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The Nigerian Army said on Sunday that its troops in operations conducting anti-oil theft operations have destroyed 20 illegal refining sites, arrested 11 crude oil thieves and confiscated 190,000 litres of Stolen products.
Troops also destroyed 31 boats used for siphoning and transporting stolen products while seven (7) vehicles intercepted with over 190,000 litres of stolen products were recovered during the operation.
A statement by the Army said troops in collaboration with other security agencies, achieved the fear “after scaling up ongoing strangulation operations aimed at dismantling the network of criminal enterprise run by oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
It said the operations were conducted from 30 December 2024 to 5 January 2025.
“In a deliberate operations conducted around Oando wellhead at Benkrukru at Okordia general area in Yenagoa, Local Government Area (LGA), Four oil sewage were discovered.
“The sewage were filled with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Additionally, one sunction machine and about 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) packed in sacks were recovered.
“Relatedly, at Amalaghakiri general area in Nembe LGA, two illegal refining sites were taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
“While at Oyeregbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site was destroyed with over 1,500 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.
“In Rivers State, around Omoku, troops closed on oil thieves, who fled in disarray on sighting troops.
“Further exploitation led to the discovery of an illegal connection point on Oando Pipeline, around Ebocha with four boats ladened with over 22,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“At Obiafu Oil field, in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, wooden boats and dugout pits stocked with over 8,000 litres of stolen products were handled.
“Around Mgbede, 4 illegal refining sites, five wooden boats, 108 locally made ovens, several tanks with over 31,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
Suspected terrorists have killed the Acting Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Katsina State, Alhaji Amadu Surajo.
The terrorists also killed three other people and injured several others.
The incident occurred in the late hours of Saturday night into the wee hours of Sunday morning when the hoodlums attacked Mai Rana village in Kusada Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the terrorists abducted the first and second wives of the acting chairman, along with one of his daughters, who is an undergraduate at one of the public universities in the country.
A source familiar with the incident, however, said Surajo’s first wife was later released by the hoodlums.
Before his death, Surajo was the state Secretary of MACBAN before he was elevated to Acting Chairman.
His current portfolio came about after the National Vice President of MACBAN, who doubled as Chairman of the association in the state, Munnir Lamido, disappeared mysteriously in June last year.
According to reports, Lamido had left his Katsina residence on June 23 and was travelling to Kaduna State.
He was said to have informed family members by phone that he had stopped in Zaria to eat at a restaurant.
But his whereabouts became unknown after family and friends tried to reach him some hours later; his vehicle and two phones were later recovered along Maraban Jos, just before entering Kaduna town.
He was declared missing by security operatives a few days later, and his whereabouts have remained unknown ever since.
Following Saturday night’s incident, sources said security operatives had been deployed to the community to ensure peace and investigate the incident.
The remains of Surajo and the other deceased persons are expected to be buried later on Sunday morning according to Islamic rites, while the injured have been hospitalized and are receiving treatment.
Though several council areas face security challenges in the state, Kusada Council is not among them.
This has led to speculation from some quarters whether the attack was more than just terrorism or a banditry attack.
However, the spokesperson for the police command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, was yet to respond to inquiries about the incident at the time of the report.
• How Delta, Rivers, A/Ibom, Lagos, Bayelsa raked in N1.8tr
• Allocation grew by 95.49% in two years
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed a total of N5.38 trillion to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between January and December 2024, according to figures obtained by The Nation.
This amount represents an increase of about N1.46 trillion over the N3.92 trillion received by the states and the FCT in the previous year.
The states received a total of N412.09 billion in January; N406.96 billion in February; N454.70 billion in March and N428.24 billion in April.
A total of N463.04 billion got to them in May; N365.81 billion (lowest allocation for the year) in June before going up to N461.98 billion in July and N473.48 billion in August.
Others were as follows: September: N422.86 billion; October: N453.72 billion; November: N490.70 billion and December: N549.79 billion which was the highest allocation for the year.
These variations in allocation were influenced by overall revenue performance and the criteria used by FAAC to calculate the allocations.
In comparison, 2023 allocations were much lower, peaking at N396.21 billion in January and hitting a low of N259.50 billion in April.
The discrepancies highlight improved revenue generation in 2024, driven by the removal of fuel subsidies, increased oil sales and better earnings from non-oil sectors, including taxes and royalties.
Among the states, Delta received the highest allocation in March 2024 with N62.7 billion, followed by Rivers State with N41.7 billion, and Akwa Ibom State with N41.6 billion. The oil-producing states benefit from the derivation principle, which ensures a part of oil revenue goes directly to Niger Delta states.
The increase in allocations is expected to assist state governments in enhancing infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic development. Stakeholders have urged responsible spending to ensure improvement in citizens’ quality of life.
A breakdown of the state by state allocations shows that Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Bayelsa received the highest allocations
Delta got a total of N485bn; Rivers, N384bn; Akwa Ibom, N338bn; Lagos, N321bn and Bayelsa, N293bn.
Other top revenue allotees are: Kano, N166bn; Edo, N124bn; Ondo, N122bn; Anambra, N115bn and Oyo N113bn.
With a total of N5.38 trillion allocated in 2024, experts are optimistic about continued revenue growth into 2025.
Analysts believe that diversifying the economy and improving revenue collection methods could sustain or exceed last year’s accomplishments.
Looking at trends from 2022 to 2024, governmental allocations have significantly increased since June 2023, indicating more effective resource mobilization and equitable distribution of national revenues.
The Federal Government received N3.42 trillion in 2022, N3.96 trillion in 2023 and N4.65 trillion in 2024. Over these two years, it recorded a cumulative increase of 35.84 per cent.
State governments also benefited greatly during this period, receiving N2.75 trillion in 2022, followed by N3.92 trillion in 2023, and N5.38 trillion in 2024, therefore, the state governments received a 95.49 percent cumulative increase of FAAC allocations from 2022 to 2024.
The 774 local governments received N1.995 trillion in 2023 and N2.285 trillion in N3.994 trillion.
The LGAs experienced a 14.51 per cent increase in allocations in 2023 compared to 2022 period, reflecting a steady rise in funds allocated to grassroots governance.
There was a 74.76 per cent increase between 2024 and 2023, which shows a significant boost in revenue directed towards local development efforts.
Interestingly, over the two years (2022 to 2024), LGAs recorded a cumulative increase of 100.26 per cent, doubling their allocation.
Beneficiaries of 13 per cent Derivation Fund were not left out of the surge in FAAC allocations. In 2022, they received N601.049 billion, N454.677 billion in 2023 and N1.135.802 trillion in 2024.
Between 2022 and 2023, a 24.34 percent decrease was observed, reflecting possible fluctuations in oil revenue or derivation parameters. In 2023 and 2024, the allocation surged by 149.84 percent, marking a significant rebound and surpassing the 2022 figure.
From 2022 to 2024, the derivation fund recorded a cumulative growth of 88.93 per cent, emphasising the growing importance of the fund in fostering resource control.
The overall rise in FAAC allocations indicates the Federal Government’s commitment to fair revenue sharing across all levels of government. The increases in funding for states and LGAs reveal efforts to enhance service delivery and local governance.
The surge in these allocations also represents a hopeful trend in Nigeria’s federal revenue generation and distribution. However, it is crucial for state governments to manage these resources effectively and transparently to foster sustained growth and improve the quality of life for all Nigerians.
A Tiny Clique Of Northerners Are Holding Nigeria To Ransom, It’s Time To Wake Up – Fapohunda
AFOLABI
The secretary of the Eminent Elders Forum, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, has accused some few northern elites of holding Nigeria to ransom for over forty years based on tribalism and selfish interests.
Speaking on Sunday on Arise News while discussing the northern opposition to the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu, Fapohunda submitted that the north has taken Nigeria for a ride for too long and it is time to call their bluff.
According to him, the North has forced policies such as federal character and quota system on the southern region while Nigerians from the south have been laid back in making demands.
Fapohuna argued that such policies have favoured the North over the South and only a few elite people in the North are benefitting from the federal policies at the expense of other citizens of the country.
He submitted that it is time for Nigeria to wake up and realize the interests of the South and the North are not in an alliance.
Speaking specifically on the Tax Reform Bills, the Secretary of the Eminent Elders Forum was of the opinion that the proposals can never work because Nigeria is not a unified country and “cannot be unified at all” by a unitary tax system.
He said, “The North, at the flip of a switch, are able to shout Northern interest. Southerners are laid back, hoping that oh, we are civilised, we don’t want to talk about tribalism. Tribalism is at play, we are pretentious about this matter. Look, the North has taken us for a ride for too long, they’ve forced federal character on Nigeria over 40 years. They forced quota system on Nigeria over forty years. Have they benefitted from it? Only the tiny clique in the North is holding the whole country to ransom. It’s enough time for Nigeria to wake up, we are not together, North nor South.
“Now they are talking, the elites, the few elites in the North, as if feeding bottle is about to be removed from their mouth. That’s what they’re doing, they’re shouting, they have formed a league now – League of Northern Democrats. The governor of Bauchi was talking, they won’t be able to pay salaries again, they won’t be able to do that.
“Look, the North has damaged Nigeria fundamentally with this attitude. Who are the Nigerians who are japaing now? They’re Southerners. The South invested in education massively in the 50s and the 60s. The products now have been driven out of Nigeria. Can you find a Fulani man in London or in New York practicing medicine or practicing engineering? It’s the Yorubas, the Igbos, Southerners that are marginalised. It’s time to call the bluff of the North, not because we even support what Tinubu is doing, but we have to converse about Nigeria. Nigeria is not – we are pretentious. Let’s go to the brass tacks. That’s why we are calling for regionalisation, the North is separate from the South, that’s just the truth, unless we are deceiving ourselves.”
“This tax matter will not unite Nigerians. If we concede to the North that they get more VAT, for doing what? They got federal character for forty years, what have they done with it? They got quota for forty years, what have they done with it? They’re just being spoilt, they don’t want to wake up to the reality that they’re not doing well, they’re not performing. And when you compromise, you kill the South. The energy is being sucked out of the South in trying to remedy and carry the North along. We should be tired of carrying them along, in all honesty. Somebody has to call their bluff. There’s no alternative to the South calling the bluff of the North,” he added.
Tinubu Looking In The Wrong Place
Fapohunda urged President Tinubu to focus his energy on other productive issues, arguing that pushing the controversial tax reforms is just a waste of time while other issues remain unattended to.
According to him, tax reform is not the policy that can set Nigeria on the path to greatness.
He said, “The president is not focusing in the right direction. Just one item, one item alone – Inheritance Tax. The North has a different perspective on Sharia. The South-West has different customs. The East has different approach. By trying to do a unitary tax system when we’re all having a different flavour of life, is that not a road to nowhere? On that account alone, I will not really agree on what President Tinubu is trying to do. In all honesty, President Tinubu is focused on this tax matter. That is going to be the mantra of his administration.
“Let’s assume that if the tax bill is passed in the next three, four, five months, what next? Mr President is staking his reputation, his political acumen on the tax bill, but there are many issues he’s supposed to have faced that he’s not talking about. Civil service is blighted. Civil servants are just looking to find a means to survive, they are not operating organically with the government, they are not. Orasanye report, President said he will do it within twelve weeks, he has done nothing about it.”
“In 2023, the president announced a N500 billion agric project, what has happened to it? He didn’t implement it. Now, we have livestock ministry. I know now they are looking for offices in Abuja. When are we going to get the first cow from the livestock ministry? So, overall, the focus on tax bill is totally not what Nigeria should be looking at now. There are more serious fundamental reforms. Tax bill is not the reform that we want. The country has to be reorganised and let all of us live separately, but as good neighbours. We are different, it’s just a fact. We can gloss over it from here to eternity.”
Don’t Be Cocksure
Naija News reports that Fapohunda also advised the President not to be overconfident that if he pushes the tax reform bills through, then every other thing would automatically fall in place.
He advised the President to gauge the feelings of the entire nation and not just stay in Abuja and assume all is going well.
“The President might use all his authority, all the presidential powers to get it through, and then what? What are the two elements in the tax reform? You are considering no tax to the lowest people, 130 million Nigerians who are destitute, then you want to tax the big companies.
“The big companies are folding up, they are leaving Nigeria, they cannot afford diesel to run generators. Even the ones they manufactured, no sales, there’s poor demand. So who will pay the tax? Is it run down companies that will pay the tax? Anybody earning below 70,000, no tax. Okay, so where is the money coming from? And when the money comes, to be spent on what? To be spent on deficit, to be spent on paying back loans that we have taken, that we have exhausted, that we have stolen, is that it?
“What are we going to use the tax for? It’s not tax that we need. Okay, let him get it through, fine, but is that the end of the tunnel? It is not in my opinion. But the president needs to be advised. It’s now almost two years that he’s been in the saddle. It’s time to think. His presidential chat that he had, he was so cock sure of everything, but that’s not the reality at all, he’s not cock sure. This February, it will be two years since he was elected. It is time to just re appraise issues. He’s hanging in the air, we, on the ground, we’re not feeling what he’s trying to do. He might be well meaning, but he’s not in the right direction at all.”
“We cannot be united when we’re not equally yoked. We’re unequally yoked, we cannot be united at all. But let everybody just live according to his own worldview, then the temperature will come down. But trying to stay in Abuja and put a package together for the whole country – from the North West to the South East, from the North East to the South West, it’s not going to work,” Fapohunda said.
BUA Group, an industrial conglomerate, has denied claims that its 200,000 barrels per day refinery in Akwa Ibom is 90 percent completed.
In a statement on Sunday, the management said the construction is progressing steadily.
“Whilst the refinery is not at 90% completion, we are however on track to meet our delivery timelines in collaboration with our partners,” the group said.
“This BUA Refinery & Petrochemicals project represents a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s refining capacity and energy security.
“Our other energy projects, including the construction of a mini-LNG plant and several new hybrid power plants across the country to add additional capacity to our over 1,000MW installed captive power generation capacity, are also progressing rapidly.
“The public is advised to verify any news through our official channels and platforms so as not to be misled by mischievous persons.”
BUA Group also said over $3.5 billion worth of mega industrial projects have been completed within the past decade.
“At BUA, we remain committed to transparency and excellence. As we have consistently done with over 12 of our completed mega industrial projects worth over $3.5 billion in the past 10 years, we will continue to keep you updated with verifiable and accurate information only where necessary, and as milestones are achieved,” the company said.
BUA Group appreciated the public’s interest and enthusiasm for the refinery.
Three Nigerian women, who were arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia have been discharged and acquitted after spending 10 months in detention.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development on Sunday, noting the importance of the diplomatic engagements that led to the women’s release.
The women—Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi—were arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah.
Their detention followed the arrest of two Nigerians who were found in possession of cocaine capsules weighing a total of 1.69 kilograms.
The women were held on suspicion of aiding and abetting the trafficking of narcotics.
The case, which garnered attention in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, was resolved following extensive diplomatic and legal efforts.
The women were handed over to the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah after their acquittal. They were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, and are currently undergoing immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that three Nigerian nationals, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport Madinah, Saudi Arabia, has been released after spending 10 months in detention.
“The Ministry wishes to recall that the trio’s arrest attracted much attention in the Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Their successful release was achieved after prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements, which culminated in their discharge and acquittal, as well as subsequent handover to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jedda.
“The ladies were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Honourable Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah and currently awaiting relevant immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families,” the statement read.
A loan app, Delinquent Loans, has sparked controversy after sharing photos of 87 debtors online in a bold attempt to recover unpaid loans.
The incident came to light through a series of TikTok videos posted by the app.
Across three separate videos, the platform uploaded pictures of the debtors, each captioned, “Please settle your loans,” as a public reminder to repay their debts.
The videos, which began trending on Saturday, drew widespread attention and mixed reactions from social media users.
Many people used various platforms to express their opinions on the app’s unconventional approach.
A user, King, who identifies as #KingSuleiman27 on X (formerly Twitter), commented, “Has anyone seen the video posted by a loan app featuring pictures of 87 debtors owing them? You better check it out to make sure your picture isn’t among them ooo!”
Prince Olugbade, who tweets as #latmos997, wrote, “As they don post their pictures, make them go collect the money from the general public wey view am, or post am for YouTube use the views settle the debt.”
FaVōuR™, who identifies as fhavourabia, argued, “Actually, if we have a functioning government, these people should be sued for defamation.”
Agbalaka, who identifies as #CroBender, noted, “Taking money from shylocks comes with regrettable consequences.”
Other users highlighted the consequences of defaulting on loans.
Smiles Ebony, who tweets as #smileebony, explained, “There’s something all these people don’t understand. After you default on any loan, you will be reported to the credit bureau, and this will affect anyone.”
Emma, who identifies as #Emmabest, raised concerns, stating, “Most of these persons are not aware of this loan. Suddenly, they receive a call asking them to pay back the money they borrowed.”
The loan app’s public shaming strategy has sparked a debate about privacy, ethics, and the legality of such practices. While some support the need for debt recovery, others criticise the method as an infringement on individual rights.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a woman, Khadija Ali, for allegedly abandoning her newborn baby.
Ali was reported to have dumped the baby along a bush path near Crush Rock, behind the uncompleted Red Bricks Market in Mpape, Abuja.
A statement released on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, revealed that the baby, believed to be just a day old, was discovered at about 10am on January 3, 2025 after police operatives from the Mpape Division’s Juvenile and Women Care Section responded to a distress call.
Adeh stated that the infant, wrapped in a cloth, was rescued and taken to the Mpape Primary Health Care Centre for medical evaluation.
She added that, following an examination, medical personnel confirmed the child was in stable condition.
The statement partly read, “On 3 January 2025, at about 10:00 a.m., police operatives from Mpape Division’s Juvenile and Women Care Section responded to a distress call and found the baby wrapped in a cloth. The child was promptly rescued and taken to Mpape Primary Health Care Centre, where medical evaluation confirmed the baby is in stable condition.”
Adeh disclosed that acting on a tip-off from concerned residents, police apprehended Khadija Ali, who confessed to abandoning her baby.
“Following a tip-off from the community, the baby’s mother, Khadija Ali, was arrested. During interrogation, she confessed to abandoning the baby, citing her inability to care for the child following her husband’s abandonment,” Adeh said.
Condemning the incident, Adeh described it as a grave violation of the rights of the child.
She added that Ali would be charged to court for allegedly violating Sections 14 and 16 of the Child Rights Act, 2003.
“The FCT Police Command vehemently condemns this act of child abandonment and reassures the public of its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
“The rescued baby will be handed over to the Department of Social Welfare for proper care, while the mother will face prosecution according to the provisions of Sections 14 and 16 of the Child Rights Act, 2003, upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has expressed confidence that Nigeria would soon experience peace after the church’s 100-day fast.
His official Facebook page shared a video of him making the declaration on Sunday midnight.
In the video, he said that the fasting would commence on January 11 and end on April 21, 2025.
It is themed RCCG FAST 2025.
Adeboye spoke during the first Holy Ghost Night of the new year, held in the early hours of Saturday, January 4.
The RCCG General Overseer outlined the church’s focus for the 100-day fast, noting that the first 30 days would be dedicated to praying for Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Adeboye urged individuals over 70 to refrain from participating in the fast, advising those aged 70 to 80 to break their fast by 3pm and those over 80 by noon.
Those above 90 were encouraged to avoid the fast altogether, as, in his words, they were in the “departure lounge of life.”
Adeboye further emphasised the importance of prayer during the fast, warning that without it, fasting would only amount to a “hunger strike.”
PUNCH Online reports that the pastor in the video said, “Now, we are about to fast. We are starting January 11. 100 days, that’s all. If you fast continuously for 14 days, that will count for 28 days. If you fast continuously for 14 days that, will count for 28 days. If you fast continuously for 21 days, that will count for 63 days.
“Each day will be three if you fast 21 days continuously—that’s 63 years. If you fast continuously for 30 days, that will count for 100 days.
“If you are 70 and over, you are released, but if you want to join, by 3pm, you are released instead of 6pm.
“If you are 80, you can break by noon if you insist on joining us. Don’t let anybody deceive you into thinking I said this because I’m already over 80. I will do the single ones, and in the middle, I’ll do enough continuous fasting to cover for the whole 100 days. I’m not leading from behind and by the grace of God, and in the end, we’ll remain healthy and strong.”
He also urged church members to avoid frivolous conversations throughout the fasting period.
He assured the congregation that 2025 would be a pivotal year when the scripture, “The kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force,” would come to fruition.
[Photos] NDLEA Operatives Arrest Wanted Drug Kingpin, Nollywood Filmmaker, Others In Major Raids Across Nigeria
Admin![[Photos] NDLEA Operatives Arrest Wanted Drug Kingpin, Nollywood Filmmaker, Others In Major Raids Across Nigeria](/media/k2/items/cache/14a6771561e33cba11cd254771b238a1_S.jpg)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted drug kingpin and Lagos socialite, 61-year-old Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
The arrest took place at her mansion in the Okota area of Lagos, following the interception of a truck loaded with illicit drugs handled by one of her staff.
This was disclosed in a statement to Naija News on Sunday by the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi.
Alhaja Ajoke, also known in the drug trade as “Iya Ruka,” has been a notorious figure in the underworld. Despite her prominent social status, her true identity remained a mystery for years. She was listed as a wanted individual by the NDLEA for leading a drug cartel operating out of the Mushin area of Lagos.
The breakthrough occurred on January 1, 2025, when NDLEA operatives intercepted a white Isuzu truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis. The truck was being driven by her employee, 41-year-old Abideen Adio. Following the interception, agents raided her residence at 33 Adebayo Oyewole Street, off Ago Palace Way, Okota, where she was apprehended.
While publicly known as a businesswoman importing fabrics and shoes from China, Alhaja Ajoke secretly operated a large-scale illicit drug trade. She also holds the title of Iyalaje of Blessing Sisters, an influential club of Lagos socialites.
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers arrested US-trained Nollywood filmmaker and motivational speaker Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe on Friday, December 27, 2024, at a hotel in Lekki. This followed the arrest of his associate, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, earlier that day at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja. Ugochukwu was apprehended while retrieving a shipment of 33 parcels of Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 17.30 kilograms. The consignment, concealed in wooden boxes, arrived on December 24, 2024, via a Delta Airlines flight from the United States.
In Kwara State, two individuals were arrested on December 29, 2024, for producing and distributing drug-laced cupcakes. The suspects, 24-year-old graduate Khadijat Abdulraheem and 20-year-old University of Ilorin student Ayomide Morakinyo, were apprehended at Tanke-University of Ilorin Road, Ilorin. A search of their apartment led to the recovery of 42 drug-laced cupcakes.
Meanwhile, an ex-convict, Sodade Sunday Eniola, previously sentenced to four years for drug trafficking in June 2024, was rearrested for passport racketeering by NDLEA’s MMIA Strategic Command. Eniola had initially paid a fine of N750,000 to avoid his prison term. Investigations in December 2024 uncovered 52 passports concealed in shipments headed to Canada, Russia, and other countries. The passports were hidden in shoe soles and food items, leading to the arrest of four syndicate members.
In Rivers State, NDLEA officers, in collaboration with Customs and other agencies, seized 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup from two containers at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex on December 31, 2024, acting on credible intelligence.
In Kano, operatives raided the Mafarki area of Dala Local Government on December 31, 2024, recovering 149,090 pills of tramadol and exol-5 from a local dealer, 45-year-old Ismail Muhammad.
The NDLEA also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaigns, engaging communities, schools, and religious centers across the country. Activities included sensitization programs at Ido-Osi Central Market in Ekiti State and a lecture during Juma’at prayers at Birnin Kudu Central Mosque, Jigawa State.
Commending the efforts of NDLEA commands nationwide, Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) applauded the agency’s balanced approach to reducing drug supply and demand.
See photos from the various Raids below:
[NaijaNews]
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Heavy snow across parts of England was on Sunday set to cause disruption for air travellers with runways closed at airports in Bristol and Liverpool.
The Met Office said Bingley in northern England had seen 12 centimetres (4.7 inches) of snow overnight.
An amber weather warning — the second most serious — for snow and freezing rain was in place for much of Wales, central England and parts of northwestern England.
Higher ground in Wales and northern England was forecast to see up to 30 cm of snow.
Some rural communities above 300 metres (1,000 feet) could be cut off with up to 40 cm of snow, the Met Office said.
Manchester and Liverpool John Lennon airports in northwest England closed their runways on Sunday.
Central Birmingham airport also suspended operations for several hours overnight for snow to be cleared from its runway but said it expected it would be “business as usual” on Sunday morning.
Bristol airport also reopened at around 11 pm (2300 GMT) on Saturday but warned of delays due to aircraft being out of position.
The National Grid said it was working to restore power after outages in central and southwest England and south Wales.
Special tribunal to try Ex-President Yahya Jammeh and cohorts for gross human rights abuse in The Gambia - Femi Falana, SAN
Admin
At the 66th Session of the Authority of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government which held recently in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional bloc approved he establishment of a Special Tribunal for The Gambia to prosecute perpetrators of gross human rights violations. Specifically, the Tribunal is empowered to ensure justice and accountability for gross atrocities and human rights abuse committed between July 1994 and January 2017 under the repressive regime of Ex-President Yahya Jammeh
Among the major crimes allegedly committed by Jammeh’s special killer squad ‘The Jungulars’ are extrajudicial killings, torture and sexual violence, enforced disappearances, fake HIV and Aids treatment causing deaths, and the 2005 massacre of over 50 West African migrants, including 9 Nigerian citizens.
Upon the restoration of democracy in The Gambia, the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was set up by the Adama Barrow administration to investigate all human rights abuses perpetrated against Gambians and other citizens between July 1994 and January 2017.
After two-and-a-half years of public hearings and iinvestigations, the Commission confirmed that not less than 240 persons were found to have been murdered by state agents under his rule. The Government issued a White Paper on the report of the Commission.
This is the first time the ECOWAS has partnered with a member country to establish an international tribunal to prosecute such crimes. The decision of the Ecowas to ratify the Tribunal is a serious warning to other military and civilian dictators that they may be brought to justice for gross human rights abuse. With the establishment of the Tribunal, the demand for the arrest and trial of Mr. Yahya Jammeh by the International Criminal Court will cease.
Since his fall in December 2016, Ex-President Yahya Jammeh has been in exile in Equatorial Guinea, a central African country. He is expected to be brought to The Gambia to face trial for multiple charges of murder, kidnapping, torture, rape and other sexual offences.
On May 15, 2024, the Federal Criminal Court in Switzerland onvicted a former government minister, Ousman Sonko, of crimes against humanity under ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh and jailed him for 20 years, in a historic verdict under universal jurisdiction in Europe. The Court found the former minister guilty on several counts of intentional homicide, torture and false imprisonment.
The Gambian Bar Association under the leadership of Mr. Salieu Taal deserves commendation for collaborating with the Government to institute and operationalize the court. This is a unique example of a Bar Association proactively leading efforts to ensure justice and accountability for victims of gross human rights abuse.
Tax reform: Your govt has displayed troubling disregard for patriotic voices – Northern elders tell Tinubu
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The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of displaying a troubling disregard for patriotic voices against the tax reforms agenda of the administration.
The NEF urged the government to halt the proposed Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly, citing concerns of unfairness and potential economic impact.
A statement issued by the forum’s chairman, A.M. Al-Amin Daggash, recommended that the federal government should suspend the implementation of the reforms to allow for broader consultations with stakeholders. It emphasized the need for a careful and inclusive approach to address concerns and redesign the implementation strategy.
“The rush to implement these tax reforms is unnecessary. Dialogue, quality contributions, and critical inputs from Nigerians should be prioritized before any decisions are made,” Daggash said.
The forum expressed opposition to the proposed increase in Value Added Tax (VAT), warning that it could erode purchasing power, fuel inflation, and increase interest rates.
Daggash noted that such measures should be postponed until the government demonstrates tangible economic recovery.
He also criticized the proposed VAT revenue-sharing formula, describing it as unjust to states where VAT is generated. According to him, VAT should be allocated based on consumption, ensuring fairness to contributing states.
Daggash further accused the Tinubu administration of disregarding dissenting opinions and using coercive tactics to push its policies. “The government has displayed a troubling disregard for patriotic voices and an inclination to suppress opposition,” he said.
While supporting reforms that align with global best practices, the NEF stated that the Tax Reform Bills fail to meet the standard of transparency and inclusivity required for effective policy-making.
The forum called on the federal government to revisit the reforms, ensuring that they reflect the interests and contributions of all Nigerians.
The Lagos State Police Command has clarified that Ayomide Adeleye, who confessed to killing Christianah Idowu, his friend and neighbour, has been charged with murder and remains in custody for the offence.
This clarification was issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in response to reports suggesting that Adeleye was not being held in any Lagos correctional facility.
In his statement, Hundeyin said, “We can confirm that Ayomide Adeleye was charged with murder and was remanded for the same offence.
“It is also a fact that another person bearing the same name was remanded for a different offence and released in April 2024, long before the Ayomide we are talking about committed his offence.
“An outfit that prides itself on investigation should live up to its name. Relying on ‘sources’ rather than the spokesperson of the Correctional Service would land you in this kind of misinformation.”
Adeleye, a 200-level Philosophy student at Olabisi Onabanjo University confessed in September to killing Idowu, a 300-level student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
On November 5, Adeleye appeared before Magistrate Seyi Omodara at the Ogba Magistrate Court.
The magistrate issued a remand warrant, allowing the police to detain him at the Ikoyi Correctional Center pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
[Punch]