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NURTW Chairman in NDLEA Custody for Drug Trafficking

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NURTW Chairman Babatunde Babade

By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the Ijero local government area of Ekiti State, Mr Babatunde Babade, for allegedly trafficking illicit drugs in neighbouring Ondo State.

This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, detailing that the transport union leader was apprehended along with two others; Messrs Ilesanmi Shola and Babajide Johnson.

He was caught with 52.5 kilograms of skunk in Akure, the state capital, following intelligence that he was conveying bags of the banned drug in his 1997 model blue Mazda car with registration number: Ekiti JER194 AE from Akure to Ekiti State.

Mr Babade, popularly called BB, was taken into custody along with the two others soon after his arrest at about 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 18, for interrogation.

In his statement, he admitted to owning the vehicle used for conveying the drugs.

He further explained that the car had been intercepted earlier by some security agents who detained the two other suspects, his car and eight bags containing cannabis Sativa while his brother who drove the vehicle fled.

He, however, claimed that following his intervention, the security agents released the suspects and his car to him after taking two of the eight bags containing the drugs as well as the sum of N60,000 from him, before he later ran into NDLEA officers while on his way back to Ekiti.

Meanwhile, officers of the Benue State Command of the agency have intercepted another suspected interstate drug trafficker, Mr Odinaka Ugwuanyi, along Apir road, Makurdi with 124,000 tablets of Tramadol, Diazepam and Exol-5, all weighing 22.55 kilograms.

The suspect, arrested at about 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 17, in a commercial vehicle, said he was from the Nsukka local government area of Enugu State.

He, however, claimed another passenger who sat next to him in the vehicle dropped the bag containing the drugs with him and fled upon sighting NDLEA officers.

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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Dangote Unveils Phone Number to Report MRS Stations Selling PMS Above N739

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Dangote monopoly Political Economy of Failure

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.

This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.

“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.

“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.

The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.

Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.

By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.

The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.

“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.

Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.

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ANLCA Airport Chapter Scores Salamatu High on Stakeholder Engagement, Trade Facilitation

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ANLCA Airport Chapter

By Bon Peters

The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.

At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.

At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.

“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.

He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.

The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating  trade and increasing Revenue generation.”

“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.

“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.

“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.

Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.

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FG Declares Holidays for Christmas, New Year Celebrations

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as public holidays

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.

The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.

He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.

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