General News
NDLEA UNCOVERS CLANDESTINE DRUG LAB, MAKES MAJOR SEIZURES ACROSS NIGERIA
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have uncovered a clandestine laboratory used for the production of a potent synthetic strain of cannabis known as Colorado. The lab was located in a residential building at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos. The agency revealed that the operation was the culmination of months of intelligence gathering on locally produced Colorado, after several intercepted consignments earlier in the year indicated that the psychoactive substance, once imported, was now being manufactured domestically.
The raid, executed on October 30, led to the arrest of 30-year-old Stephen Kelechi Imoh, the alleged owner of the laboratory. Recovered from the building were substantial quantities of drugs and precursor chemicals, including 16.2 kilograms of freshly cooked Colorado, 1.7kg of ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol, 4.5kg of Potassium Carbonate, and 91 litres of Dibromobutane.
In a separate operation in Mushin, Lagos, NDLEA officers arrested 28-year-old Afeez Salisu, also known as Malu, on November 1. They seized 16.4kg of Ghana Loud and Colorado variants of cannabis from his enclave.
Another major breakthrough occurred at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport where a 20-year-old music artist, Godspower George Osahenrumwen, who performs as Steady Boy, was arrested. He was apprehended while attempting to take delivery of a consignment of Loud cannabis concealed in three imported bathtubs from the United States. The drugs weighed 77.2kg and were traced to a syndicate allegedly led by his manager, Zion Osazee Omigie, also known as Zee Money, who is currently at large.
Across the country, NDLEA operatives recorded several other significant seizures and arrests. In Kaduna State, they intercepted 84,710 tramadol capsules en route from Onitsha to Bauchi and arrested 27-year-old Musa Abdulkarim. Another suspect, 47-year-old Hamza Musa, was caught with 32,946 bottles of a new psychoactive substance, Akuskura, while 30-year-old Saidu Nafiu was nabbed with 131.5kg of skunk in Igabi LGA.
In Ogun State, a total of 1,779kg of skunk was recovered from three suspects: Seun Olaniyi, aged 24; Rauf Asogba, aged 28; and Ayinla Adeniyi, aged 50, in Abeokuta. Edo State saw the interception of two Sienna buses conveying 1,455kg of skunk at Uhunmwode LGA. Operatives in Ondo State seized 2,829kg of skunk from a female suspect, Mrs. Ige Olarewaju, and another 737kg from Samuel Adebayo.
In Kwara State, 532,600 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from a truck in Ilorin. Taraba State operatives seized 30,370 pills of tramadol and 177 grams of methamphetamine from two suspects conveying the drugs from Onitsha to Yola. In Bauchi State, 596.4kg of skunk was recovered from 46-year-old Jamilu Mustapha in Ningi LGA. In the Badagry area of Lagos, 76.5 litres of skuchies, a cocktail of skunk, opioids and blackcurrant, were recovered from 50-year-old Ige Oluwale.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA said its War Against Drug Abuse sensitization activities continued across schools, religious centres, and communities nationwide. Commending the officers for their resilience and professionalism, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to dismantle all drug cartels operating within Nigeria.
“We will continue to deny drug syndicates the benefits of their criminal enterprise and ensure the forfeiture of their assets to the Federal Government,” Marwa said.
General News
Alue-Do Festival Assault: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Condemns Attack on Women, Calls for Justice
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has strongly condemned the reported assault of women and girls during the Alue-Do Festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as “horrific” and unacceptable.
Reacting to viral footage from Ozoro, the First Lady expressed outrage over scenes showing young girls being physically and sexually assaulted, as well as subjected to degrading treatment during what was meant to be a cultural celebration.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, Mrs. Tinubu stressed that no tradition or custom should be used as justification for violating the dignity and rights of women and girls.
She commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force for making arrests in connection with the incident and urged authorities to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
The First Lady also called on victims to seek immediate medical and psychological support, offering prayers for their healing, peace, and strength in the aftermath of the ordeal.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and renewed calls for stricter measures to protect women and girls during cultural and public events across the country.
General News
World Water Day 2026: Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Gender Equity Through Improved Water Access
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collective action to promote gender equality through improved access to water and sanitation, as the world marks World Water Day 2026.
In a message commemorating the day, Senator Tinubu highlighted this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” emphasizing the strong link between water access and gender equity.
She noted that in many communities, women and girls bear the burden of sourcing water, often trekking long distances to streams, a situation that negatively impacts their education, health, and economic opportunities.
“When we ensure safe, clean, and accessible water, we do more than quench thirst; we open doors for girls to stay in school, for women to pursue livelihoods, and for families to live healthier lives,” she said.
The First Lady urged Nigerians to work together to ensure equitable access to water resources across the country, stressing that improved water systems can drive social and economic development.
She concluded by encouraging citizens to embrace the spirit of the global observance and reaffirm commitments toward building a more inclusive society.
“Let us work together to ensure that where water flows in Nigeria, equity truly grows,” she added.
World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable management of water resources worldwide.
Fresh hostilities in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict intensified early Sunday, with Iran launching strikes near Israel’s main nuclear research centre, leaving dozens injured and raising fears of wider regional escalation.
According to reports, missiles hit areas close to the nuclear facility in Dimona and the southern city of Arad. Rescue services confirmed that nearly 70 people were injured in Arad alone, with several in serious condition and multiple residential buildings severely damaged.
The Israeli military said it had begun retaliatory strikes targeting locations in Tehran, further escalating the conflict, which has now entered its fourth week.
Iran warned that any attack on its energy facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes on U.S. and Israeli infrastructure across the region. The threat followed a statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that the United States could target Iranian power plants if Tehran fails to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iranian authorities described such threats as provocative, vowing a firm response if carried out.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones targeting its territory, including areas near key oil installations, with no casualties reported. In a separate incident, a projectile struck near a commercial vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, causing an explosion but leaving the crew unharmed.
Iran’s state media reported that the death toll within the country has surpassed 1,500 since the conflict began, raising humanitarian concerns. Legal experts have also warned that targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants could violate international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as “a very difficult moment,” as emergency teams continued search-and-rescue operations in affected areas.
In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels warned they could join the conflict if attacks against Iran intensify, cautioning that further escalation could disrupt global energy supplies and economic stability.
Despite diplomatic signals, including a temporary U.S. move to ease sanctions on Iranian oil shipments, there are no clear signs of de-escalation, with both sides continuing military operations. Analysts warn the conflict risks expanding into a broader regional war with significant global implications.