NDLEA Cracks Down on International Drug Syndicates in Lagos Airport Operations

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a 24-year-old Thai woman, Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, attempting to smuggle 46.60 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, into Nigeria. The arrest took place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, during the inward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed that the illicit consignment, comprising 43 parcels of cannabis, was concealed inside the suspect’s luggage. Upon interrogation, Ms. Wimonnat confessed that she was a hired courier for a drug trafficking…

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A CALL TO ACTION : Securing Nigeria’s Future: The Need for Urgent NSCDC Recruitment

By Gambo Jagindi The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been a cornerstone of national security and critical infrastructure protection. Despite their heroic efforts, the corps faces a significant challenge The escalating attacks on electrical equipment, high-tension wire vandalism, and power cable sabotage have exposed a critical vulnerability in our national infrastructure. The NSCDC stands as a bulwark against these threats, tasked with protecting the very foundations of our economy. However, the corps’ valiant efforts are being undermined by a severe manpower shortage, which imperils their ability to respond effectively to these emerging threats. In recent times, the…

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EFCC Hands Over Recovered Fraud Proceeds to Foreign Governments

The Nigerian government has officially returned over $50 million in recovered assets to the governments of the United States, Spain, and Switzerland for onward restitution to victims of financial fraud. During the handover ceremony, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, emphasized that the move was a crucial step in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against financial crimes. He stated that the restitution aims to uphold the nation’s integrity and combat the negative perceptions associated with cyber-related fraud. Addressing representatives from the U.S. Embassy, the Spanish government, and Swiss authorities, Olukoyede reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to reversing…

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Civil Society Group Urges EFCC to Probe NCDMB Over Alleged N9.9 Billion Fraud

The Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance (CCSGG) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into allegations of financial misappropriation involving Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). The group claims that ₦9.9 billion (approximately $6.6 million USD) was allegedly diverted for consultancy services under questionable circumstances. At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, CCSGG convener Comrade Okpanachi Jacob accused Engr. Ogbe of approving the unauthorized transfer of funds for consultancy services without transparency or proper documentation. Key Allegations Jacob outlined several…

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Police Hunt Pastor Over Daughter’s Death After Witchcraft Allegation

The Cross River State Police Command has reportedly launched a manhunt for a pastor, Apostle Ubong Bassey, following the death of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, whom he allegedly accused of witchcraft. Investigative journalist Agba Jalingo confirmed the incident on Thursday, February 20, stating that Deborah, who had Down Syndrome, was allegedly labeled a “witch” and a “snake” by her father before her tragic death. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at around 4 p.m. at No. 7 Jacob Street, off Eyo Edem, in Calabar South Local Government Area. Neighbors were left in shock as the details emerged.…

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Fire Erupts On Crude Storage Barge in Rivers State, No Casualties Reported

A fire erupted on the dry crude storage barge BESTAF5 at Cawthorne Channel 1, Rivers State, around 2:10 PM on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, spreading to nearby barges. Emergency response teams, in collaboration with industry partners, swiftly intervened and successfully contained the blaze, preventing any disruption to flow station operations. Most importantly, there were no casualties, and all personnel were safely accounted for. NNPC Ltd. reaffirmed its commitment to safety, environmental protection, and operational integrity, emphasizing that swift action helped mitigate potential risks.

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Nigeria Bans 60,000-Liter Fuel Tankers to Curb Road Accidents

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced a ban on 60,000-litre fuel tankers from operating on Nigerian roads, effective March 1, 2025. The move aims to reduce accidents involving heavy-duty petroleum trucks. Speaking in Abuja, NMDPRA Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha, said the decision followed rising incidents of road crashes linked to large fuel tankers. The ban was agreed upon after consultations with key stakeholders, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), National Union of…

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NCIS Urges Members to Verify Insurance Certificates via Digital Platforms

The National Cooperative Insurance Society of Nigeria (NCIS) has reaffirmed the legitimacy of its motor vehicle third-party insurance certificates issued through its USSD portal and other online platforms. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, NCIS Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Adesanya, urged members to disregard misinformation suggesting that third-party insurance is only valid if obtained from a specific platform. He emphasized that the NCIS, as a cooperative organization, is solely responsible for issuing cooperative insurance certificates to its members, operating under the Federal Department of Cooperative within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Adesanya encouraged members to…

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House of Reps Probes Osun LG Crisis as Deadly Clashes Escalate

The House of Representatives has established an investigative committee to address the escalating local government crisis in Osun State, which has reportedly claimed multiple lives. In a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by nine lawmakers from Osun, the House also called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies to take immediate action to restore peace and stability in the state. During plenary, the leader of the Osun State Caucus in the House, Hon. Bamidele Salam, highlighted that on February 17, 2025, violent clashes erupted across several…

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How NBTI, EFCC Are Leveraging AI, Innovation to Combat Corruption

The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has joined forces with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle corruption using technology-driven solutions. Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director General/CEO of NBTI, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability during a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. Dr. Raji commended Mr. Olukoyede’s leadership in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, noting that the EFCC has achieved significant milestones under his tenure. These include recovering over N200 billion and successfully prosecuting approximately 3,000 corruption cases in a single year. Such achievements, he said, have reinforced global confidence in Nigeria’s…

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