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Customs intercepts 8 truck-loads of foreign rice, other items worth N1.76bn

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Customs intercepts 8 truck-loads of foreign rice, other items worth N1.76bn

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, said it intercepted eight truck-loads of foreign parboiled rice and others worth N1.76 billion in September.

The acting Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Mr Adewale Adeniyi, said this at a news conference on Friday in Lagos.

Adeniyi said the seizures took place at various times and locations within the border corridors of the South-West states.

He added that the unit generated N72.8 million in revenue through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices on those that paid lesser amounts than the appropriate customs duty.

According to him, agriculture, being the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving self-sustaining growth and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians.

“In alignment with this commitment and the spirit of patriotism, our dedicated officers executed a series of operations resulting in the interception and seizure of 7,029 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice.

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“The objective of this action is twofold; to discourage potential traders from engaging in smuggling activities and to inflict financial losses on active smugglers,” he said.

Adeniyi noted that beyond the parboiled rice seizures, the operations of the unit yielded significant results in September with the interception of various goods.

He said the goods include 35,100 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 1,100 liters of diesel and 40-foot container carrying 360 bales of used clothes.

Others were one 40-foot container containing 150 cartons of ladies’ handbags, 50 bales of nickers, and other falsely declared items, one 20-foot container of unprocessed wood.

“Also included are 106 cartons of foreign frozen poultry, 55 pieces of used fridges, 110 pieces of used compressors, 148 cartons of foreign soap, 121 cartons of expired hair oil and 25 units of vehicles (Tokunbo),” he said.

According to him, investigations into some of these seizures are ongoing.

He added that 14 suspects had been apprehended in connection with various offences.

He said the offences include violating import/export guidelines, concealment, undervaluation, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives.

Adeniji, however, urged importers and licensed agents to make sincere declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their investments.

“Compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a strategic choice that ensures the smooth and efficient flow of goods across our borders,” he said.

Customs intercepts 8 truck-loads of foreign rice, other items worth N1.76bn

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Orji Kalu Admits Selling Heavy Weapons to International Buyers

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Orji Kalu Admits Selling Heavy Weapons to International Buyers
Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu
Orji Kalu Admits Selling Heavy Weapons to International Buyers

Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has disclosed that he previously operated an international arms business, selling heavy weapons to buyers in different countries, including anyone willing to pay for them.

The former Abia State governor made the revelation during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, November 9, 2026, while discussing his business history and relationships with former and current African leaders.

Asked directly whether he was an arms dealer, Kalu answered in the affirmative, explaining that dealing in weapons was once one of his major business activities outside Nigeria.

He, however, said he eventually abandoned the business after his parents intervened and insisted that he should stop.

“My major business used to be outside this country to deal in arms. I was an arms dealer,” he said.

According to Kalu, his decision to leave the business followed appeals from his mother and father.

“But my parents, my mother, my father came and said I must stop, and I stopped,” he added.

During the interview, the senator was asked whether he sold weapons to people who intended to use them to kill others.

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Kalu dismissed the suggestion, insisting that his primary motivation was to make money rather than concern himself with how buyers used the weapons.

“I was selling guns to make money, whether they blow up, it’s not my business,” he said.

He also denied that his arms business was exclusively linked to the African National Congress (ANC), which fought against apartheid in South Africa.

Rather, he said he was willing to sell to any buyer who had the financial capacity, regardless of the country involved.

“No, I was selling to anybody who wants to buy. If you have the money, you want to buy in D.R.C, I sell to you, you want to buy in Namibia, you want to buy…” he said.

When asked where he obtained the weapons, Kalu declined to provide details, describing the information as his private business.

The interviewer also questioned him about whether he supplied weapons to Libya during the leadership of its late ruler, Muammar Gaddafi.

Kalu responded that he sold to anybody who had the money to buy, adding that Gaddafi was a good man.

“May his soul rest in peace. He was a good man. If you have money to buy, when I was selling, I would sell to you,” he said.

The senator further sought to distinguish his former business from the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria, maintaining that he dealt in heavy weapons traded from one country to another.

“No, these are heavy arms that were sold country to country,” he explained.

His disclosure comes against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in Nigeria, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and the proliferation of illegal firearms.

The interview also touched on Kalu’s longstanding relationships with South African political leaders, which he traced to his friendship with the country’s late former president, Nelson Mandela.

He said Mandela introduced him to other South African leaders, including former President Thabo Mbeki and incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Kalu also discussed his relationship with former President Jacob Zuma, saying his connections with successive South African administrations developed through those political relationships.

Orji Kalu Admits Selling Heavy Weapons to International Buyers

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“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders

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“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders
Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi

“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists that using their connections with senior police officers, government officials and other influential personalities will not save them from arrest and prosecution for traffic violations.

The Command specifically cautioned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, stressing that offenders would face the consequences of their actions regardless of their social status, position or connections.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday, November 9, by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.

The police expressed concern over the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by motorists who deliberately drive against traffic, ignore road signs and bypass designated diversions in an attempt to avoid congestion.

According to the Command, the practice is particularly dangerous around road construction sites, diversion points and other locations where traffic movement has been temporarily or permanently restricted.

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It also warned motorists against contacting senior police officers, government officials or influential individuals to facilitate their release after being apprehended for traffic violations.

“No individual, regardless of status, position or connections, will be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations,” the statement said.

Following the warning, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, directed the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers to intensify enforcement operations in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant traffic management agencies.

Sanusi directed the officers to ensure the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists caught driving against traffic or disobeying lawful traffic instructions.

However, the police commissioner also warned officers involved in the enforcement exercise against exploiting motorists through extortion.

He stressed that any officer found engaging in such misconduct would face disciplinary action in accordance with existing police rules and regulations.

The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and comply with instructions from authorised traffic officers.

It warned that the few minutes motorists might save through reckless driving were not worth the risk of losing lives or causing damage to property.

The police also appealed to residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.

Residents can also contact the FCT Police Command through its emergency telephone numbers: 08032003913 and 08061581938.

“Your Connections Won’t Save You,” Police Warn Traffic Offenders

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Babcock Student Survives Suspected Suicide Attempt, Receives Treatment

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Babcock Student Survives Suspected Suicide Attempt, Receives Treatment
Babcock University
Babcock Student Survives Suspected Suicide Attempt, Receives Treatment

A 400-level student of Babcock University, Ogun State, has survived a suspected suicide attempt at his hostel and is currently receiving medical attention, following an intervention by his roommates.

The incident, which occurred on November 8, 2026, attracted widespread attention after videos circulated on social media showing the student near a hostel window as his roommates struggled to restrain him and pull him away from the ledge.

The university management confirmed that the student was alive and receiving treatment, dismissing social media reports claiming that he had died.

According to the institution, both the affected student and one of his roommates sustained injuries during the incident. The roommate was treated and subsequently discharged, while the 400-level student remains under medical care at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital.

The university commended the roommates for their prompt intervention, noting that their actions helped prevent what could have been a tragic outcome.

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In a statement signed by its Associate Vice-President for Communication, Media and Branding, Dr Johnson Akintayo, the institution said it had commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Although the incident has been widely described as a suspected suicide attempt, the university has not officially established the student’s motive or the factors that may have contributed to what happened.

Management also disclosed that the student’s parents had been contacted and were on campus to support him during his recovery.

Beyond medical treatment, the university said it would provide the student with appropriate support and guidance to aid his recovery and well-being.

Babcock urged members of the public and media organisations to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, particularly claims about the student’s condition and the circumstances of the incident.

The institution also appealed for sensitivity in discussing the matter, stressing the need to respect the privacy of the student and his family.

The incident has renewed attention on student mental health, emotional well-being and the importance of providing accessible support systems within higher institutions.

The university reiterated its commitment to the safety and welfare of its students, adding that it would take appropriate steps based on the findings of its investigation.

Babcock Student Survives Suspected Suicide Attempt, Receives Treatment

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