The Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, General Buba Marwa (rtd) has lauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) for its pivotal role in cleansing the country of illicit drugs. 

Marwa who was represented by the Director of Narcotics, Samuel Gazama at the handing over of illicit drugs to the agency stressed the severe societal threat posed by Cannabis Sativa and affirmed the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to collaboration with the NCS in the relentless fight against drug trafficking. 

“We will not relent until our battles on drug trafficking are achieved,” Gazama stated.

 NCS delivered a blow to drug cartels operating within the nation’s coastal waters and land borders by handing over hard substances, suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and Tramadol, to NDLEA. 

The handover ceremony occurred on Thursday, 23 November 2023, at the Customs Warehouse in Karu, Abuja.

During a joint press briefing, Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC  Adewale Adeniyi MFR, disclosed that the illicit substances were seized in operations conducted by the Western Marine Command, FOU Zone ‘A,’ and Zone ‘B’ formations. Notable contributors to this effort included the Ogun 1 Area Command and Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C.’

The CGC stated that the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) solidified their commitment to combat drug trafficking by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 4 April 2023.

CGC Adeniyi emphasized the significance of community support in the battle against drug trafficking, stating, “This is a battle for every citizen.” He detailed the seized items, including 13,567 parcels of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘A,’ 1,511 parcels and 292 bags of Indian Hemp from Zone ‘B,’ and 3,213 parcels and blocks, along with 935 sacks of Cannabis Sativa from Zone ‘C’.

From Ogun I Command, 2,223 wraps and 144 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing a total of 3,312.7kg, were seized. Additionally, the Western Marine Command contributed with 2,205 parcels weighing 624kg.

 …Arraigned alongside his company, Howard Minnis Asset Management Ltd.***

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arraigned a businessman, Uchenna Minnis, before an Ikeja Special Offences Court for alleged N822.4 million fraud.

Minnis was arraigned alongside his company, Howard Minnis Asset Management Ltd., on a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretence and dishonest conversion.

The EFCC counsel, Mr Mohammed Bashir, told the court that the accused and his company allegedly committed the offences sometime in 2023.

He said the accused allegedly dishonestly converted the sum of N822.4 million to his own use, property of Krystal Lubes Ltd.

Bashir alleged that the sum was paid to the accused for the purchase of 900,000 litres of SN 900 Base Oil and 500,000 litres of SN 500 Base Oil at the rate of N970 per litre.

The prosecutor also alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained the said money from Krystal Lube Ltd. under the guise that the money would be used for the purchase of 900,000 litres of SN 900 Base Oil and 500,000 litres of SN 500 Base Oil at the rate of N970 per litre, a representation he knew to be false.

According to him, the alleged offences contravene Sections 1 (3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 285 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.

Bashir urged the court to remand the accused in a correctional centre until the next adjourned date.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Kester Elebesunu, however, told the court that since the fresh facts had been raised in the charge sheet, he would be asking for a short adjournment to enable him to respond to the issues raised.

He said a bail application for his client had been filed before the court, and pleaded that his client should rather be remanded in the EFCC’s custody.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, acquiesced to the defence counsel’s plea, ordering the remand of the accused in the EFCC’s custody.

He adjourned the case until Nov. 30, for the hearing of the bail application and for the commencement of trial.

Residents of 13 villages sacked by bandits in the southern part of Kebbi have returned home following the restoration of relative peace in the areas.

The 13 villages are Sawade, Bakin Gulunbi, Mai Kpanu, Malekachi, Sakawa, and Sabongida, Kauran mai Zanma, Luga, Angela Kibiya, Angela Dado, Tsirinda, Kasama, and Ma’ako.

Alhaji Ahmed Idris, media aide to Gov. Nasir Idris made the declaration in a statement he issued on Monday in Birnin Kebbi,

He quoted the chairman of Danko Wasagu Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Hussaini-Bena, as confirming the return of the villagers.

“All the villagers sacked from their homes in the last three years have been resettled and have continued with their normal businesses,’’ Idris quoted the council chairman as saying.

Hussaini-Bena commended Gov. Idris and security agencies for making the resettlement possible and for providing security in the areas.

He expressed delight at security agencies’ resolve to completely dislodge bandits from the state.

“Previously, none of our people could sleep; none could go to the markets and nobody was going to the farm.

“Now, even villages in neighbouring Niger and Zamfara are enjoying the restoration of security in Kebbi,’’ he said.

Idris also quoted Hussaini-Bena as saying that Bena Market which collects highest internally-generated revenue in Kebbi had been re-opened for commercial activities.

“Bandits dislodged people in the southern part of Kebbi in the past four years; the bandits burned houses and property worth millions of Naira.

“Danko Wasagu, Sakaba and Fakai Local Government Areas in Zuru Emirate had been facing insecurity challenges also, but people are returning to their homes in those areas,’’ the council chairman also said.

Hussaini-Bena said Danko Wasagu Local Government Area had the largest number of refugees because it shared a border with Zamfara and Niger..