appetite, blood-shot eyes and respiratory problem.
“And all these impairments can be short-lived or prolonged for as short as four hours and as long as more than ten hours.”
Speaking on the matter, a medical doctor based in the United States of America, Benedict Akosa, noted that most youths who take drugs like Jabo do so unknowingly. He explained that many were lured into taking the drink as an escape measure from life challenges.
Akosa said: “Many who take drug mixtures like Jabo indulge in it unknowingly.
“They are usually influenced into it by colleagues, friends and family members as a feel good drink at parties or to escape from life challenges like unemployment, rejection, marital problems, among others.
“However, concoction drinks like ‘jabo’ are a combination of heavy metals that can damage major organs of the body.
“The kidney, the liver and the heart can be damaged over time as result of consumption of mixtures like this.
“The brain can also be damaged or render useless or inactive.
”In a nutshell, taking party or recreational drug in form of a mixture like Jabo, which appears to me like the Nigerian version of skushi, often leads to seizures, hallucination, mental disorder and ultimately- death, because they can lead to organ failure.”
To remedy the situation, Akosa called for concerted efforts by community leaders, concerned government agencies and law enforcement agencies to curb the increasing consumption of such drugs in Nigeria.
”The solution is not a one-size-fits-all thing. The remedy is to synergise efforts in advocacy to change the mindset of the young consumers of the mixture through proactive campaign not just in Ogun communities but in the nooks and crannies of the Nigerian society.
“The National Orientation Agency fits the bill in this regard and shouldn’t limit its campaign activities to the city alone. The awareness should be expanded into rural communities where there is growing abuse of hard drugs.
”This means that law enforcement agencies like the police force, the Nigerian Customs Service and the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) must come together to develop a workable strategy to interdict young persons who are consuming the mixture and prevent them from gaining access to these illicit drugs they use in preparing the drink.”
Christopher echoed Akosa’s suggestions on solution to the problem, asking for joint efforts to stem the tide.
He said: “We have a big problem on our hand as country with regards to the rate at which young men and women consume illicit mixtures like the one you described as Jabo.
“And for crying out loud, young people are the bedrock of productivity and development of any country. Hence, there should be a deliberate action on the part of Nigerian authorities to curb this menace because of its backlash on health and growth of the nation.
“For me, I believe the government and its agencies have a lot to do in terms of mindset orientation of youths to run away from consumption of drugs presented as mixture or drink.
“The advocacy should not be limited to the youth alone but concerted efforts should be made to also include parents in the orientation of their children.
”Lastly, there should be facilities to handle addicts and curb addiction.
“It is not just enough to embark on campaign to dissuade youths from taking the mixture, government should also provide public facilities duly manned by competent personnel to engage in continuous rehabilitation like counselling, monitoring and evaluation of youths battling with addiction to drug mixture like Jabo to enable them overcome addiction and maintain healthy lifestyle to forestall serious health problems as they advance in age.
“It will be an exercise in futility for law enforcers to be reactionary in curbing consumption of the illicit cocktail by arresting and seizing the substance from youths who indulge in it.
“Further initiatives should be fashioned out to cut off the supply chain and stop the syndicate behind the importation or shipment of cannabis and other materials into the country.
“After all, patronage can only thrive when there is constant supply of the materials used in the production of the drug cocktail.’’
Muslims have been urged to take estate planning as both a religious obligation and a tool to prevent post-death disputes, at the Quarterly Da’wah Workshop hosted by the Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU).
The workshop, held at the Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla Multipurpose Hall, Lekki Central Mosque Complex, drew Islamic scholars, legal and financial experts, and members of the Muslim community to discuss the theme: “Shari’ah-Compliant Trust and Inheritance Planning: A Necessity for Muslims.”
Delivering the lead paper, the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu, described inheritance planning as a moral and religious duty enjoined by Islam. Citing the unpredictability of death, he said Muslims should not delay writing a will, referencing the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) instruction that no Muslim with assets should sleep two nights without one.
“You don’t know how, when, or where you’ll die; but you must be prepared,” Sheikh Jamiu said, warning against tampering with the fixed shares of inheritance as outlined in the Qur’an.
He identified key Islamic estate planning tools, including Wasiyyah (will), Hibah (lifetime gift), and Waqf (endowment), and urged Muslims to verify the authenticity of financial products labeled as Islamic. He also stressed that inheritance goes beyond property and includes raising righteous children.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, endorsed the use of trusts, noting that they are more effective than wills in avoiding conflicts.
“I’ve been involved in several legal battles over wills involving some of the wealthiest Nigerians. The more money there is, the greater the fight,” he said.
Other experts on the panel addressed key issues on Islamic inheritance. Dr. Ridwan Oguntade affirmed that Muslims can include non-heirs in their wills, while Mr. Adeseewo Agunbiade explained the strategic difference between waqf and hibah. “The purpose behind your plan determines your tool,” he said.
Panelist Mr. Mustakeem clarified that wills and trusts are not mutually exclusive but complementary.
“A well-structured estate plan should ideally include both,” he said, noting that a will can direct a trust to settle debts or distribute specific gifts.
The Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Ibadan North (Anglican) Diocese, Right Reverend Williams Aladekugbe, on Friday condemned what he called the desperation shown by politicians jostling for elective positions ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said a politician bargaining for only one term in office is a sign of desperation, adding that such will not work.
This is because he also faults leaders carrying plates, serving food at parties, as a height of desperation that will not work on Nigerians.
The cleric said it is very disturbing that while the President Bola Tinubu-led government needed to settle and address the myriad of problems facing the country, some politicians have been talking about 2027, describing such as a disgrace to governance, abuse of the people’s mandate and reckless disregard for the concerns of the people.
He gave the charge while delivering his sermon at the final farewell service of the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
According to the cleric, as far back as less than two years into President Tinubu’s office, some politicians have been talking about 2027 instead of focusing on the delivery of good governance, noting that it is even worse now.
Archbishop Aladekugbe said, “The hardship in our country continues unabated. The time for mass employment programmes for the teeming population of our youths cannot be later than now.
“Unfortunately, while our government seems to have stabilised the economy, the increase in tariffs on telecommunications at a time when prices have skyrocketed and when the poverty level has increased, can only be seen as insensitive and a signal of disconnect with the masses.
“It is very disturbing that while our government needed to settle and address the myriad of problems facing our country, some politicians have been talking about 2027. This is a disgrace to governance, abuse of the people’s mandate and reckless disregard for the concerns of the people.
“As far back as less than two years of President Tinubu in office, shameless politicians have been talking about 2027 instead of focusing on the delivery of good governance. And now it is even worse.”
He said further, “Let me say that any politician bargaining for only one term is a sign of desperation. It will not work. It is also a sign of desperation when you see leaders in their own rights carrying plates, serving food at parties. All these will not work.
“We plead with elected politicians to do the electorate good by concentrating on governance and service to the people, and delay political intrigues and the like till the last year of their term.
“Regrettably, Nigeria has come to be characterised by insecurity, and the lives of people are not worth anything anymore. The rate at which souls are being lost in various parts of our country, due to the activities of bandits, herdsmen, and other nefarious activities, must be a matter of concern to every sane person.
“Whether it is in the North, Middle belt, or the South, killings and waste of innocent lives appear to be one common denominator apart from poverty.”
He appealed to President Tinubu to do more to stop the killings and insecurity across the country.
“We appeal to our government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu to rise to the occasion and stop the killings. The figures that we now have of lost lives are very disturbing to read.
“The primary duty of the government is to protect the citizens. We plead with our government to invest in intelligence reporting, equipping the security outfits, and equipment that will enhance surveillance on the activities of these evil men all over the country. The Church shall continue to uphold all levels of government in her prayers.”
British-Nigerian filmmaker, tech consultant, and social advocate, Funmi Ogidan, popularly known as Ogidan’Birin, has empowered over 200 women and teenage girls across eight quarters in Akungba-Akoko through her Widows and Daughters Empowerment Network (WADEN).
The initiative, themed “Empower One. Transform Generations,” reached beneficiaries in Ibaka, Akua, Ilale, Igbelu, Okusa, Akunmi, Okeke, and Araromi. It focused on building resilience, fostering self-reliance, and providing tools for personal and economic transformation.
Speaking at the event, Ogidan’Birin emphasised WADEN’s mission to support widows and teenage girls through mentorship, vocational training, and the provision of start-up kits to launch small businesses and restore financial independence.
“When you empower a woman, you empower an entire community,” she said. “Akungba is home, and it was only fitting that this year’s celebration included giving back to the very people who shape its strength.”
Community leaders, traditional rulers, and youth representatives commended the initiative, describing it as life-changing for many families in the area.
The WADEN outreach was a major highlight of this year’s Akungba Day celebrations, reinforcing the impact of purpose-driven events that blend culture with compassion.
The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have shut down an illegal quarrying site operating within the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Thirteen suspects have been apprehended in connection with the unlawful activities and have been charged to court, pending formal arraignment.
The operation, which was carried out as part of ongoing national efforts to sanitise the mining sector and protect critical national assets, marks another decisive step in the government’s crackdown on illegal mining across the country.
According to the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, the suspects were found to be working for a company which had allegedly occupied and exploited a quarry lease belonging to another licensed mining company for over seven months without legal backing.
“This operation underscores our commitment to zero tolerance for illegality in the Nigerian mining sector,” ACC Onoja said. “We will not allow any individual or company to take the law into their own hands or deprive legitimate operators of their lawful rights.”
The Mining Marshals, a specialised unit of the NSCDC, were recently commissioned to tackle the widespread issue of illegal mining in Nigeria — a menace that has contributed to revenue loss, environmental degradation, and community conflict in various parts of the country.
The unit has also been tasked with enforcing compliance with mining regulations and ensuring that all mining activities across the federation are conducted within the bounds of the law.
The Mining Marshals are motivated by the tacit guidelines of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, whose strategic leadership continues to guide the Corps’ operations in curbing illegalities across critical national sectors.
The shutdown of the Kuje site comes amid rising concerns over the growing number of unlicensed and unregulated mining operations, particularly in remote or peri-urban areas where enforcement has been traditionally weak.
The site in question had been operating without proper documentation, safety protocols, or environmental safeguards, thereby posing a threat to both the environment and public safety.
Speaking further, ACC Onoja warned all mining operators to ensure full compliance with existing mining and environmental laws or risk facing the full weight of the law.
“Let this serve as a warning to all illegal operators. The era of impunity in the mining sector is over. We will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute all violators, no matter how remote or discreet their operations may be,” he said.
The 13 suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court in the coming days as investigations continue.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to restoring order, transparency, and accountability to Nigeria’s mining landscape as part of the broader national agenda to diversify the economy and enhance internal security.
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B, have intercepted a tanker truck used to smuggle 250 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed in the tank compartment.
The vehicle, seized on the Yauri-Kontagora Road in Kebbi State on August 3, was escorted to Kaduna where an examination uncovered the hidden contraband, with a duty-paid value of N20.51 million.
Comptroller of the Unit, A. M. Alkali, praised the officers for their professionalism, noting that the operation was based on intelligence.
He reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to deploying proactive surveillance and intelligence strategies to check illicit trade and safeguard local industries.
Alkali also expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his support, while hailing President Bola Tinubu for extending the CGC’s tenure — a move he described as well-deserved and reflective of Adeniyi’s visionary leadership.
Also, the Unit has handed over seized medicaments and chemicals to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in Kaduna.
According to the Comptroller, the items handed over included 58,740 sachets of 100mg and 50mg unregistered drugs and 27 cartons of Analgin injection. NESREA received three sacks containing 990 pieces of a banned chemical known as Riodin.
Alkali further said the collaboration with sister agencies demonstrates Customs’ holistic approach to enforcement and its resolve to protect public health and the environment.
He called on Nigerians to support the Customs in securing the borders and curbing smuggling.
The Comptroller assured that his men would not relent in enforcing customs laws and contributing to national economic growth through sustained anti-smuggling campaigns.
