General
Apapa Port Customs Seizes N3.2bn Prohibited Drugs, Crosses N1trn Revenue
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a shipment of prohibited pharmaceuticals and other contraband goods with an estimated duty paid value (DPV) of N3.2 billion.
The illegal shipment, smuggled into the country through the Lagos Port Complex, was uncovered following intensified enforcement operations. Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos on Thursday, Customs Area Comptroller, Mr Babatunde Olomu, said the seizures were a result of joint efforts by the NCS and other national and international security agencies.
“This command is not sacrificing compliance on the altar of trade facilitation. On my watch and with the inspiring guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who was in the command two weeks ago to showcase 12 containers of seized pharmaceuticals.
“Consequently, as a result of our painstaking efforts, we recently uncovered six more containers laden with prohibited items, mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals. Other items in the seized containers are cosmetics, used clothing, and two vehicles illegally imported into the country. These seizures are worth a total DPV of N3.2 billion.
“While we facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the NCS owes the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and well-being,” Mr Olomu said.
“As officers at the nation’s largest, busiest, and premier port, we are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchants of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances like the ones I shall be showing you today.
“In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items also violate the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV—an international enforcement effort against counterfeit, substandard, and unauthorized medical supplies,” he added.
On arrests made so far, Mr Olomu disclosed that, “Three suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
“These two seizures alone have a street value of N2.7 billion,” he said.
“Interestingly, these containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).”
According to Comptroller Olomu, the seizures fall into three main categories: namely A 40-foot container (No. SUDU 8685733) was found to contain 1,698 cartons of RTPL CSC cough syrup with codeine, concealed in 202 packages of water closets.
Another 40-foot container (No. MRSU 4846204) contained 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup, also hidden inside toilet seats.
He disclosed that other intercepted consignments include:
Container Number ONEU 1153150 (40FT) carrying 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks and 30g Clobetasol cream, falsely declared as truck tyres.
Container Number MRSU 3258823 (40FT), which held unregistered drugs including Rabeprazole for injection, Zahifranil tablets (25mg), Vancomycin hydrochloride (1000mg), and Ciprophetadine with Vitamin B complex—falsely declared as kitchenware and tables.
Container Number MRKU 0904594 (40FT), which concealed two stolen vehicles from Canada: a 2024 Lexus RX 450 (Chassis No. JTJCJNGA6R2017707) and a 2023 Lexus RX 350 (Chassis No. 2T2BAMCAPCO32741), falsely declared as food items.
Container Number SEKU 4716830 (40FT), which contained 390 bales of used clothing, in violation of the country’s import prohibition laws.
Giving other related activities, he said the command had crossed the N1 trillion revenue mark before the end of May. “We have so far generated a total of N1.094 trillion as of 21 May 2025,” he said.
“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year,” he added.
He also highlighted notable revenue milestones: “For instance, in October 2024, we collected N18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9 billion; and on 20 May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919 billion. All these were groundbreaking daily collections.”
Mr Olomu issued a strong warning Saying: “Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity, and our officers are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrests where necessary.”
Also speaking, Assistant Comptroller General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in charge of Narcotics, Mr Buba Uwadiawakawa, attributed the success to joint intelligence-sharing efforts.
“The interception of the huge volumes of unregistered pharmaceuticals was made possible through the collaborative efforts of local and international security partners.” he said.
General
Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today
By Blaise Udunze
Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.
The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.
Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.
Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.
The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.
Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.
Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.
Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.
General
Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.
This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.
The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.
This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.
A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.
Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.
It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.
Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
General
Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.
The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.
Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.
According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.
“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.
He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.
Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.
He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.
“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.
On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.
“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.
Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.
He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.
“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.
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