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Updated: NDLEA arrests Autonation Motors chairman, recovers N8bn Tramadol, two SUVs
Over 13 million pills of Tramadol 225mg worth N8.86bn have been recovered by operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency from a mansion belonging to a billionaire drug baron, Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia, in the Victoria Garden City, Lekki, Lagos.
Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Ugochukwu, who is the Chairman of Autonation Motors Limited, was also picked up in connection with the hard drug.
The NDLEA said its operatives on September 30, 2022 stormed the Plot A45 Road 2 home of the 52-year-old billionaire drug baron in the VGC.
It stated that a search of the expansive mansion led to the discovery of 443 cartons of Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg, which contains 13,451,466 pills of the drug, while some cartons were already burnt in a fire incident in the house same day.
Before his arrest, Ugochukwu, who hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, had been on the agency’s watch list as one of those behind the tramadol drug cartel in Nigeria.
Preliminary investigation showed that he has about six mansions within the VGC, one of which he uses to warehouse the tramadol consignment, while he lives in the one at Plot Z-130, Road 67 and another as his office.
Five exotic vehicles have also been located in two of his mansions, out of which two SUVs, including a bullet proof jeep, have been removed to the agency’s facility.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), commended the officers and men involved in the operation for their diligence, while also appreciating Nigerians for supporting the Agency in its arduous task of ridding the country of the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa said, “I’ll like to reassure Nigerians and other stakeholders wherever they are located across the country and beyond of our preparedness to work with them on this onerous task of saving our people from the drug scourge.
“This partnership is a further warning to the drug barons and cartels that there is no hiding place for them anymore, because we remain on their trail and we’ll always get them.
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Three Ogun varsity students die auto crash
Three Ogun varsity students die auto crash
The Police Command in Ogun State has confirmed the death of three university students in a single-vehicle accident on the Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye Road.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, revealed that the victims were suspected to be students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.
The incident, which occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, involved an Opel car with registration number AAA-126 HE. The vehicle was reportedly driven by Adekunle Adebiyi, a resident of 5 Sunmibare Street, Awa Ijebu.
“The accident was caused by overspeeding, leading to the driver losing control and the vehicle flipping into the bush,” Odutola explained.
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She further disclosed that one male passenger, whose identity is yet to be confirmed but is believed to be an OOU student, died on the spot. His body was taken to the mortuary at General Hospital, Ijebu Ode.
“Two female students from Olabisi Onabanjo University — Dada Oluwanifesimi, 18, and Miracle Daniel, 19 — were rushed to Love and Care Hospital but sadly passed away while receiving treatment,” she added.
The vehicle involved in the crash has been recovered and is now in police custody.
Odutola assured the public that further updates on the tragic incident would be provided and advised motorists to adhere to traffic regulations, particularly during the festive season.
Three Ogun varsity students die auto crash
metro
Dangote, MRS agree to sell petrol at N935/litre nationwide
Dangote, MRS agree to sell petrol at N935/litre nationwide
Dangote Refinery has announced a partnership with MRS to make Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, available at ₦935 per litre nationwide through MRS retail outlets.
This development follows the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) recent move to lower petrol prices below ₦1,000 per litre.
In a statement shared on Saturday via X, the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, praised President Bola Tinubu for the positive impact of the naira-for-crude swap initiative on the Nigerian economy. He noted that the policy had contributed to a reduction in the cost of petroleum products.
“To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.
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“To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre,” the statement read.
Dangote further revealed that the new pricing had already been implemented in Lagos and would be extended nationwide starting Monday.
He urged other oil marketers, including NNPC Retail, to collaborate to ensure Nigerians benefit from affordable and high-quality petrol.
“The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value chain players to deliver high-quality petrol at cheaper prices,” Dangote stated.
“Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high-quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets.”
The naira-for-crude initiative was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in September under President Tinubu’s administration. The policy, which came into effect on October 1, has eased demand for the dollar and helped stabilize the naira, contributing to the reduction in fuel prices.
Dangote, MRS agree to sell petrol at N935/litre nationwide
metro
How Nigerian, 37, was brutally murdered by four South Africans
How Nigerian, 37, was brutally murdered by four South Africans
The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa has condemned the alleged murder of another Nigerian, 37-year-old Julius Chukwunta, by four South Africans.
The native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State was reportedly attacked on December 7, 2024 while driving to his residence.
Chukwunta stayed in Midrand Protea Estate until his death.
NICASA President-General, Dr. Frank Onyekwelu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, said Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.
According to him, after attempting to pass through, he was met with resistance, prompting him to seek help at the security office.
Onyekwelu said: “At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound.
“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.
“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.
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“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.
“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”
Onyekwelu confirmed that the case, reported by Chukwunta’s partner, had been registered at the Midrand Police Station under file number: 262/12/2024.
He said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.
He added: “The court proceedings on December 18, 2024 saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail.
“The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”
Onyekwelu expressed disappointment at the proceedings and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.
He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.
How Nigerian, 37, was brutally murdered by four South Africans
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