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Customs confiscate N4bn cocaine, arms from South Africa, Canada
Customs confiscate N4bn cocaine, arms from South Africa, Canada
Cocaine, arms and ammunition worth N4.3bn has been intercepted and seized by the Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Command.
According to the service, the seized contraband came from South Africa and Canada
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made disclosure while briefing journalists during the handing over of the seized contraband at the command on Thursday.
He added that the command also intercepted Colorado Indica weighing 32.5kilogram.
“Other seized contraband included 65 packets of Colarado Indica weighing 32.5kg, seized from a 40-foot container with number UACU 534833/6, imported from Canada; 17 packets of a substance weighing 16.690kg confirmed to be cocaine; 151 packets Colarado Indica weighing 107 kg; one piece Gen2 Air Soft Pistol with serial number, 471908, and an empty magazine.
“Forty nine rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition, 197 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, precursor chemicals for the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine, eight bags of tartaric acid weighing 25kg, 100kegs of unspecified substances seized from one 40 foot container with number, MSCU 458177/0 imported from Durban, South Africa.”
“Forty packets of substances weighing 39.7kg confirmed to be Cocaine, 1026 packets weighing 688.2kg confirmed to be Colarado Indica, 2 pistols without serial numbers, one pistol with serial number, AZYSRA6YSO12101181, 3 empty magazines, 275 rounds of 5.5mm M16 Tavor live ammunition, six rounds of 9mm blank ammunition seized from one 40 foot container with serial number, Thru 796807/1 imported from Durban, South Africa were also seized,” Adeniyi said.
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The CGC said that the total seized substances were 56.39kg of cocaine valued at N2.3bn, 955kg of Colorado Indica valued at N1.9bn,” all with street value of N4.3bn.”
“The summary of the weapons seized were five pistols, 445 rounds of live ammunition and several empty pistol magazines.”
Adeniyi emphasised that the collaborative efforts with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency had proved effective in pooling resources and intelligence to safeguard the nation’s borders.
The customs boss reiterated that the seizures had underscoreed a trend wherein criminal networks engaged in collaborative attempts to subvert the competency of the agencies tasked with mitigating the entry of such illicit substances.
“Our actions underscore the persistent challenges posed by sophisticated smuggling networks, emphasising the critical need for enhanced cooperation and advanced strategies to fortify the nation’s borders and preserve the safety and security of its citizens,” Adeniyi said.
He added that due to the threats and collaborative nature of criminal activities, the agency had prioritised strategic partnerships with stakeholders over the past seven months.
Earlier, the Director General of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, while receiving the seized hard drugs, said that the handing over of the illicit drugs by the NCS was a development that lend credence to about the hard work and diligence of security agencies tasked with securing the country’s territory.
Marwa who was represented at the event by the spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, added that the seizure was a testament that just like the airports, the seaports were also secured.
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Gunmen attack Innoson Vehicle showroom in Anambra, abduct three persons
Gunmen attack Innoson Vehicle showroom in Anambra, abduct three persons
Gunmen have abducted three persons from the motorcycle showroom of the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing in Nnewi, Anambra State.
This came during an attack on the showroom on Tuesday evening, according to a police statement issued on Wednesday.
It was not clear on Wednesday the intention of the criminals but the police said they had launched a joint security offensive operation for the rescue of the abducted persons and the arrest of their abductors.
The statement issued by the Anambra State Police Command in Awka confirmed the gunmen attack and the abduction of the three persons at the Innoson showroom.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in the statement said that the incident occurred at the company’s showroom located along Owerri Road, Nnewi at exactly 6:45pm on Tuesday.
He said, “The Police Command is determined and is already working with information obtained from the scene for the ongoing rescue operations.
“The command also urges residents or anyone with useful information that will aid the investigation to come forward to the command headquarters, Awka, or the nearest police station.”
metro
Leadership dispute: NURTW cautions AGF, IGP against aiding Baruwa
Leadership dispute: NURTW cautions AGF, IGP against aiding Baruwa
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has urged the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to resist efforts to drag them into the leadership dispute in the union.
Reacting to a recent letter by lawyer to Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa, calling on the AGF and the IGP to help enforce a judgment, the NURTW claimed that the said judgment was allegedly obtained by misleading the court.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, a National Officer of the NURTW and immediate past National Financial Secretary, Comrade Uwem James said it was prejudicial of the court for Baruwa to seek to enforce a judgment when cases relating to the dispute over the union’s leadership were still pending in court.
James claimed that Baruwa’s tenure, in which he (James) served as National Financial Secretary) lapsed in August 2023, adding that Baruwa was only seeking to come back through the back door by allegedly concocting a case in which he claimed to have got a favourable judgment.
James, who gave a background to the whole leadership dispute in the union, accused the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) of wrongly taking side with Baruwa without seeking to understand the root of the dispute.
He said cases relating to the question of the union’s leadership were still pending before the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja, adding that applications are still before those courts that yet to be determined.
James added: “Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, in defiance of the order of injunction that parties maintain status guo ante belum and the application to restrain him pending in courts, both in Lagos and Abuja, still went ahead to declare himself President at a place in Lafia on 23rd, August 2023 despite all the suits against him.
“As at then, he showed very clear disregard for the rule of law, court order and pending litigations; and now he wants to enforce court orders in his favour, forgetting that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
“We are constrained to bring this matter to the public domain in order to clarify some misconceptions among members of the public due to Alh. Baruwa’s outcry of victimization.
“We know as a common order that ‘it is one who is cheated that cries to the court of public justice for redress,’ but the reverse seems to be the case here, where Alh. Baruwa is the one who had heated but seems to be crying the loudest.
“Be it noted that the two cases filed against Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa are pending before the National Industrial Court cill date.
“It will therefore prejudice us and the path of justice should Alhaji Ibikunle Baruwa be assisted in any way to enforce any court judgment that we believe he fraudulently obtained by challenging the wrong parties on divergent issues, while cases bordering on his election and constitution of the union, which were first raised and filed in court by us are still pending and yet to be determined.
“Moreso, it will render our cases useless and may lead to chaos, with the possibility of breakdown of law and order in the union and society at large,” he said.
James prayed the court, where the cases are pending, particularly the one marked: NICN/UY/27/2023 between Comrade Uwem James & six others vs. NURTW, Tajudeen Baruwa & two others, “to expedite action for a speedy trial and determination of the case, which we believe, will bring a final settlement on this matter.”
metro
Tinubu appoints Jami’u Abiola as Senior Special Assistant
Tinubu appoints Jami’u Abiola as Senior Special Assistant
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Jami’u Abiola, son of the late MKO Abiola, as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), announced the appointment, which takes effect on November 14, 2024.
Akume’s statement, issued by Mr. Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, highlighted that the appointment aligns with the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.
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Before this role, Jami’u Abiola served as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice President.
President Tinubu has instructed Abiola to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leverage his expertise in his new responsibilities.
Jami’u Abiola is the son of Chief Moshood Abiola (MKO), the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and Kudirat Abiola, who was tragically assassinated during her efforts to restore her husband’s mandate.
Tinubu appoints Jami’u Abiola as Senior Special Assistant
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