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NDLEA Seizes N4.8bn Narcotics At Alaba Trade Fair Warehouse

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NDLEA screening

By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Saturday seized multi-billion naira worth of illicit drugs at a warehouse tucked in the midst of the popular International Trade Fair Complex, Alaba, Ojo area of Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the media officer of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.

According to the statement, 1.4 million pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 826kgs; 3.2 million pills of codeine with a gross weight of 3,360kgs; and 2,841 cartons of codeine syrup containing 284,100 bottles with 28,410 litres of the psychoactive substance, with a combined street value of N4.8 billion were recovered from the warehouse owned by a suspected billionaire drug baron.

It was revealed that during the operation that lasted hours, a suspect, Mrs Paulinus Ojukwu, who is Chief Security Officer to the wanted suspect, who parades as an automobile spare parts dealer, was arrested and now assisting in ongoing investigation.

The latest drug warehouse bust is coming on the heels of the arrest of Mrs Faith Ebele Nwankwo, who was nabbed on Wednesday, August 9, with 2.7 million pills of Tramadol, a brand of tramadol 225mg and 250mg recovered from her residence at House 6, C close, 3rd Avenue, Festac area of Lagos and a warehouse located at Plot 3432 Sola Akinsola Street, Divine Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives on Friday, August 18, intercepted $20 million suspected to be counterfeit during a stop and search operation along Abaji – Lokoja Road within the Federal Capital Territory.

The suspected fake money was recovered from a bus coming from Lagos to Abuja, while the 53-year-old driver of the vehicle, Mr Onyebuchi Nlededin, was arrested.

The previous day, Thursday, August 17, the NDLEA said that Mr Jude Ndubuisi, 52, was arrested with 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Kabusa village, FCT.

The suspect was initially arrested with 20.75kg of cannabis on July 7, 2022, and was on court bail following his ongoing prosecution when he was nabbed for yet another drug crime.

Another raid of two notorious drug joints within the FCT: Dei Dei and Tora-Bora Hills, led to the recovery of 82.8kg skunk, 1.8kg rohypnol, and 1.2kg diazepam on Wednesday, August 16.

In Osun, NDLEA operatives, in the early hours of Saturday, destroyed clusters of cannabis farms measuring about 3.49000 hectares (over 7.5 tons) at Mopatedo in the Ifedayo local government area of the state.

Two suspects: Mr Sunday Otogbo, 40, and Mr Peter Andel Makra, 35, were arrested inside the cannabis farms. An additional 30kg of cannabis weeds and 16.9kg of cannabis seeds were also recovered from the farms.

At least three suspects: Mr Ndubuisi Okorie, 44; Mr Ebilima Emmanuel, 38, and Mr Okechukwu Anthony Smart, 40, were arrested in connection with the seizure of 168kg cannabis consignment from them when their vehicle was intercepted along Owerri-Onitsha expressway, Imo state on Saturday, August 19.

Another shipment of controlled drugs containing 6,000 capsules of tramadol, 1,200 tablets of swinol, 155 bottles of codeine syrup, and 20 tabs of Molly was equally seized on the same road on Sunday, August 13, while a follow-up operation in the Oyigbo area of Port Harcourt, Rivers state led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Mr Remigius Ogechukwu, 33.

While a teenager, Mr Boniface Odinakachukwu, 19, was apprehended with 99.4kg skunk at Isikwe Road, Achi in Oji-River LGA, Enugu state on Friday, August 18, a wanted teenage bandit, Mr Aliyu Mohammed Altine, 19, was arrested by NDLEA operatives along Illela- Sokoto road with some wraps of skunk on Thursday, August 17. The suspect, who is on the wanted list of the police, has since been transferred to the police in Sokoto state for further investigation.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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FG Pledges to Revive Atlantic Refinery Project

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Atlantic Refinery Project

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed dismay over the abandonment of the Atlantic Refinery project in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, promising to rejuvenate it.

Mr Lokpobiri made this commitment during an inspection visit to Ewa-ama Road, which leads to the Brass Petroleum Products Terminal (BPPT), where he engaged with key community stakeholders.

He assured stakeholders that the federal government would review the project to ensure its eventual completion.

“The federal government remains committed to completing critical infrastructure projects that drive economic growth and improve livelihoods. This project will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure its eventual completion,” he pledged.

The Minister commended the people of Brass for their peaceful disposition despite the challenges posed by the refinery’s abandonment, urging them to sustain the peace.

“Stability is crucial for attracting further investments and development to the region,” he emphasised.

Reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to delivering on key development projects, Mr Lokpobiri reiterated that the government remains dedicated to advancing initiatives that will benefit the Niger Delta.

The Minister was accompanied on the visit by Mr Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as part of efforts to assess and fast-track key projects in the region.

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Obi Urges Transparency, Accountability as 2025 Budget Swells 9%

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Peter Obi Prioritize Economic Recovery

By Adedapo Adesanya

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has called for transparency and accountability as a result of the recent increase in the 2025 budget by 9.1 per cent to N54.2 trillion.

Mr Obi, in a message on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, said while the sources of revenue were detailed, there was no corresponding breakdown of expenditures to justify the budget increase.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday raised the proposed budget by 9 per cent from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion, citing additional revenues generated by key government agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other government-owned agencies.

Mr Obi, in his message, stressed the need for Nigerians to be informed on how public funds are allocated and spent.

“For transparency and accountability sake, Nigerians need to know how the resources generated from them are being allocated to ensure that they are judiciously spent on the country’s development and the well-being of the people,” Mr Obi said.

He added that budgetary expenditures should be directed toward critical areas of development, including education, healthcare, security, and poverty alleviation, to ensure meaningful impact on citizens’ lives.

“Yesterday, I read about the increase in the Budget of Restoration to ₦54 trillion due to increased revenue.

“While the sources of this revenue were detailed, there is no corresponding breakdown of expenditures to justify the increase. For transparency and accountability sake,” part of the statement read.

He said Nigerians are still waiting for a detailed account of the execution and expenditures of the Renewed Hope budget, which was passed in December 2023, calling on the National Assembly to seize this opportunity to obtain and make public the full details of the 2024 budget of Renewed Hope budget.

He also called on lawmakers and government officials to prioritise openness and accountability to safeguard public trust as preparations begin for the 2025 Budget of Restoration.

“Transparency in this regard is crucial for ensuring accountability, learning from past budgets, and making informed decisions for the nation’s progress.

“As we work towards passing the Budget of Restoration for 2025, let us uphold openness, accountability, and the welfare of the Nigerian people. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the future of our great nation,” he stated.

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Fidelity Bank MD Lauds Soludo’s Prudent Spending of Anambra Funds

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Nneka Onyali-Ikpe fidelity bank md charles soludo

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has been applauded by the chief executive of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs Nneka Onyali-Ikpe, for the infrastructural development in the state.

The banker said she was marvelled at the avalanche of projects in the state and how the Governor has managed the scarce funds of the state without borrowing.

“I am very impressed with the quality, size, and finishing of the projects being executed in this state without borrowing from financial institutions,” Mrs Onyali-Ikpe said during a tour of projects in Anambra State on Wednesday.

“I’m blown away by the size of infrastructure that I’m seeing today; the contemporary architecture, the finishing, and the size of it. It is intimidating. I’m excited that we finally have something that befits our state, Anambra.

“I’m interested in knowing how Soludo is building the infrastructure without borrowing money,” the Fidelity Bank chief said.

During the tour, the banking executive, accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Protocol to Governor Soludo, also visited the ongoing Anambra State government house and lodge with Amphitheatre, the Solution Fun City, a centre for funfair and celebrations, amongst others.

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