“Reacting to the successful taking down of the meth syndicate, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men involved in the multi-pronged operation, while he stated that the manner the interdiction was carried out should send a strong signal to other cartels that there’s no hiding place for them in any part of the country,” the statement reads.
metro
NDLEA wanted drug baron arrested in Imo hometown
NDLEA wanted drug baron arrested in Imo hometown
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested the leader of the syndicate behind the production and distribution of the deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’, Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu, in his house in his hometown in Imo state.
The agency said the 42-year-old was arrested alongside his associate in his mansion tucked in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area.
The director of media and advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Tuesday, July 9, said the cartel with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state became a target of the Agency following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of a substantial quantity of methamphetamine in South East, South-South and other parts of the country.
Babafemi said after weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the Agency on Friday 5th July 2024, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges recovered.
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He said exhibits recovered from the house include: 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate, a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges.
According to the statement, the NDLEA operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideouts located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate, and 75 grams of meth.
It indicated that another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo state, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items.
Babafemi said while the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the federal government.
The statement reads: “Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings. Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.
metro
FG okays closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos from Wednesday
FG okays closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos from Wednesday
By Dada Jackson
The Federal Ministry of Works has informed the motoring public of the closure of the Independence Bridge (Marina bound) in Lagos, commencing on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025.
It said in a statement on Monday that the closure was necessary to facilitate essential maintenance and rehabilitation work on the bridge.
The closure will affect people travelling from the Ahmadu Bello Way & Adeola Odeku Road towards Marina, Eko Bridge and Onikan by Zone 2, according to the statement.
The independence bridge would remain closed until the end of May 2025 for the repairs, it added.
Motorists are therefore advised to plan their journeys accordingly and seek alternative routes, it stated.
“The Federal Ministry of Works apologizes for any inconvenience this closure may cause and appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation as we strive to ensure the safety and stability of our road infrastructure,” the statement signed by the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos, Engr. (Mrs) O I Kesha, said.
metro
Lagos, MTN Nigeria unveil “My Lagos App”
Lagos, MTN Nigeria unveil “My Lagos App”
The Lagos State government, in collaboration with MTN Nigeria, has launched the ‘My Lagos App’ aimed at making urban living in the state more seamless and efficient. The app was unveiled at MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, Lagos in a bid to make urban life in the city seamless and easy.
The app is designed to provide a range of features that enhance various activities, promoting economic growth, accountability, transparency, and real-time updates.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, highlighted the importance of this digital solution in a rapidly growing city like Lagos. The app serves as a vital link between the government and citizens, promoting accountability, transparency, and real-time updates.
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“The app is a comprehensive digital solution that provides seamless access to essential city services, including real-time traffic updates, personalised navigation, emergency services, utility payment services, business listings, and tourism information; the app will serve as a vital link between the the government and the citizens, it simplifies access to public services, promotes accountability and transparency, provide real time update,”Mr Governor said
Sanwo- Olu emphasised the importance of such collaboration between the government and private sectors, adding that “this partnership exemplifies the power of synergy between the Public and private sectors in driving meaningful progress.”
The governor encouraged Lagos residents to make use of this platform “as we are now in the digital age as technology is no longer luxury but necessity “I urge everyone in Lagos to embrace this app, download it, explore its features and fully utilize the services that it offers,” he said.
Lagos, MTN Nigeria unveil “My Lagos App”
metro
TUC backs NYSC member for criticising Tinubu administration
TUC backs NYSC member for criticising Tinubu administration
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed support for Ushie Uguamaye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, who has claimed to have received threats after criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, backed Uguamaye’s stance, suggesting that her comments were born out of frustration. Osifo urged the government to show tolerance toward critics rather than target them.
He emphasized the importance of allowing room for constructive criticism, which is vital for a healthy democracy.
However, Osifo also advised critics to maintain a level of decorum and ensure their critiques are within acceptable norms, promoting respectful dialogue and fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect.
He said, “They (government) have to develop this resilience to understand that people are frustrated, people are hungry, people are tired. So, if they decide to vent, I strongly believe that the government should not personalise it and come after such individuals.
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“Imagine a young lady carrying out her NYSC function, what does she really have to do to bring down government? So, it is about personal frustration that she has aired.
“So, I think that the government has to persevere much more, they have to be more tolerant, and they have to have this deep level of patience with Nigerians because people are passing through a lot as it stands today.”
Raye, a corps member serving in Lagos, recently made headlines after a video she posted criticising government policies went viral.
She later claimed to have faced threats, reportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the video.
In the video posted on her TikTok account #talktoraye on Saturday, Raye voiced frustration over Nigeria’s deteriorating economic situation, lamenting that hard work no longer guarantees financial stability.
She criticised Tinubu’s leadership, calling him a “terrible leader,” and questioned the government’s commitment to easing citizens’ hardships.
However, the NYSC has yet to release an official statement regarding the issue.
TUC backs NYSC member for criticising Tinubu administration
(Punch)
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