Defence/Security
NDLEA intercepts N5.8b illicit drugs at Apapa-Port Lagos, arrests one
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Wednesday announced the seizure of large quantity of Captagon, a brand of Amphetamine drug, valued at N5.8 billion at Apapa Port, Lagos.
Chairman of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos, said that the seizure of Captagon, with one suspect in the net, was the first in Sub-Sahara Africa.
He said the agency in March 2021, had intel from its international partners, on the shipment of the illicit narcotic to Nigeria from the Middle East, through the Apapa Port.
Marwa noted that the container passed through three countries, and was transloaded in a North African country, while the agency kept tracking it, in collaboration with its partners.
He explained that, the agency attempted to examine the container on Aug. 26, but found three pieces of marble polishing machines, also called Sanders.
The Chairman further said, on Aug. 31, the Agency’s sniffer dogs turned up a positive indication on the rotor coil of one of the three machines.
“On Sept. 1, 2021, 18,560 tablets of a drug, suspected to be Amphetamine (Captagon), weighing 3.2kg, was found deeply concealed in one of the coils.
“On Sept. 2, the other two machines were dismantled, and in all, a total of 451,807 tablets, weighing 74.119 kilogrammes, were discovered hidden inside the rotor coils.
“Going by the street value of about 25 dollars per tablet, the importer would have raised 11.3 million dollars, about N5.8 billion,” he said.
Marwa pointed out that if not for the intelligence of his men and the support from their international partners, the drug would have caused serious havoc in Nigeria, as such highly addictive pills were mainly available in the Middle East.
“The pill produces a euphoric intensity in users, allowing them to stay awake for days, making them fearless, and pre-disposes them to danger.
“The production and sale of this pill is controlled by militias and large criminal groups in the Middle East and beyond any doubt, Captagon has been linked to the escalation of the Syrian Civil War.
“A lot of the seizures have been made since 2017, mostly in Arabian Peninsula, Italy and Turkey, and its origin is traced to Syria and Lebanon.
“This gave rise to the theory that ISIS is behind the production and sales, to generate funds for weapons,” he noted.
Marwa said given the dangerous background of Captagon, it was obvious that the destination for the drugs was the camp of insurgents and bandits all over Nigeria.
He commended his men and other sister security agencies at the port that assisted in intercepting the drug, stressing that the agency was on the trail of suspects involved in the importation of the illicit drug.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has trailed to Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested one Innocent Chukwuma who used his social media handle to rally the military to overthrow the current government.
Posting on his “X” handle “@TheAgroman,” Chukwuma stated that a coup was needed in Nigeria and called on the military to “suspend the Nigerian government.”
He posted, “A coup in Nigeria is needed.
Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.
“It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your support now! Only them can save this country.
“The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West, and they run our intelligence apparatus. Only the military can reset this country. Support them,” Chukwuma posted.
A source disclosed that the suspect is cooperating with DSS investigators.
By: Fabian Apechihin
President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting the confirmation of the newly appointed Service Chiefs.
The letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja, listed the nominees for the country’s top military positions.
Those named include:
- General Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff
- Major-General Waheedi Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff
- Rear Admiral Idi Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff
- Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke – Chief of Air Staff
- Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye – Chief of Defence Intelligence
In the correspondence, President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process to enable the new military heads to assume their duties without delay.
The Senate has since referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation of the nominees, scheduled to take place next week.
By: Fabian Apechihin
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, has revealed that terrorists have issued threats to bomb the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Hon. Garba made the disclosure on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate, a new body proposed to strengthen security and protect lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the National Assembly.
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex, and also from protesters planning to lock up the premises,” Garba stated.
He warned that Nigeria’s seat of democracy faces growing security risks, including vehicle and motorcycle theft, vandalism, infiltration by unregistered persons, and the use of fake identity cards.
According to him, failure to address these lapses could have grave consequences.
“It is clear that if proper security measures are not implemented, legislative activities could be truncated. Without sittings, there will be no representation, oversight, annual budget, or plenary — and that will destabilize both the legislature and the nation’s democracy,” he cautioned.
Garba emphasized the need for a coordinated security framework to ensure a safe and functional parliamentary environment.
“That is why this Bill is crucial. It aims to tackle these challenges and align Nigeria’s parliamentary security system with global best practices,” he added.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment and Functions of the Legislative Security Directorate in the National Assembly (HB 1632)”, was considered at the House Conference Hall 028 in Abuja.
While acknowledging the importance of keeping Parliament accessible to citizens, Garba insisted that public access must not compromise security.
“The need for effective security in the National Assembly cannot be overstated. This Bill is committed to ensuring the best possible security architecture to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” he said.
He further encouraged state Houses of Assembly across the country to adopt similar frameworks to strengthen legislative security nationwide.
“With these few points of mine, I wish us a peaceful and productive hearing that will mark a turning point in the National Assembly’s security system,” Garba concluded.
BREAKING: Trump Threatens Military Action, Declares Nigeria ‘Country of Particular Concern’ — Orders Probe
UNILORIN VC congratulates new NUJ Correspondents Chapel exco
Biola Azeez Emerges New Chairman Of Kwara NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel
-
Uncategorized5 years agoFG, states urged to harness flooding for ranching, others with technology – Agbaje
-
Headlines10 years agoBreaking: EFCC seals Borno House of Assembly, as Hon members take to their heels
-
News11 years agoNigeria Security Operatives Stage Manhunt For Homosexual Perpetrator
-
News9 years agoHow 21-year-old Girl fled community over accusation of lesbianism
-
News10 years agoYobe Gov Moves Against Deputy
-
Opinion6 years ago7 signs she has friend zoned you
-
Technology4 years ago
Online job placement company headhunts women
-
Headlines9 years agoBorno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader