Police Reject ₦500m Bribe, Seize 425 Bags of Suspected Canadian Loud Worth ₦7.8bn

Lagos, Nigeria – Operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force have uncovered a major drug trafficking syndicate in Lagos, seizing 425 bags of suspected Canadian Loud – a high-potency strain of cannabis – with an estimated street value of ₦7.8 billion and arresting several suspects, including the alleged kingpin, Eke Henry Ifeanyi . The operation, carried out by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) in collaboration with divisional police detectives, followed months of surveillance and intelligence gathering coordinated by the Zone 2 Headquarters.

The raid, which took place at No. 10 Olori Adekemi Ajibola Street, Arowojobe Estate, Mende, Maryland, Lagos , led to the recovery of the illicit substances allegedly stored in the residence of the prime suspect. Addressing journalists at the scene on Saturday, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh , disclosed that the suspect was apprehended on May 19, 2026 , after weeks of strategic monitoring by operatives. According to him, the operation was executed with technical support and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu , alongside coordinated efforts between the SPU and divisional police teams.

In a dramatic turn of events during the raid, the suspect allegedly made a desperate attempt to compromise the operation. Jimoh revealed that during the operation, the suspect allegedly offered a bribe of ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him to contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere. “The suspect offered ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him to contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere. The offer was rejected immediately and properly documented for further investigation,” AIG Jimoh said.

The AIG described the development as a reflection of the renewed professionalism and operational discipline being entrenched in the Force under the current policing strategy. He noted that the success of the operation underscored the importance of deploying specialized police units alongside conventional divisional teams in tackling organized crime. According to him, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of rapid containment strategies , intelligence-led policing , and professional conduct among the operatives involved in the raid. “Rapid containment was achieved as the Special Protection Unit worked with divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence. The operation was intelligence-driven, following months of surveillance and technical monitoring before the raid was carried out. The immediate rejection and documentation of the bribe attempt also reflect the standard expected from redeployed personnel at the divisional level,” Jimoh added.

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Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly operated under the cover of a legitimate business to avoid detection. Ifeanyi runs Ogata Venture Limited , a company that supplies thermal paper rolls used in POS machines and ATM receipts – a front that investigators believe he used to secretly engage in the distribution of illicit drugs through online platforms within and outside Lagos State. Police sources disclosed that the suspect had initially escaped arrest during an earlier operation but was eventually apprehended on May 19, 2026, after detectives tracked his movements. Following his arrest, investigators said he led detectives to the apartment allegedly used as the warehouse. Further searches reportedly revealed that the living room was filled with cartons of thermal paper rolls, while one of the rooms contained the bags suspected to be Canadian Loud. A resident of the area expressed shock over the discovery, saying neighbours had no idea such activities were allegedly taking place within the compound.

Recovered items from the premises included two electric vehicles bearing forged presidency number plates marked “NYCN 10 SE”, a Leopard hybrid vehicle carrying the same forged registration number, three Android phones, a Republic of Liberia residence permit card, two ATM cards, and an Emporio Armani wristwatch . AIG Jimoh alleged that the suspect used the vehicles bearing forged special number plates to evade security checks and suspicion while transporting the prohibited substances across Lagos. When journalists visited the location, residents disclosed that the suspect was not living in any of the apartments within the compound but allegedly used the premises strictly for business activities.

Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu , commended the operatives for their professionalism, saying the success of the operation validated the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun states. The IGP noted: “Policing must be close to the people, and our specialized units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground. The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.” Disu further assured that the Force leadership would continue to reward integrity while holding officers accountable to the highest ethical standards. This operation aligns with broader reforms under IGP Disu’s administration, including the strengthening of internal oversight mechanisms, the revitalized Complaint Response Unit, and the dismantling of the “Keep In View” (KIV) culture that previously allowed sensitive criminal files to be buried.

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AIG Jimoh issued a stern warning to drug barons operating in the region , declaring that the police are intensifying efforts to dismantle drug networks in Lagos and Ogun States. “This is the beginning of the end of the issue of drug barons in this region of Lagos and Ogun State, ” AIG Jimoh declared. He explained that the incident underscores why specialized units like the SPU are being embedded within joint operations under IGP Disu’s grassroots policing strategy, which includes embedding specialized units within divisional structures to ensure rapid response capabilities and intelligence sharing at the local level.

This police operation comes amid heightened efforts by Nigerian security agencies to combat the influx of Canadian Loud into the country. Just two weeks earlier, between May 9 and May 12, 2026 , the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a massive consignment of Canadian Loud weighing 4,173.5 kilograms with a street value of ₦10.4 billion at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos. That seizure followed painstaking intelligence gathering and surveillance of a container that had been tracked from Toronto, Canada , through Montreal and Morocco, before arriving at the Lagos port. The illicit drugs were professionally packed and concealed inside two vehicles – a used Ford Bus and a Mercedes-Benz C300 car – stashed within the shipping container.

That operation came barely four days after NDLEA operatives raided a Lekki mansion used as a stash house, where 4,000 parcels of the same psychoactive substance weighing 2,326 kilograms worth over ₦5.8 billion were recovered. Reacting to the port seizure, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) stated: “This second massive seizure in less than a week is a clear message to the international syndicates who think they can use our ports as entry points for their soul-destroying trade, that the synergy between NDLEA and Customs Service, as well as other security agencies and our international partners, is yielding fantastic results.” The Canadian Royal Mounted Police, the UK Home Office International Operations (UK-HOIO), and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have all been involved in intelligence sharing related to the Canadian Loud trafficking routes into West Africa.

Police authorities said exhibits recovered during the operation have been properly documented and will be tendered in court. The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to track down other members of the drug trafficking network. The 425 bags of suspected Canadian Loud will be subjected to laboratory analysis to confirm their composition before formal charges are filed. If convicted, the suspects face severe penalties under Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act , which provides for life imprisonment for trafficking in certain quantities of prohibited substances.

As of May 25, 2026 , the investigation remains active, with police authorities stating that more arrests are expected as the dragnet widens. The successful operation and the rejection of the ₦500 million bribe have been hailed as a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking and corruption within Nigeria’s security apparatus, sending a clear message that law enforcement officers are committed to integrity and professionalism.

Police Reject ₦500m Bribe, Seize 425 Bags of Suspected Canadian Loud Worth ₦7.8bn

Trump’s Reception of Ambassador Are Signals Stronger Nigeria–US Partnership

The national leadership of accredited Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) in Nigeria has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Ambassador Kayode Are as Nigeria’s envoy to the United States, describing the decision as a strategic diplomatic move capable of strengthening bilateral ties between both nations.

The commendation was conveyed through the Civil Society Organisations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), a United Nations-recognised platform that coordinates accredited civil society and community-based organisations across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Hon. Kunle Yusuff, the organisation praised the appointment, noting that Ambassador Are’s vast experience in security, intelligence gathering, diplomacy, and international relations positions him to effectively advance Nigeria’s strategic interests in Washington.

According to CSCHEI, the appointment reflects the Tinubu administration’s deliberate effort to deploy highly experienced professionals to key diplomatic postings as part of broader foreign policy reforms aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s global influence and strengthening international partnerships.

The organisation noted that Nigeria–United States relations have remained critical to Nigeria’s socio-economic development over the years, with longstanding cooperation spanning vital sectors such as education, healthcare, security collaboration, oil and gas, aviation, trade, technology, and industrial development.

CSCHEI also expressed appreciation to the United States Government for formally accepting Ambassador Are and facilitating the commencement of his diplomatic assignment in Washington.

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The group said the envoy’s official reception by US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday, May 21, sends a strong diplomatic signal of renewed commitment to deeper institutional engagement between both countries.

It added that the development could unlock fresh opportunities for development-focused partnerships involving US-based international non-governmental organisations, development agencies, donor institutions, and accredited CSOs and CBOs in Nigeria.

The statement further disclosed that CSCHEI’s development partner, Africa United Congress USA, described Ambassador Are as a seasoned diplomat whose integrity, competence, and professional track record make him well-positioned to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote Nigeria’s economic and developmental interests abroad.

According to the group, Ambassador Are’s diplomatic credentials and expertise are expected to help facilitate stronger collaborations in key areas including security cooperation, counterterrorism intelligence sharing, foreign direct investment, youth development, infrastructure financing, innovation, and humanitarian intervention programmes.

“The global community witnessed the official presentation at the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday, May 21. Capacity and performance in diplomacy are evident, and accredited civil society and community-based organisations in Nigeria are proud of Ambassador Kayode Are’s representation of the country,” the statement read.

Analysts believe the envoy’s appointment comes at a critical period when Nigeria is seeking to reposition itself as a leading destination for international investment while deepening strategic partnerships with major global powers.

Observers also note that stronger diplomatic engagement between Abuja and Washington could accelerate cooperation in critical sectors such as energy transition, digital innovation, defence modernisation, education exchange programmes, and sustainable development initiatives.

The latest development is widely seen as the beginning of a renewed chapter in Nigeria–US diplomatic relations, with expectations of expanded economic cooperation and stronger institutional collaboration in the months ahead.

Trump’s Reception of Ambassador Are Signals Stronger Nigeria–US Partnership

Tinubu Has No Plan to Change Nigeria’s Name or Abolish Sharia Law – Presidency

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reacted to a report making rounds in some quarters on the alleged plan by his government to change the name of Nigeria and abolish Sharia law in the northern part of the country. The President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday night, May 21, 2026, described the report as far from the truth. The statement from the Presidency reads: “The Presidency wishes to inform Nigerians and state clearly that there is no truth whatsoever to the viral fake story claiming that President Bola Tinubu seeks to carry out constitutional amendments that will change Nigeria’s name to the ‘United States of Nigeria’ and abolish Sharia Law in the Northern region, among other claims.” According to the Presidency, the report—which cited anonymous sources—is part of a “dubious plot by some desperate politicians to create disaffection in our country, stir up a political crisis, and heat the polity ahead of the general elections.” The statement urged Nigerians to ignore the viral story in its entirety, describing the purveyors of the fake news as “agents of destabilisation and merchants of disorder.”

The statement also clarified that President Tinubu has “no plan whatsoever to send any bill code-named ‘Project True Federation’ to the National Assembly by December 15, a few weeks before the general election.” The Presidency emphasized that under Nigerian law, constitutional changes and amendments are serious matters that require legislative scrutiny, oversight, and extensive debate. “The process of amending the constitution is not at the President’s or the National Assembly’s whim. It is a task that requires a 2/3 majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and the concurrence of 24 State Houses of Assembly.” This constitutional safeguard ensures that no single individual or branch of government can unilaterally alter the nation’s founding document, a fact that makes the alleged “Project True Federation” bill not only improbable but legally impossible to execute within the claimed timeline. The rigorous amendment process, which involves extensive public hearings, legislative debates, and state-level ratification, is deliberately designed to protect Nigeria’s federal structure from arbitrary changes by those in power.

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The Presidency further stressed that President Tinubu is focused on the arduous task of entrenching and deepening the economic reforms his administration has embarked upon, with the aim of delivering more tangible dividends to Nigerians. Since assuming office, Tinubu’s administration has pursued a series of landmark economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates, aimed at stabilizing the economy and attracting foreign investment. The statement cautioned citizens against consuming fake and divisive reports, warning that misinformation is likely to proliferate as the nation begins political campaigns, a prelude to the general elections scheduled for January 2027. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 2027 general elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, 16th January 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will hold on Saturday, 6th February 2027. Political campaigns are expected to commence in August 2026, which the Presidency noted as a period when fake news could proliferate as desperate politicians seek to gain an advantage through misinformation and fear-mongering.

The viral report had sparked widespread concern across the country, particularly in the Northern region where Sharia law operates alongside the secular legal system in several states including Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, and Kaduna. The false claims raised alarms among religious and traditional leaders, who feared the potential social and legal implications of abolishing a system that has been in operation for over two decades in some Northern states. However, the Presidency’s swift and categorical denial appears aimed at dousing any potential tensions arising from the false claims. Meanwhile, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has also weighed in on the broader political landscape, declaring that the only factor holding the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is political power, though this comment was made in a separate context at the launch of the Rise Up Naija Movement (RUN) in Abuja. Nigerians are advised to rely on official communications from the Presidency and verified news sources for accurate information, especially as the country heads toward the 2027 general elections. The Presidency reiterated its commitment to transparency and called on citizens to verify any sensational claims through official channels before sharing, warning that spreading unverified information could lead to unnecessary panic and social unrest.

Tinubu Has No Plan to Change Nigeria’s Name or Abolish Sharia Law – Presidency