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Why the seized cocaine worth N194bn was burned – FG

Published

2 years ago

September 29, 2022

The Federal Government has justified the decision of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to incinerate the N194bn worth of cocaine it seized from a drug racket in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

What happened: Pulse reports that NDLEA operatives on Sunday, September 18, 2022, burst a warehouse in Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, where it found 1.8 tons (1,855 kilogrammes) of the illicit drugs and arrested four drug barons, including a Jamaican and the warehouse manager.

The NDLEA said the seized cocaine worth about Two Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($278, 250,000), an equivalent of about One Hundred and Ninety-Four Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Five Million (N194, 775,000,000) Naira in street value.

NDLEA destroyed drugs: However, the anti-narcotic agency on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, released videos and photos of a scene where the seized drugs were being incinerated.

Nigerians allege foul play: The move raised suspicions among some Nigerians who opined that the illicit drugs should’ve been kept as an evidence against the arrested suspects.

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FG clears the air: Reacting to the development, the Attorney-General of the Federation Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, explained that the substance had to be destroyed because it carried no economic value.

He said this while addressing State House Correspondents shortly after the weekly Council meeting chaired by the President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

Malami revealed that although a small portion of the drugs was retained as court evidence, the majority were set ablaze because the government could not find any other legal use for it.

Malami’s word: “They were burnt because we are not drug dealers, our obligation is to ensure that they are eliminated and stopped from circulating in the system. There should be evidence and the evidence are there, accordingly profiled before being destroyed.”

“Even the Chairman mentioned it, they retained a little to us in court, but destroyed most of it and was witnessed by the people that carried it. It was also in the news that was carried.

“Most of it was destroyed and I think somebody was saying why should they destroy something worth N194b, but if the government were to start trading that, we’ll become drug dealers as well. We cannot derive an economic benefit from it, but to destroy it, because you don’t want drugs circulating.”

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Dangote, MRS agree to sell petrol at N935/litre nationwide

Published

14 seconds ago

December 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Dangote, MRS agree to sell petrol at N935/litre nationwide

Dangote Refinery has announced a partnership with MRS to make Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, available at ₦935 per litre nationwide through MRS retail outlets.

This development follows the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) recent move to lower petrol prices below ₦1,000 per litre.

In a statement shared on Saturday via X, the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, praised President Bola Tinubu for the positive impact of the naira-for-crude swap initiative on the Nigerian economy. He noted that the policy had contributed to a reduction in the cost of petroleum products.

“To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.

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“To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre,” the statement read.

Dangote further revealed that the new pricing had already been implemented in Lagos and would be extended nationwide starting Monday.

He urged other oil marketers, including NNPC Retail, to collaborate to ensure Nigerians benefit from affordable and high-quality petrol.

“The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value chain players to deliver high-quality petrol at cheaper prices,” Dangote stated.

“Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high-quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets.”

The naira-for-crude initiative was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in September under President Tinubu’s administration. The policy, which came into effect on October 1, has eased demand for the dollar and helped stabilize the naira, contributing to the reduction in fuel prices.

Dangote, MRS agree to sell petrol at N935/litre nationwide

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How another Nigerian allegedly murdered by four South Africans

Published

15 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Trends Admin

How another Nigerian allegedly murdered by four South Africans

The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa has condemned the alleged murder of another Nigerian, 37-year-old Julius Chukwunta, by four South Africans.

The native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State was reportedly attacked on December 7, 2024 while driving to his residence.

Chukwunta stayed in Midrand Protea Estate until his death.

NICASA President-General, Dr. Frank Onyekwelu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, said Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

According to him, after attempting to pass through, he was met with resistance, prompting him to seek help at the security office.

Onyekwelu said: “At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

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“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu confirmed that the case, reported by Chukwunta’s partner, had been registered at the Midrand Police Station under file number: 262/12/2024.

He said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

He added: “The court proceedings on December 18, 2024 saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail.

“The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu expressed disappointment at the proceedings and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.

How another Nigerian allegedly murdered by four South Africans

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Ibadan, Abuja, Anambra stampedes: IG orders probe, threatens prosecution of organisers

Published

40 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun

Ibadan, Abuja, Anambra stampedes: IG orders probe, threatens prosecution of organisers

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has voiced worry about the unorganised distribution of palliatives and humanitarian supplies across Nigeria during the festive season.

In recent days, a number of regrettable instances have underlined the need for a more structured and secure approach to aid distribution.

On December 18, 2024, a stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, killed 35 children and gravely injured many others.

Another horrific tragedy occurred on December 21, 2024, when ten people died in a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, where food was being provided to the elderly and weak. Several others suffered wounds.

Similarly, a palliative distribution ceremony sponsored by benefactor Obi Jackson in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, ended in mayhem, killing three people and injuring many more.

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Addressing media in Abuja on Saturday, Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi stated that the Inspector General of Police has directed the Commissioners of Police in the affected states to investigate the situation for possible legal action.

He said, “The IGP emphasised the dangers posed to public safety during these unorganised distributions and funfairs set up by groups, individuals, and NGOs, including the potential for stampedes and other incidents that could endanger lives.

“The lack of a well-defined plan for distributing palliatives has resulted in chaos, leading to long lines and unnecessary confrontations among citizens seeking assistance.

“In light of these developments, the IGP has called on government officials, community leaders, and non-governmental organisations to work collaboratively towards establishing a comprehensive and organised framework for distributing palliatives.

“The IGP has ordered the commissioners of the affected states to carry out thorough investigations into these ugly incidents for further legal actions. The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, sympathises with the bereaved families and wishes those injured a quick recovery.”

He added that the organisers of this charity are criminally accountable, citing clauses in Nigeria’s Penal and Criminal Codes.

Adejobi said, “The IGP has hereby warned groups and organisers of similar events to ensure the involvement of security agencies, as negligence on their part is criminal and would not be overlooked, as provided for in Sec. 196 of the Penal Code and Sec. 344 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”