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NDLEA arrests father of four with 20.75kg black liquid cocaine in Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 52-year-old father of four, Okeke Adolphus Anayochukwu, with black liquid cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA).
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said this was the first time such has happened.
Babafemi said Okeke, who claimed to be a businessman, was arrested with 20.75 kilograms of black liquid cocaine on Tuesday 15th March upon his arrival at the Abuja airport onboard Qatar Airways flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil through Doha, Qatar to Abuja.
He said the liquid was discovered upon search of his two luggage stuffed with six smaller bags containing 32-makeup mascara, which tested positive for cocaine.
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“Married with four children, the indigene of Oraifiti in Akwusigo local government area of Anambra State claims he was a businessman dealing in children wares before delving into the illicit drug business. He claimed he met the person who gave him the consignment to deliver in Nigeria for a fee of Two Million (N2, 000,000) Naira at a drinking joint in Brazil,” the Agency’s spokesman said.
He added that in other operations across the country, different quantities of various drugs were recovered from suspects.
The statement reads, “At least three persons: Tony Samson, Paul Adamu, and Reuben Waziri were arrested in Kaduna on Friday 18th March with 18,380 tablets of Tramadol, and 12,500 tablets of Diazepam and Exol-5 tablets.
In Anambra, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 17th March intercepted a bus with reg. No AGU 460 ZW, at Obosi bridge heading to Aba, Abia state from Onitsha. Upon search, seven and half jumbo sacks of cannabis weighing 362kg were recovered while the driver, Ifeanyi Anyamele admitted to being the owner of the drug exhibits.
“The previous day, Wednesday 16th March, narcotic officers in Ogun state recovered 865.2kg of cannabis sativa around Otapele- Obada road in Imeko-Afon LGA. The consignment was brought in from Benin Republic on motorbikes for onward transportation to Lagos and Abeokuta.
“Same day, operatives in the state arrested Bello Ibrahim, 38, with 312.4kg of cannabis Sativa at Ogere tollgate, Ikenne LGA.
“While commending officers and men of the NAIA, Kaduna, Anambra and Ogun state Commands of the Agency for their vigilance and diligence, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their counterparts across the country to always remain steps ahead of the tricks of drug traffickers and the barons.”
THE NATION
metro
CBN building economy for everyone to thrive – Cardoso begs for patience
CBN building economy for everyone to thrive – Cardoso begs for patience
Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso has advised Nigerians against leaving the country (Japa). He assured that the apex bank is building an economy where everybody and business can thrive.
Cardoso gave this advice in a keynote address at the 59th annual Bankers Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, in Lagos.
He said: “It is not a good idea to japa at this stage.
“Two reasons. One, those who may decide they are going to do that, they will sell and get rid of their assets.
“You’ll be doing it for cheap. Predators, who are outside looking for bargains, will come and take it and pocket it, put it in their pocket and wait for the turnaround and sell it away.
“Number two, you want to be part of the solution. You want to be part of the solution, and this is time that we need all hands on them.
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“There are opportunities in the market today, which I must say, from my experience over the past year and also for the past six months, a lot of interest from the outside in what is going on in Nigeria
“In taking positions in certain assets, so they see the opportunity, and we, who are here, should be part of the solution for the better things which will come.”
While acknowledging the severe impact of the reforms on Nigerians, Cardoso said the reforms are focused on tackling challenges of today and on securing the opportunities of tomorrow with the aim of building an economy where everybody thrives.
CBN building economy for everyone to thrive – Cardoso begs for patience
metro
Abuja court remands 109 foreigners for cybercrime
Abuja court remands 109 foreigners for cybercrime
A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded 109 foreigners arrested for alleged threats to national security, high-level cybercrime and hacking in the Nigerian Correctional Service custodial facility in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Justice Ekerete Akpan, who granted the defendants bail on Friday, held that they should remain in custody, pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
Justice Akpan ordered the defendants to produce five sureties, who must deposit a bail bond of N200m each and a landed property in the FCT.
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The judge further ordered the sureties to deposit the title documents of the landed property and their passports before the deputy chief registrar of the court pending the conclusion of the case.
The foreign nationals charged by the federal government with six-count charges bordering on cybercrime include 113 foreign nationals—87 men and 26 women, mainly from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Philippines and Malaysia, and—17 Nigerians.
The case was adjourned to February 27, 2025 for hearing.
Abuja court remands 109 foreigners for cybercrime
metro
Customs boss warns car buyers: Nigeria now preferred destination for stolen vehicles
Customs boss warns car buyers: Nigeria now preferred destination for stolen vehicles
The Comptroller General of Customs(CGC), Mr Wale Adeniyi, has lamented that Nigeria has become a preferred destination for internationally stolen vehicles which not only tarnishes Nigeria’s international image but also impacts our economy through substantial revenue losses and increased security spending. The Customs boss said this last Tuesday while handing over 21 exotic cars worth over N1.8 billion to the Canadian Government at the Federal Operation Unit (FOU), in Lagos.
The CGC disclosed that the International Police (INTERPOL) had also identified countries in West Africa as hubs for exotic vehicles stolen from Canada, America and Europe. The CGC revealed that members of the syndicate stole vehicles from foreign countries and subsequently shipped them into Nigeria, using falsified documents. He added the officers were able to recover about 21 exotic cars from the criminal gang, with the aid of the recently established Operations Hot Wheel. Among the exotic vehicles that were handed over include Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Huracan, Mercedes-AMG and Range Rover.
“Operation Hot Wheel consists of officers from the Nigeria Customs Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Canadian government,” he said. Adeniyi also revealed that all the 21 vehicles were recovered with the aid of the Canadian Government as well as the EFCC.
“According to INTERPOL reports, West Africa has emerged as a notable destination hub in the global stolen vehicle trade network. This extends from Europe and North America to as far as South America and Australia. This challenge is particularly acute in Nigeria,” he said.
While highlighting data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the CGC said that available data from the bureau showed that between 2013-2015, only 54 per cent of stolen vehicles were recovered.
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He noted that it showed the scale and sophistication of this criminal enterprise.
“The growing incidence of stolen vehicles finding their way into our region has become a matter of serious concern, as it not only undermines our legitimate automotive market but also strains our security infrastructure. Recent intelligence from international law enforcement agencies further confirms that our region has become a preferred destination for internationally stolen vehicles. This is a trend that not only tarnishes Nigeria’s international image but also impacts our economy through substantial revenue losses and increased security spending,” he said.
He added that the economic implications of this criminal enterprise were far-reaching and deeply concerning.
“Beyond damaging our legitimate automotive trade sector and international business relationships, it undermines President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda that aims to position Nigeria as a trusted hub for international commerce. The Service is forced to divert substantial resources towards enhanced border management and rigorous verification processes – resources that should ideally be channelled toward trade facilitation initiatives and economic growth programmes.
“This criminal activity not only strains our operational capacity but also threatens the government’s efforts to attract foreign investment and establish Nigeria as a reliable partner in global trade,” he said.
He said that the NCS, in response to these challenges, gave rise to the initiation of Operation Hot Wheels.
Customs boss warns car buyers: Nigeria now preferred destination for stolen vehicles
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