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NDLEA recovers 8,268kg of cocaine, heroin, skunk across 7 states

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have seized a total of 8,268.2311kilograms of assorted illicit drugs including cocaine, heroin, tramadol, methamphetamine and skunk among others in a weeklong coordinated raids across seven states, namely; Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Enugu, Bauchi Edo and Anambra.

At least, 15 drug dealers including a woman on wheelchair were arrested during the offensive action operations, which began on Sunday 1st August and lasted till Saturday 7th August, 2021 in the seven states. The raids aimed at mopping up illicit drugs in the affected states followed intelligence and as part of the ongoing offensive action ordered by the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) against all drug cartels across the country.

The bulk of the seized drugs were recovered from Ondo and Edo states. In Akure, the Ondo state capital, a 27-year-old Omokayode Adedayo was on Friday 6th August arrested along Oda road, Akure South Local Government Area with a cocktail of illicit substances including cannabis sativa, cocaine, methamphetamine, tramadol, swinol, and designer drug.

The previous day, Thursday 5th August, men of the Nigerian Army had intercepted 1,025kg of cannabis in Toyota Sequoia numbered FST 169 BW and a Toyota Sienna with APP 918 FA as registration number, at a checkpoint in Isua Akoko, where two fake police officers; Stephen Sunday and Eze Ezenwa were also arrested with 575kg of cannabis being conveyed in a Sienna bus with a fake police registration number NPF 1651D. The suspects and exhibits were promptly handed over to the Ondo state command of the agency along with a cash exhibit of N148, 300.

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This was preceded by a raid carried out by operatives of the Ondo state command at Egbeta community, a border town between Ondo and Edo states, where a total of 6,332kilograms of cannabis sativa were recovered and two suspects; Emeka Ossai and Raphael Henry arrested.

In Akwa Ibom state, raids in parts of the state led to the recovery of 64.903kg of illicit drugs including 1. 2031kg crack cocaine from a 26-year-old Nwoye Ogbonna Solomon, the biggest cocaine seizure in the history of the state.

In Adamawa state, a drug dealer, Ikechukwu Onuh was arrested at Jimeta, Yola on Thursday 5th August with 14.400kg of tramadol packaged as diclofenac to evade detection.

In Enugu, a total of 19.08kg of cocaine and skunk was recovered from three suspects including a 35-year-old cripple, Iyiogwe Chinenye and 25-year-old Aja Chidi David. Different quantities of cocaine and heroin were also seized from an 18-year-old drug dealer, Jude Chinedu during raids at Inland town area of Onitsha, Anambra state.

While 59.3kilograms of a psychotropic substance, pentazocine was intercepted in a bus from Jos, Plateau state to Bauchi with the courier arrested, over 148.808kg of different variants of skunk, some of which were meant for students of Igbinendon University, Okada and Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, were recovered from two dealers; Sunday Ojodale Oguche, 21, and Endurance Ehigie, 23 on Wednesday 4th August.

Meanwhile, different quantities of tramadol, methamphetamine and skunk going to the UK, Australia, New Zealand and UAE have been intercepted in two courier firms in Lagos by narcotic officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation, DOGI, in the agency.

Reacting to the outcome of the raids, Gen. Marwa commended the officers and men of the seven commands and DOGI for their diligence and charged them not to rest on their oars. He said the nationwide offensive action would continue across all commands until the last gram of illicit drug is retrieved from the street.

 

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Holds Exclusive Prerogative to Choose Deputy – Malam Inuwa Waya

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Malam Inuwa Waya, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, has reaffirmed that the constitutional prerogative to appoint a new Deputy Governor rests solely with His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Speaking to journalists in Kano, Malam Waya cautioned against undue interference from individuals on social media who have been attempting to dictate the Governor’s choice following the resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.

“It is only Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf who has the prerogative to choose his deputy. People should stop coming to social media to tell him who to appoint. The constitution does not mandate him to select from any particular zone; it is entirely his decision,” Malam Waya stated.

He further explained that while political balancing may encourage consideration of candidates from Kano North or South since the Governor hails from Kano Central, such arrangements remain political strategies rather than constitutional requirements.

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Malam Waya also commended Governor Yusuf’s infrastructural strides, noting that within two years, the administration has revived water projects, advanced public-private partnerships in power, and accelerated development across education, agriculture, and investment.

“The Governor has revived the glory of Kano. With the infrastructure projects ongoing, it will be an easy sail for all of us as we prepare for 2027. He has put Kano first, and that is what matters,” he said.

On the issue of inclusivity, Malam Waya emphasized that all stakeholders, including former APC members, are being carried along in governance. He urged the people of Kano to unite behind the Governor’s vision.

“We, the old APC members, have no problem with Governor Yusuf. We are knit together in Kano, and our priority is Kano first, not any individual. The Governor knows who he will pick as his deputy, and we trust his judgment,” he concluded.

Malam Waya also extended prayers for the acceptance of Ramadan fasting and congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Kano for celebrating Sallah peacefully.

 

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ADC Reports Surge in Membership Following Kwankwaso’s Defection, Calls Him ‘Game Changer’

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially welcomed former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into its fold, touting his defection as a pivotal move that strengthens a growing coalition for political realignment in Nigeria.

In a statement released for immediate effect, the party described Kwankwaso as a “game-changer,” announcing that he has directed his network of supporters nationwide to join the ADC. According to the party, this call has already triggered a significant uptick in registrations on its online platform over the past 24 hours.

The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, framed the defection as part of a broader recognition among Nigerians of the need for a credible political alternative. The statement emphasized Kwankwaso’s experience in governance, grassroots influence, and capacity to unify as assets to the party’s ambition to “rebuild Nigeria.”

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Notably, the ADC highlighted the presence of several high-profile leaders at the defection event, including the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark; National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and leading presidential aspirants such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. Their attendance, the party stated, reflects a united front and growing momentum.

The party characterized the surge in online registrations as evidence that Nigerians are aligning with what it called a “different path forward.” In its appeal to Kwankwaso’s supporters and the broader public, the ADC positioned itself as a vehicle for restoring dignity, opportunity, and public trust in governance.

“Change does not happen by chance,” the statement concluded. “It happens when people come together with purpose.”

The development marks a significant realignment in Nigeria’s opposition political landscape, with the ADC seeking to position itself as a converging point for influential politicians and their followings ahead of future elections.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Resigns to Pursue Bauchi Governorship Election

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from his position in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue the governorship of Bauchi State in the 2027 election.

Tuggar submitted his resignation on Monday, in compliance with a presidential directive requiring all political appointees with electoral ambitions to vacate their posts by the March 31, 2026, deadline.

The directive, issued through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It affects ministers, advisers, and heads of federal agencies intending to contest in the 2027 general elections.

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Reports have it that his resignation positions him to seek the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Bauchi State gubernatorial race.

Tuggar’s entry is expected to significantly reshape the state’s political landscape, intensifying an already competitive contest for the APC nomination. His background as a career diplomat and serving minister is seen by political observers as a potential advantage, offering national visibility and extensive political networks.

With less than 24 hours remaining before the deadline, additional resignations from the Federal Executive Council are anticipated as other appointees move to formalize their electoral ambitions.

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