Customs seize N3.2bn worth of fake drugs in Lagos - Newstrends
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Customs seize N3.2bn worth of fake drugs in Lagos

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Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi
Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

Customs seize N3.2bn worth of fake drugs in Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has dismantled a smuggling ring that specialised in importing fake and unregistered pharmaceuticals into the country.

This announcement comes barely two weeks after the Comptroller-General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi, displayed 12 containers of seized pharmaceuticals at the same Apapa Customs Command.

Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, the Controller of the command, Babatunde Olomu, announced the seizure of another 6 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals at the port.

According to Olomu, “We recently uncovered six more containers laden with prohibited items, mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals. Other items in the seized containers include cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country. These seizures are worth a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3,247,427,969.00.

Olomu categorised the seized containers into three: “Category 1 – Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT) contained 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet; Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) was laden with 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in the toilet seat. The two seizures have a street value of N2,710,400.00.

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“Interestingly, these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” Olomu said.

The second category is “container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) which contained 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks & 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as Truck Tyres while container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, cyproheptadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.”

Category three, he said, was “Container No. MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. A 2024 model Lexus RX 450h vehicle with chassis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chassis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items, and another container no. SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing, which contravenes the import prohibition law.”

Olomu stressed that the Service is primarily focused on facilitating trade and collecting revenue for the government; the NCS owes the Nigerian citizens the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and well-being.

The Service, Olomu said, is determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchants of death, whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances. We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that were attempting to be smuggled into Nigeria,” Comptroller Olomu posited.

Customs seize N3.2bn worth of fake drugs in Lagos

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Updated: Plateau Under Siege: 10 Killed in Coordinated Bandit Raids

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Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina

Updated: Plateau Under Siege: 10 Killed in Coordinated Bandit Raids

 

Fresh violence rocked Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night, leaving at least 10 people dead in coordinated attacks on Jol and Dorowa Babuje (Rob District) communities. Local leaders confirmed the assaults occurred between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm, sparking fear and outrage among residents.

The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, told reporters that nine people were killed in Dorowa Babuje, while one person died in Jol. He said the attackers arrived on motorcycles from the Manga axis in Jol, despite prior warnings to security agencies about suspicious movements.

Operation Rainbow, Plateau State’s specialized security outfit, was already deployed in Jol and successfully repelled the attackers, helping to limit casualties. In Dorowa Babuje, the assailants were reported to have emerged from the Jong-Wereh area, where they had allegedly been camping for some time. Dalyop praised the swift intervention of the military, which prevented the death toll from rising further.

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Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, did not respond to calls. The Nigeria Police is yet to issue a formal comment on the attacks.

The attacks come amid a disturbing pattern of insecurity in Riyom and surrounding areas, which have recently experienced repeated night raids, ambushes, and community displacement. Residents are now demanding a sustained security presence and long-term peacebuilding measures to prevent further bloodshed.

In the aftermath, youths and community leaders blocked major highways leading to Jos on Monday, protesting the killings and urging authorities to apprehend the perpetrators. Demonstrators warned that they would not clear the roads until action is taken to secure their communities.

The latest violence underscores the urgent need for enhanced security strategies, intelligence-driven policing, and federal-state collaboration to protect residents in Plateau State’s most vulnerable communities.

Updated: Plateau Under Siege: 10 Killed in Coordinated Bandit Raids

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Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

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Police Dislodge Bandit Camps Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has achieved major operational successes in the last two weeks, including the dislodgement of bandit camps, the arrest of suspected gunrunners, and the seizure of illegal firearms and narcotics, officials confirmed at a press briefing on Monday.

State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the operations were intelligence‑led and conducted across Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi, and Kauru Local Government Areas. Several bandit camps were destroyed, with some suspects neutralised during firefights and others escaping with injuries.

He also revealed that the police recovered a range of illegal weapons, including:

  • Three AK‑47 rifles
  • 21 fabricated firearms
  • One sub‑machine gun (SMG)
  • Two English pistols and four fabricated pistols
  • Large quantities of hard drugs

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Muhammad highlighted the arrest of five suspected notorious gunrunners. On February 20, the Anti‑Kidnapping Unit apprehended a suspect from Jaji, Igabi LGA, who had six fabricated AK‑47 rifles, three revolvers, two pistols, seven AK‑47 magazines, and a pair of black Wellco boots. A second suspect from Unguwar Rogo, Jos North, was also taken into custody. Preliminary investigations show the suspects are involved in illegal arms fabrication and supply, fueling criminal activities within and beyond the state.

Earlier, on February 17, police intercepted three suspects at Kasuwan Magani in connection with an illegal arms transaction. Recovered items included one fabricated AK‑47 rifle and a pump-action gun.

The commissioner emphasized that the successes reflect the command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-driven policing aimed at cutting the supply chain of illegal arms and dismantling criminal networks linked to banditry and violent crimes.

Muhammad further appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for leadership support, the Kaduna State Government for logistics assistance, and members of the public for providing credible intelligence, saying:

“Together, we shall ensure that Kaduna State remains secure for all law-abiding citizens.”

Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

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BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal

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Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA)

BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal

A fire outbreak on Monday rocked the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, triggering panic among passengers and airport workers.

The incident, which occurred during peak operational hours, saw thick smoke billowing from a section of the terminal building, forcing travellers and staff to evacuate parts of the facility.

Eyewitnesses said the situation created confusion as passengers hurriedly moved away from the affected area while airport officials directed them to safer locations within the premises.

Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that emergency response teams, including the airport fire service unit, were immediately deployed to the scene.

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According to sources at the airport, firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread to other sections of the terminal. There were no immediate reports of casualties as of press time.

Although the exact cause of the fire had not been officially disclosed, preliminary information suggested it may have originated from one of the service or administrative sections of the old terminal.

The incident reportedly caused temporary disruption to passenger processing and flight operations, with some activities briefly suspended as safety checks were carried out.

FAAN assured passengers and members of the public that the situation had been brought under control and that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage.

Further updates are expected from airport authorities as operations gradually return to normal.

BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal

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