Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a potent strain of cannabis, on New Year’s Day.

The drug was concealed in boxing kits imported from the United States of America. A subsequent intelligence-led operation led to the arrest of Olorunfunmi Olakunle, a 38-year-old individual responsible for distributing the psychoactive substance to dealers across Lagos State.

Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for NDLEA, stated that the consignment arrived on January 1 via Cairo on an Egypt Airlines flight, marked as boxing kits. Olakunle revealed that he delivered such consignments whenever his childhood friend, Sagir Salami based in the US, sent them. The intercepted shipment had a total weight of 1.80 kilograms.

In a separate operation, a 28-year-old female supplier of ammunition to bandits, Bilkisu Suleman, was arrested by NDLEA operatives along the Zaria–Kano Expressway. She was found in possession of 249 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition concealed in her handbag. Bilkisu intended to deliver the ammunition to an identified bandit in Kakumi village, Katsina State.

The NDLEA also reported the transfer of a suspect, Francis Suru, and 63 jumbo bags of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 2,104.2 kilograms and a truck to the Lagos State Command. The military authorities at Bonny Camp Cantonment in Lagos transferred the suspect and drug exhibits after they were initially intercepted by NDLEA officers near the cantonment on December 12, 2023.

In other operations, NDLEA operatives in Niger State intercepted a J5 bus coming from Ondo State to Zaria, Kaduna State, with 23 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 219.5kg. In various arrests across different states, suspects were apprehended with significant quantities of cannabis and other illicit drugs.

These efforts reflect the NDLEA’s ongoing commitment to curbing drug trafficking and related criminal activities across Nigeria.

On a disturbing event, on Sunday night at around 7:30 pm, gunmen broke into Sagwari Layout Estate on the Dutse axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and abducted at least ten people.

Witnesses stated that the invasion was carried out by the kidnappers, who were dressed as herders. Eight individuals were removed from the estate, and two more employees were kidnapped from a nearby hotel.

After successfully sending a distress message to the estate’s WhatsApp group, one of the victims expressed worries for his family’s safety and quickly cut off contact.

The security officers have begun searching the hills behind the estate with assistance from estate security staff.

A security operative who was beaten and tied by the kidnappers has been rescued.

FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, could not be reached for comments. Repeated calls made to her phone were left unanswered.

However, a call placed on the Police emergency call centre, revealed that the command was aware of the incident, and the closest DPO had been informed to mobilise men to the scene.

The National Inland Water Authority (NIWA) has confirmed a devastating boat mishap in Umumu Anam, Anambra State, resulting in the tragic loss of eight lives. The incident occurred as the passenger boat, en route from Idah in Kogi State to Onitsha in Anambra State, encountered a snag on the water channel, leading to its capsizing.

NIWA General Manager Corporate Affairs, Jibril Darda’u, conveyed the unfortunate news in a statement, stating that the incident took place between Thursday, the 4th, and Friday, the 5th of January, 2024, at approximately 7 a.m.

Upon receiving the distressing report, NIWA promptly deployed relevant personnel from the marine department to conduct rescue operations, recover bodies, and conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

“Preliminary reports indicated that the wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with about 50 passengers on board,” the statement revealed. Tragically, eight individuals lost their lives at the scene, while 38 others were successfully rescued.

NIWA reassured the public of its commitment to ensuring safer inland waterways, emphasizing ongoing recovery efforts. The Authority expressed sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, extending prayers for the repose of their souls.

The statement concluded by reaffirming NIWA’s dedication to implementing measures that guarantee the safety of inland water transportation, pledging to provide detailed information as soon as field officers complete their investigation and report back to headquarters.

Pastor Clinton John of the Mega World Healing Ministry in Giwa Agbado, Ogun State, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl.

The pastor is accused of engaging in unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl since November 2022 when she was barely 14 years old. The victim revealed that the 43-year-old pastor had threatened to kill her if she disclosed the affair.

The family became suspicious of possible sexual assault when the victim, who had been treated for recurring infections, exhibited frightful tendencies. The family reported the incident to the police, leading to Pastor Clinton John’s arrest. The suspect has confessed to the crime during interrogation.

The victim has been issued medical forms for treatment and examination. Pastor Clinton John will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department Eleweran for further investigation. This comes amid ongoing concerns about sexual assault cases, emphasizing the need for awareness, protection, and legal action against such crimes.