News

By Uzair Adam 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant strides in its ongoing war against drug trafficking, intercepting a total of N22.7 billion worth of opioids at three major seaports. 

In a separate incident, operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, arrested Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, a Thailand returnee, for attempting to smuggle heroin valued at over N3.1 billion.

Oguejiofor, a 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Anambra State, was apprehended on October 7, 2024, while trying to exit the airport with the illicit drug hidden in six backpacks packed inside two large suitcases. 

The heroin, weighing 13.30 kilograms, was carefully sewn into the backpacks. 

According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Oguejiofor had travelled from Thailand to Lagos via Qatar Airways, stopping over in Doha. 

Upon arriving in Lagos, he requested his luggage, which was initially routed to Accra, Ghana, to be rerouted back to Nigeria in an attempt to avoid security checks. 

NDLEA officers intercepted the luggage, leading to the discovery of the heroin.

Oguejiofor claimed that he was paid $7,000 to deliver the drugs, with two parcels intended for Lagos and the remaining four for Accra.

In related operations, NDLEA officers at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa Seaport in Lagos, and the Port Harcourt Port Complex seized a large quantity of opioids, including 32.6 million tramadol pills and over 1.4 million bottles of codeine-based syrup. 

These drugs were estimated to be worth N22.7 billion in total.

Meanwhile, operatives in Anambra State also arrested a suspect with 50,000 tramadol tablets, and in Edo State, NDLEA officers recovered 1,050 kilograms of cannabis during a raid at a transit point.

By Uzair Adam 

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has suspended his Special Adviser on Salary and Pensions, Alhaji Bashir Ado, following a premature announcement regarding a proposed N70,000 minimum wage.

The suspension was confirmed in a statement issued by Bala Ibrahim, the Secretary to the State Government, in Dutse on Saturday. 

The statement revealed that a circulating media report claiming the governor had approved the new minimum wage was both inaccurate and premature.

“This is an embarrassing situation, as the committee tasked with advising on the appropriate wage, led by the Head of the State Civil Service, has yet to finalize its report,” Ibrahim explained.

Due to the incident, the governor has approved Ado’s immediate suspension pending the outcome of an investigation. 

A committee, chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Bello Abdulkadir, has been set up to probe the source and intent behind the statement.

The committee, which includes Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture Sagir Musa, Commissioner for Health Dr Abdullahi Muhammad, and Muhammad Hahaha, Permanent Secretary of Establishment and Service Matters, is expected to submit its report within two weeks.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 26-year-old man, Nura Mas’ud, who allegedly set his grandmother ablaze. 

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Adam, confirmed the suspect’s arrest in a statement on Saturday. 

He said, “On October 8, 2024, at about 1600hrs, the command was notified of a sad and regrettable incident that occurred in Mu’azu village, Dan Gwanki ward, Sule Tankarkar LG. 

“That one Nura Mas’ud, 26 of Mu’azu village, Sule tlTankarkar LGA, went to his family house with a petrol canister and poured it on his grandmother, Zuwaira Muhammad, 60 of the same address, and set her ablaze. 

“The elderly woman eventually passed away while being admitted to a hospital as a result of the conflagration.” 

He explained that the medical doctor on call certified her death, and the corpse was released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites. 

He pointed out that a team of police detectives from the Sule Tankarkar Division quickly arrested and detained the suspect. 

“He was later taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a discreet investigation. 

“During the interrogation, the suspect admitted to committing the alleged offence against him,” the statement added. 

Adam noted that a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect suffers from mental illness and has been receiving treatment at Kazaure Psychiatric Hospital. 

“The suspects further stated that the late grandmother upset him by expressing concern about his physical appearance and health, which he did not want. He warned her on several occasions but she refused. Thus, he purchased gasoline, poured and ignited her,” he added. 

He said the state commissioner of police, A.T. Abdullahi, had directed the SCID to thoroughly investigate the case and prosecute the perpetrator to serve as a deterrent to others.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Anti-Corruption and Public Complaints Commission has initiated an investigation into allegations of a N1.5 billion scholarship scam involving the Ministry of Higher Education.

The commission is currently interrogating two senior officials in connection with claims regarding 1,001 students purportedly studying in India and Uganda.

The Daily Reality gathered that the state government had sponsored these students for postgraduate degrees in India and Uganda as part of a foreign scholarship initiative launched by Governor Abba Yusuf.

Recently, Governor Yusuf hosted a farewell dinner for the first batch of 550 scholarship beneficiaries, and expressed his gratitude to former Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso for establishing the program.

However, it has come to light that only 418 students were actually sent abroad for their studies.

That raised concerns about the fate of the remaining students.

Kabiru A. Kabiru, the commission’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the ongoing investigation. He stated that the two officials were questioned regarding the alleged fraud.

He noted that preliminary findings have revealed suspicious activities linked to the Ministry of Higher Education’s handling of the postgraduate scholarship program.

“We have opened an investigation to uncover the truth. Those found culpable, regardless of their position, will face prosecution,” Kabiru asserted.

By Uzair Adam

During his inauguration at Eagle Square, Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared the end of the fuel subsidy, leading to a sharp increase in petrol prices from N198 to N540 per litre.

The president argued that the subsidy had become a hindrance to national progress, fueling corruption, and stated that funds previously allocated to it would be redirected to other sectors of the economy.

Tinubu explained the rationale behind the removal during a meeting with traditional rulers, as reported by The Daily Reality.

He stated, “We cannot continue to support smugglers and neighboring countries at our own expense.”

He described the subsidy as an economic burden that could bring Nigeria to its knees if not addressed.

However, this stance marks a significant departure from Tinubu’s previous criticism of the subsidy removal by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

As the national leader of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at the time, Tinubu had condemned the move, labeling it the “Jonathan tax” and accusing Jonathan of breaching his social contract with the Nigerian people.

In a strongly-worded piece, as gathered by Daily Trust on Sunday, Tinubu argued that the subsidy removal would plunge Nigerians into deeper hardship and criticized the economic policies driving the decision.

He had stated, “The people will become enslaved to greater misery. This crisis will bear Jonathan’s name and will be his legacy.”

Tinubu’s past opposition to the removal of fuel subsidies now stands in stark contrast to his own administration’s decision to abolish it.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Faisal Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, son of former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, is dead. 

The accident happened along the Kaduna-Zaria highway on Saturday evening. 

According to reports, the accident occurred along the Kaduna-Zaria highway this evening. 

He was taken to an undisclosed hospital, where he was declared dead. 

His father was at the hospital, and his corpse has been conveyed home for burial arrangements. 

Makarfi, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report. 

A civil engineer by training, Faisal attended Kaduna International School and then proceeded to Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State, for his secondary education.

He attended the University of Greenwich, London, for undergraduate and master’s degrees and enrolled for a PhD at the same institution.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a significant blow to fuel smugglers through Operation Whirlwind after confiscating two lorries, 1,046 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 12 drums of petroleum products.  

This was announced by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Aliyu Alajogun on October 9, 2024, in Yola, Adamawa State. 

Since its launch on June 10, 2024, Operation Whirlwind has been intensifying efforts across multiple border regions, which so far yielded substantial seizures in various locations, that include the North-West borders in the Sokoto-Kebbi axis, the South-West borders around the Seme-Badagry and Idiroko axis, and the southern borders in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.  

Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, having been represented by Alajogun, said, “Our ongoing operations have recorded substantial seizures in various locations.” 

The Customs chief announced the seizure of two lorries carrying smuggled petroleum products, 1,046 kegs filled with PMS, and 12 drums of petroleum products, with one suspect apprehended in connection with these smuggling activities. 

According to Adeniyi, “The full force of the law will be brought to bear on anyone caught smuggling our nation’s resources.”  

He also urged Nigerians, especially those in Adamawa and other border states, to support the operation.

He noted that “Your vigilance and cooperation are crucial in our collective efforts to safeguard our nation’s resources and ensure that the benefits of fuel price deregulation are fully realised by all Nigerians.” 

The seized products will be auctioned off at two petrol stations in Yola at ₦630 per litre. 

National Coordinator Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu lamented the negative consequences of aiding smugglers in their illegal activities.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has joined millions of well-wishers across the globe in celebrating the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs, His Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, CON, on the joyous occasion of his birthday. 

In a heartfelt message, Governor Mutfwang described the Gbong Gwom Jos as an exemplary and distinguished traditional ruler whose wealth of experience, both in public service and traditional leadership, has left an indelible mark on Plateau State and Nigeria at large.  

The Governor noted that Da Jacob Gyang Buba’s life has been a source of profound inspiration, characterised by his unwavering dedication to service, humility, and a deep-seated passion for the welfare of his people.  

He commended the traditional ruler’s extraordinary contributions to the socio-economic transformation of the state, especially his leadership in fostering community-driven initiatives aimed at self-reliance and economic empowerment. 

Governor Mutfwang specifically praised the Gbong Gwom Jos for his tireless advocacy in combating drug abuse and his commitment to empowering the youth of Plateau State.

His Majesty’s vision of a future where the younger generation thrives through hard work and enterprise has positioned him as a beacon of hope for many. 

Governor Mutfwang lauded the Gbong Gwom’s compassion and his efforts in uplifting the less privileged.

His Majesty’s enduring legacy of fairness, justice, and empathy, particularly in promoting peaceful inter-community relations, has greatly contributed to strengthening unity, peace, and harmony across the Plateau and beyond. 

On behalf of his family, the government, and the people of Plateau State, Governor Mutfwang extended his warmest congratulations to His Majesty, praying that this special day brings abundant joy and cherished moments with his family, loved ones, and admirers.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the successful completion of the federal government’s policy linking all phone numbers in the country to a National Identification Number (NIN).

The NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Aminu Maida, disclosed this during the 2024 annual corporate governance conference held in Lagos on Thursday.

Maida acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians encountered during the process but emphasized the benefits of the initiative.

“We have now fully implemented the government’s 2020 policy of linking phone numbers to NINs.

“Though the process was challenging for many, it is important to recognize the value it brings,” Maida said.

He further stated that every phone number in Nigeria is now associated with a verified NIN, enhancing security and accountability in telecommunications.

By Uzair Adam

The Senate has officially confirmed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan as the substantive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

His confirmation on Thursday followed President Bola Tinubu’s nomination, which was submitted to the Senate in August 2024.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Senator Abubakar Bello (APC Niger North), presented its report to the Red Chamber, affirming Pakistan’s suitability for the position.

Bello, a former governor of Niger State, highlighted Pakistan’s qualifications and his vast experience in Hajj operations.

After a voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Pakistan’s nomination was confirmed with the overwhelming support of lawmakers.

Professor Pakistan previously served as the Chairman of the Kano State Pilgrim’s Board, where he managed the largest contingent of pilgrims in Nigeria.

President Tinubu had formally nominated Pakistan for the role on August 19, 2024, through a statement by his former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, before transmitting the nomination to the Senate.