By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects, including eight alleged kidnappers and four suspected informants, during security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido.

The command also announced the deployment of three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) provided by the Kaduna State Government to strengthen operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities in the affected communities.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the operations involved clearance exercises, targeted raids and patrols conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.

The eight suspected kidnappers were identified as Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu.

The four alleged informants were identified as Shuaibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew.

According to the police, preliminary investigations suggested that some suspects had allegedly supplied criminal groups with information about security operations.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that two of the suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information about police operations to criminal elements, thereby undermining security efforts and endangering the lives of security personnel and residents,” the statement said.

The command did not identify the two suspects who allegedly confessed or provide further details about the recovered firearms.

Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement, identify other accomplices and bring those connected to the crimes to justice.

In a related development, the command said the state government had released three additional APCs to improve security operations in Millennium City and neighbouring communities.

The vehicles are expected to support surveillance, strengthen police response and facilitate operations against suspected criminal hideouts.

The statement added, “The command assures the residents that clearance operations of criminal hideouts will be sustained to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their activities, and facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims.”

The police also disclosed that a government delegation led by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Malam Sani Kila, met traditional rulers, residents and other stakeholders in the affected communities on October 10 to discuss the security situation.

During the meeting, Kila called for greater cooperation between residents, community leaders, government officials and security agencies.

“He reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged residents, community leaders, landlords, and youth groups to promptly report individuals suspected of aiding or abetting criminal activities and to continue supporting security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and public safety,” the statement said.

The command noted that the forested areas surrounding Millennium City presented geographical challenges for security operations and urged residents to provide credible information to help identify suspected collaborators of criminal gangs.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, directed the immediate deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources to the affected communities.

The statement said the deployment was intended to “intensify surveillance, improve response times, and prevent further criminal activities.”

Rabiu urged residents to remain calm, report suspicious movements to the nearest police station and cooperate with security agencies.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State, adding that operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities would continue.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The legal team of Isa Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) until Wednesday, October 14, to include his name in the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election.

The lawyers made the demand in a letter dated October 12 and addressed to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan. The letter was signed by Ahmed Raji, A.T. Kehinde, Abdul Mohammed, Wale Balogun and Tunde Falola.

They challenged the omission of Pantami’s name and that of his running mate from the final list published by the electoral commission on Saturday, October 10.

The lawyers argued that “the removal of a nominated candidate’s name is exclusively a judicial act”, adding that INEC’s role in primaries is to attend, observe, monitor and report, “not to disqualify, and not to cherry-pick”.

INEC published the names of 16 governorship candidates for Gombe State but did not include Pantami, who emerged as the PDP candidate following a fresh primary election. The commission also omitted Ladi Adebutu, the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, without stating its reasons.

Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, was declared the winner of the PDP’s fresh governorship primary conducted across the 11 local government areas of Gombe State on September 29.

Lawyers Cite Court Order, Electoral Act

In their letter, the lawyers maintained that Pantami was a duly registered PDP member whose name appeared in the party’s membership register submitted to INEC.

They said the party submitted his personal particulars through Form EC9 on August 8, 2026, after he won the initial primary held on May 26. INEC subsequently published his name on August 29.

“The PDP submitted his personal particulars (Form EC9) to the Commission on the 8th day of August, 2026 pursuant to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the Commission published his name on the 29th day of August, 2026 pursuant to Section 29(3) of the Act,” the letter reads.

“Up to this point, no step was taken by the Commission to question any aspect of his emergence.”

According to the legal team, the initial primary was challenged in two cases, marked FHC/GM/CS/10/2026 and FHC/GM/CS/9/2026, before the Federal High Court in Gombe.

The court, in a judgment delivered on September 24, nullified the primary and ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary.

The lawyers said the party complied with the order and notified INEC before conducting the new exercise on September 29.

“In compliance with the Court Order, the PDP gave the Commission due notice of the court-ordered primary, and conducted the fresh gubernatorial primary election on Tuesday, the 29th day of September, 2026,” the lawyers said.

“At the conclusion of that exercise, Isa Ali Ibrahim emerged the winner, and his name was again submitted to the Commission as the nominated candidate of the PDP.”

Citing legal precedents, the lawyers argued that INEC could not remove a nominated candidate from the list without a judicial order.

They therefore demanded that the commission publish Pantami’s name by Wednesday, October 14, alongside the other candidates already listed for the election.

“In the circumstances, we have our Client’s firm and unequivocal instructions to demand, and we hereby demand that the Commission, on or before Wednesday the 14th day of October, 2026, publish and circulate the name of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the office of Governor of Gombe State in the 2027 general elections, in the same manner and with the same prominence as the names of all other candidates published on the 10th day of October, 2026,” the lawyers stated.

The legal team expressed confidence that INEC would take what it described as “immediate corrective action” and provide written confirmation of the steps taken to resolve the matter.

By Muhammad Abubakar

ARISE News announced that political analyst Anthony Kila will no longer appear on its platform after a Premium Times investigation alleged he falsified his academic credentials.

In a disclaimer issued by its Editorial Board, the television network said it contacted Kila on October 3, 2026, over the allegations. However, he requested more time to respond and had not done so ten days later, according to the statement.

ARISE News said it was unaware of the allegations when Kila appeared on its platform as a freelance political analyst.

The network, which emphasised its commitment to credibility and integrity, said his continued contributions were no longer tenable.

“Mr Kila will not be appearing on our network now or in the future, effective immediately,” the statement added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

An additional 17.9 million Nigerians became multidimensionally poor between 2021 and 2024, marking the largest increase recorded by any country during its latest assessment period, according to the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index.

The report, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), showed that Nigeria’s progress in reducing multidimensional poverty between 2018 and 2021 was reversed in the subsequent three years.

Afghanistan followed Nigeria with an increase of 5.3 million people living in multidimensional poverty during its latest assessment period.

The report stated, “In absolute terms, the largest increase in the number of poor people is seen in Nigeria, where although poverty had decreased in the previous period (2018–2021), in the recent period (2021–2024), 17.9 million people became multidimensionally poor, followed by 5.3 million in Afghanistan.”

Nigeria was among five countries that recorded increases in multidimensional poverty during their respective assessment periods. The others were Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Guinea and Kyrgyzstan.

The report stated, “In contrast, five countries reported increases in multidimensional poverty. These are Afghanistan (2015/16–2022/23), Central African Republic (2010–2018/19), Guinea (2016–2018), Kyrgyzstan (2018–2023) and Nigeria (2021–2024).”

Poverty Rate Rises To 38.7 Per Cent

Unlike conventional poverty measures based on income or consumption, the Multidimensional Poverty Index assesses overlapping disadvantages in health, education and living standards.

These include inadequate nutrition, limited access to healthcare and education, poor sanitation, insufficient drinking water, lack of electricity and substandard housing.

The report’s harmonised historical comparison showed that Nigeria’s multidimensional poverty rate increased from 33 per cent in 2021 to 38.7 per cent in 2024, a rise of 5.7 percentage points.

The number of people affected rose from 72.21 million to 90.07 million, while the country’s Multidimensional Poverty Index value increased from 0.175 to 0.208.

However, the report’s separate national estimate for 2024 put the number of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty at 113.32 million, representing 48.7 per cent of the population. This estimate was based on the latest survey without the adjustments used for the historical comparison.

The report also found that 28.7 per cent of Nigerians experienced severe multidimensional poverty, while another 18.1 per cent were vulnerable to it.

It explained, “In Nigeria, poverty incidence declined from 2018–2021, then increased from 2021–2024.”

Significant Differences Across States

The report highlighted wide variations in the causes and severity of poverty across Nigeria’s states. Kebbi, Yobe and Sokoto were among the states with the highest multidimensional poverty burdens, while Lagos recorded the lowest MPI value.

It used Yobe and Sokoto to illustrate how similar levels of poverty can arise from different forms of deprivation.

The report noted, “Compare, for example, the poorest subnational regions of Nigeria: Yobe and Sokoto, which have similar MPI values. Deprivations in nutrition and child mortality contribute more to poverty in Yobe, while in Sokoto, deprivations in water and electricity are stronger contributors.”

It stressed that identifying these differences was important for developing interventions that respond to the specific needs of individual communities.

Sub-Saharan Africa Records Largest Share Of Global Poverty

Globally, the report estimated that 1.2 billion people, representing 18.9 per cent of the population covered by the index, lived in acute multidimensional poverty.

Of this number, 534 million experienced severe poverty, while another 952 million people were classified as vulnerable to multidimensional poverty.

Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 616 million people living in multidimensional poverty, more than half of the global total.

Children bore a disproportionate share of the burden, with 617 million people under the age of 18 classified as multidimensionally poor worldwide.

The report stated, “Roughly one in every three children is multidimensionally poor, compared to one in seven adults.”

The findings raise concerns about Nigeria’s progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of reducing poverty in all its forms and dimensions by at least half by 2030.

Utomi Raises Concern Over Economic Hardship

The findings come amid concerns about the cost of living, food insecurity and the widening gap between wealthy Nigerians and citizens struggling to meet basic needs.

Professor of Political Economy Pat Utomi recently warned that rising poverty, hunger and insecurity, alongside declining public confidence in government institutions, were putting pressure on the country.

He also urged Nigerians to resist the erosion of democratic values ahead of the 2027 elections.

Utomi warned that growing inequality between wealthy politicians and impoverished citizens could threaten national stability.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local hunters and forest guards, have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued an abducted man in Edo State.

The operation took place on Sunday at Sasaro Forest in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, following intelligence reports about suspected kidnappers operating in the area.

Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the 4 Brigade in Benin City, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to Anyanwu, troops of the 195 Battalion (Rear) encountered the suspected kidnappers during the operation. The suspects allegedly opened fire when they sighted the advancing security team, triggering a gun battle that left three of them dead.

The troops rescued the abducted victim, identified as 44-year-old Prince Michael Akao.

Items recovered from the scene included three locally fabricated firearms, nine live cartridges, five mobile phones, two power banks, two cutlasses and two torchlights.

Other items were foodstuffs, two cooking pots, three food plates, a bottle of oil, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of bathroom slippers, a head warmer, three packs of cigarettes, suspected illicit drugs, charms, a bucket and clothing materials.

Anyanwu said Akao was taken to a hospital for medical attention and was confirmed to be in stable condition.

He added that the recovered items had been handed over to the DSS command in Igarra, while the remains of the three suspects were transferred to the Igarra Division of the Nigeria Police Force for further necessary action.

The Army said the operation demonstrated its commitment to intelligence-led operations and efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.

Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of the 4 Brigade, commended the troops for their vigilance, courage, professionalism and prompt response during the encounter. He also praised the cooperation among the participating security agencies.

Balogun assured residents that the brigade would sustain operations against suspected kidnappers and other criminal groups in its area of responsibility.

He urged members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information, noting that community cooperation was essential to preventing crime and protecting lives and property.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Nigeria’s solid minerals sector presents a bittersweet story for the country and its people, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Mining has created wealth, jobs and economic opportunities for individuals and communities. In mineral-rich areas, it has provided livelihoods and opened new sources of income. At the same time,  illegal mining activities have contributed to insecurity, environmental degradation, exploitation and social disorder in some communities.

Since 2023, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has undergone significant reforms to modernise the industry, strengthen regulation and enforcement, attract investment, and shift the country away from exporting raw minerals toward local processing and value addition.

There has also been growing interest in critical minerals, particularly lithium, alongside efforts to formalise artisanal mining and improve government revenue from the sector.

Some reports say revenue from the solid minerals sector rose from about ₦16 billion in 2023 to ₦38 billion in 2024, and from approximately ₦68.1 billion to over ₦70 billion in 2025.

The niger state tragedy in which  37 young lives were lost is being linked to illegal mining, official negligence and unprofessionalism by some Civil Defence officers 

Illegal mining is the exploration, extraction, processing or trading of mineral resources without the licences, permits or regulatory approvals required by law, or in violation of the conditions governing such activities.

Nigeria has an established legal and regulatory framework for mining, primarily under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, along with subsequent legislation affecting the sector. The Nigeria Tax Act 2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026, also introduced changes affecting mining taxation and mineral royalties.

Therefore, not every person found around a mining site is necessarily an illegal miner. The important questions include: Who holds the mining title? Is the operation properly licensed? Are the miners operating within the approved area and under the approved conditions? Are the required royalties, taxes and fees being paid? And are environmental and safety requirements being observed?

Despite improvements in regulation, modernisation and enforcement, illegal mining, insecurity and environmental degradation remain interconnected challenges in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

The problem is not simply the absence of laws. Nigeria already has extensive mining legislation and regulatory institutions. Rather, poverty, unemployment, weak enforcement capacity, informal economic activity, insecurity and limited government presence in some remote areas can create conditions in which illegal mining thrives.

This is particularly important in rural communities where artisanal mining may provide livelihoods for families with few alternative sources of income.

Nigeria’s challenge, therefore, is not merely to stop illegal mining, but to bring legitimate artisanal miners into the formal economy, enforce the law against criminal mining operations, protect host communities and the environment, improve security around mining areas, and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral wealth translates into sustainable development.

Nigeria is richly endowed with solid minerals. The ultimate objective should be to ensure that the wealth beneath the ground becomes prosperity above the ground, legally, safely and sustainably.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has received 105 Nigerians rescued from cybercrime syndicates in Ghana during a coordinated security operation.

According to a statement issued on Monday by NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, the operation was coordinated by Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser following a report from Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority.

The Ghanaian authorities said 119 Nigerians were rescued during the operation, with 105 repatriated to Nigeria while the remaining 14 were undergoing processing.

Receiving the returnees on behalf of the Nigerian government, NAPTIP Director-General Binta Lami Adamu Bello assured them of their safety and said they would undergo profiling and reintegration processes to determine their individual needs.

The operation involved several Nigerian security and law enforcement agencies, alongside Ghanaian authorities and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.

NAPTIP commended the agencies and international partners for their collaboration, reaffirming its commitment to combating human trafficking and related exploitation.

The agency also urged Nigerians to exercise caution when considering overseas employment, scholarships and other opportunities, particularly offers involving unrealistic promises, unclear job descriptions or suspicious recruitment arrangements.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over alleged criminal offences as the country continues its deportation operations.

According to the department, the individuals were arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in different locations across the country.

The allegations listed against them include wire and mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related offences, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and cruelty towards a child.

According to TheCable newspaper, DHS said the publication was intended to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records who had been arrested by immigration enforcement officers.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement reads.

“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations – starting with the worst of the worst – including the illegal aliens you see here.”

The department listed the following Nigerian nationals, the alleged offences associated with their cases and the locations of their arrests:

1. Emmanuel Omowaiye — mail fraud, Richmond, Texas.
2. Laurene Onwuka — fraud and impersonation, Chantilly, Virginia.
3. Olusegun Shonekan — wire fraud, Newark, New Jersey.
4. Olusegun Olaseni — amphetamine sale, Greencastle, Indiana.
5. Peter Ude — wire fraud, Atlanta, Georgia.
6. Newton Jemide — wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud, Fort Dix, New Jersey.
7. Shedrack Umukoro — money laundering, Yazoo City, Mississippi.
8. Olasoji Akinbode — fraud and impersonation, Kearny, New Jersey.
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi — fraud, Conroe, Texas.
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — drug possession, Chicago, Illinois.
11. Joshua Ipoade — wire fraud, Atlanta, Georgia.
12. Michael Orji — weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering, Oxford, Wisconsin.
13. Ahmadu Apooyin — drug-related offence, Baltimore, Maryland.
14. Teslim Kiriji — money laundering, Yazoo City, Mississippi.
15. Onomen Uduebor — identity theft, Seattle, Washington.
16. Charles Ochi — money laundering, White Deer, Pennsylvania.
17. Daniel Eta — wire fraud, White Deer, Pennsylvania.
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah — cruelty towards a child, Tampa, Florida.
19. Kazeem Runsewe — wire fraud, Thomson, Illinois.
20. Fatiu Lawal — wire fraud, Lompoc, California.
21. Justin Akubueze — money laundering, Orem, Utah.
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property, Orlando, Florida.
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — assault, Alden, New York.
24. Bright Eigbedion — money laundering, Lompoc, California.

The announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement and deportation efforts.

However, the DHS announcement does not establish that all the individuals have been convicted of the offences listed against them. The allegations and the circumstances of each case would need to be assessed individually.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has re-arrested an 83-year-old woman, Uloma Sunday, over the alleged possession of methamphetamine and Colorado in Abia State, about 17 months after her first arrest.

Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, said in a statement on Sunday that operatives arrested Sunday at her residence in Ite-Uzo, Umuaguma, Obingwa Local Government Area, on October 7. The substances were allegedly concealed around her waist with a wrapper.

Babafemi said intelligence reports indicated that the woman operated a drug joint where criminal elements who terrorised the community gathered.

The agency had first arrested Sunday and her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, at the same residence on May 17, 2025. The operation reportedly yielded 50 grammes of methamphetamine, 522 grammes of skunk, 260 grammes of fresh cannabis leaves and 12 grammes of tramadol.

According to the statement, both women pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each. They paid the fines and were released.

South African Woman Arrested With 32.74kg Of Cannabis

In another operation, NDLEA operatives, working with the Nigeria Customs Service, arrested a South African national, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, at Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, Rivers State.

The 30-year-old woman was allegedly found with 32.74 kilogrammes of Thai Loud, a strain of cannabis, concealed in two travelling bags. She had reportedly arrived from Thailand through Doha aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1431.

Babafemi said the suspect confessed to previously trafficking drugs through other African countries before attempting to expand her route to Port Harcourt.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, operatives intercepted 354,000 tablets of tapentadol weighing 307.20 kilogrammes in nine cartons shipped from Pakistan aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight.

The consignment arrived on September 29 and was placed under surveillance before a joint examination on October 6 uncovered the tablets.

The agency also intercepted 70 parcels of Colorado weighing 75.90 kilogrammes in six Ghana-Must-Go bags within a consolidated cargo shipment from the United Kingdom.

The operation led to the arrest of several suspects, including a clearing agent, John Edrah, 54; Uber driver Taofiq Ajibola, 54; and clothing trader Kazeem Damola Dosunmu, 48. Adetunji Adebayo was also arrested.

Babafemi said Ajibola identified a UK-based associate, Lukman Sa’idu, as the person who sent the drugs, while Dosunmu said his consignments came from another UK-based man identified as Yusuf.

Major Cannabis Seizures In Several States

The NDLEA reported substantial cannabis seizures and arrests across Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Kaduna and Lagos states.

In Cross River, operatives arrested 46-year-old Adama Inuwa during a raid on Iyala Nkun village in Ikom Local Government Area on October 4. They recovered 181 bags of cannabis weighing 1,100 kilogrammes, alongside 17.15 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds.

In Edo State, officers intercepted a black Toyota Camry conveying 1,049 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 702.83 kilogrammes at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, on October 5. Monday Orji, 52, Monday Lawal, 40, and Precious Uduegele, 20, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Another suspect, Ojugo Mercy, 26, was arrested at Asoro, off Sakponba Road in Benin City, with 989 grammes of Loud, 13 grammes of Colorado and 83 grammes of methamphetamine.

In Ondo State, operatives arrested Happy Endurance, 21, at her hideout in the Shasha area of Akure on October 5, recovering 29 bags of cannabis weighing 290 kilogrammes.

A separate raid on an apartment in Oba-Ile, Akure, on the same day led to the arrest of Tunde Adebayo, 42, with 35 bags of cannabis weighing 351 kilogrammes.

In Kaduna State, officers arrested Mohammed Musa, 29, during a patrol along the Zaria-Kaduna Expressway. They recovered 31 jumbo bags of skunk and 775 blocks of the substance, with a combined weight of 1,027 kilogrammes.

The agency also arrested Musbau Balogun Adekunle in Orile, Lagos, on October 6, allegedly recovering 32.51 kilogrammes of skunk and 52.65 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds.

Tramadol, Other Drugs Seized Along Highways

In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, arrested Abdulrasheed Mohamed, 31, and Abubakar Saidu, 37, at Chanchanji village in Wukari Local Government Area on October 9. The operation yielded 166,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg weighing 107 kilogrammes.

On the same day, a stop-and-search operation along the Kano-Maiduguri Road led to the arrest of Yahaya Musa, 32. Officers reportedly recovered 24,990 capsules of tramadol, 50,000 tablets of diazepam and 22,000 tablets of Exol-5.

NDLEA Recovers Firearms, Ammunition In Jos

In Plateau State, operatives arrested Christian Chukwudi Uju, 45, at his residence on Rukuba Road in Jos on October 8.

The agency said the operation yielded 47 grammes of methamphetamine, two pump-action rifles, a locally made gun, 199 live cartridges, five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one round of 9mm ammunition.

Marwa Commends Officers

Babafemi said NDLEA commands across the country also carried out public awareness activities under the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign during the week.

The activities included sensitisation lectures in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities. Schools visited included Progressive Grammar School in Tede, Oyo State; Ehugbo Technical College in Afikpo, Ebonyi State; Baptist High School in Lambata, Niger State; and other schools in Kano, Lagos and Ogun states.

According to Babafemi, NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa commended the officers involved in the operations and urged personnel nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule discovered in his lung during recent medical examinations.

The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed this on Sunday during his weekly Angelus address to worshippers at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

He said the growth was detected at an early stage and was well localised. According to him, his doctors recommended surgery to remove it.

“The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days,” the pope said in a statement published by Vatican News, the official news service of the Holy See.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, said the procedure was expected to take place early in the week. He added that the pope was likely to spend about one week recovering after the operation.

A lung nodule is a small mass of tissue that can appear as a spot on chest X-rays or CT scans. The report did not indicate whether the growth was cancerous.

Pope Leo thanked worshippers for their support and prayers ahead of the surgery.

The planned operation comes weeks before his scheduled pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. It remains unclear whether the procedure will affect the trip.

Leo XIV was elected pope in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis. He is the first American to lead the Catholic Church.