Customs Seize Cocaine Worth N1bn Along Nigeria–Benin Corridor

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted cocaine valued at about ₦1 billion along the Badagry–Seme border, dealing a major blow to drug trafficking networks operating across Nigeria’s land borders.

The seizure was made during an intelligence-driven midnight operation carried out by officers of the Seme Area Command. Customs officials said the illicit drugs were concealed inside a Toyota Highlander vehicle, hidden in a specially constructed compartment designed to evade routine checks.

The consignment, made up of 22 parcels of suspected cocaine weighing approximately 25 kilograms, was intercepted while being smuggled through the busy border corridor linking Nigeria to neighbouring countries. A suspect was arrested at the scene, while the vehicle used for the operation was also seized.

Following standard procedure, the intercepted drugs, the suspect, and the vehicle were formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for forensic analysis, further investigation, and prosecution. Customs officials described the handover as part of strengthened inter-agency collaboration aimed at dismantling transnational drug cartels.

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The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the successful operation was driven by credible intelligence and enhanced border surveillance, stressing that the Service remains committed to protecting national security and public health by preventing dangerous narcotics from entering or transiting through Nigeria.

He noted that drug trafficking remains a serious threat linked to organised crime, insecurity, and social harm, adding that the Customs Service will continue to intensify enforcement across all ports, borders, and transit corridors.

The Badagry–Seme axis has long been identified as a major smuggling route, and authorities say the latest seizure highlights ongoing efforts to tighten border security, disrupt criminal supply chains, and ensure Nigeria does not serve as a transit hub for illicit drugs.

Investigations into the source, destination, and network behind the seized cocaine are ongoing, while authorities assured the public that all those found culpable will be prosecuted in line with the law.

Customs Seize Cocaine Worth N1bn Along Nigeria–Benin Corridor

Security Row: El-Rufai Accuses Ribadu of Procuring Dangerous Chemicals

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of procuring what he described as “dangerous toxic chemicals” from Poland, raising serious national security and public safety concerns.

El-Rufai made the allegation while reacting to ongoing political tensions and security-related debates at the federal level. He claimed that the alleged procurement of the chemicals was carried out under the guise of national security operations, warning that such substances could pose grave risks if mishandled or misused.

According to El-Rufai, the chemicals in question are highly toxic and capable of causing severe harm, insisting that their importation into Nigeria demands urgent clarification and transparency from the Office of the National Security Adviser. He called on relevant authorities to immediately disclose the nature, purpose, and handling protocols of the chemicals to reassure Nigerians.

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The former governor further argued that Nigeria’s fragile security environment makes the alleged acquisition particularly troubling, stressing that the country cannot afford actions that may worsen insecurity or endanger civilian lives. He urged the National Assembly and appropriate oversight bodies to investigate the matter thoroughly.

As of the time of this report, Ribadu has not publicly responded to the allegation. However, government officials familiar with security procurement processes have previously maintained that acquisitions linked to national security are usually subject to strict regulations and inter-agency oversight.

The allegation has since sparked widespread reactions across political and security circles, with calls for accountability and clarification dominating public discourse. Analysts say the claims, if substantiated, could raise questions about procurement standards, inter-agency coordination, and chemical safety regulations in Nigeria.

The development adds another layer to the ongoing political friction between key figures in the ruling establishment and highlights the increasing intensity of public exchanges among senior political actors.

Security Row: El-Rufai Accuses Ribadu of Procuring Dangerous Chemicals

Singer Market Fire: Tinubu Sends Shettima, FG Delegation to Kano

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Kano State to express sympathy and provide support to victims of the devastating Singer Market fire disaster.

The directive was disclosed in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, the delegation is scheduled to depart Abuja on Monday and will formally convey President Tinubu’s condolences to traders who lost goods worth billions of naira in the weekend inferno, which engulfed the market — the second major fire incident at Singer Market in less than two weeks.

The delegation will also convey the Federal Government’s pledge of financial assistance to support affected traders and assist the Kano State Government in facilitating the swift reopening of the market, which serves as a major food distribution hub for northern Nigeria and beyond.

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Members of the delegation include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Kawu Ismaila; and Abubakar Kabir Bichi, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation. Also on the team are the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro, and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar.

President Tinubu had earlier spoken by telephone with Abba Kabir Yusuf, expressing his condolences to traders and residents of Kano over the devastating fire outbreak. He described the incident as deeply distressing, particularly as it occurred shortly after a previous fire destroyed dozens of shops and large quantities of goods at the same market.

The fire reportedly started on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, causing extensive damage at Singer Market, widely regarded as Nigeria’s largest food market and a critical centre for the distribution of grains and foodstuffs across the country.

Concerned by the recurring nature of market fires, President Tinubu has directed a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the repeated incidents, with a view to strengthening fire safety measures, emergency response capacity, and preventive mechanisms in major commercial centres nationwide.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting affected traders, safeguarding livelihoods, and working closely with state governments to prevent future disasters.

Singer Market Fire: Tinubu Sends Shettima, FG Delegation to Kano