General News
NDLEA Seizes 500 Bomb-Making Components, Cameroonian With Cannabis in Kogi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a consignment of 500 components used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Kogi State, while also arresting a Cameroonian national transporting a shipment of cannabis.
According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the IED components were found along the Mokwa–Jebba Road in Niger State, inside a commercial bus traveling from Ibadan. The intended recipient, Osama Abdullahi, 21, was apprehended in Pelegi, Mashegu Local Government Area.
In a separate operation on March 3, NDLEA officers intercepted 1.550 kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain, hidden in a standing fan carton along the Kabba–Obajana highway in Kogi State. The suspect, Mey Ali Muhamat, 36, a Cameroonian from Maroua, was arrested while traveling from Lagos to Cameroon via Lokoja, Kano, and Maiduguri.
Other notable seizures include:
Abuja: Emeka Hyginus Okwor, 32, caught transporting 1,000 Tapentadol 250mg pills concealed in baby diapers, destined for Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State.
Yola: 122,000 tramadol pills and 700g of methamphetamine hidden in a truck transporting local drinks.
Kano: Muhammed Ali, 20, arrested with 11,283 tramadol pills at Gadar Tamburawa.
Ogun: Two suspects, Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa, held with 46 kg of skunk in Ogere community.
Delta: Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22, arrested with 18.63 kg of skunk, 10.8 liters of codeine syrup, and 4,268 pills of tramadol and swinol.
Edo: NDLEA destroyed cannabis farms in Egbisi Forest, Uhunmwonde LGA, seizing 1,910.25 kg of skunk and arresting Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49. Another suspect, Alaba Adeboye, 47, was apprehended in Ikhin with 176.5 kg of skunk.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across Lagos, FCT, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Edo, Ogun, Delta, and Adamawa for their dedication in curbing drug trafficking and related crimes. He urged operatives to maintain the agency’s balanced strategy of enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated on Tuesday after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that it would prevent oil shipments from leaving the Middle East if the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian targets continue.
According to Iranian state media, the Revolutionary Guards said they would not allow “one litre of oil” to be exported from the region until the military operations against Iran are halted, raising fears of a major disruption to global energy supplies.
The warning prompted a sharp response from the U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened severe retaliation if Tehran attempts to block oil exports, particularly through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the United States would strike Iran “twenty times harder” if it interferes with the flow of oil through the critical shipping route.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, with roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passing through the narrow waterway daily. Any disruption could trigger sharp increases in oil prices and widespread economic instability.
The latest exchange of threats comes amid an escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, which has already disrupted shipping and energy markets across the region. Iran has launched missile and drone attacks in retaliation for joint U.S.–Israeli strikes, while Western governments warn the situation could significantly affect global oil supplies.
Energy analysts say an Iranian blockade of Middle Eastern oil exports could have catastrophic consequences for global markets, given the region’s central role in supplying crude oil to Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world.
Despite the heated rhetoric, global markets have shown cautious optimism that the conflict may de-escalate, with some investors betting that diplomatic or military developments could bring the crisis to an end before it severely damages the global economy.
The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to exchange warnings, raising concerns about the risk of a broader regional confrontation and its potential impact on international energy security.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the nomination of Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance.
The request was contained in a letter read during plenary by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in accordance with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires Senate confirmation for ministerial appointments.
President Tinubu nominated Oyedele last week to replace Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State. The new role marks her third portfolio since joining the administration.
Oyedele, 50, is from Ikaram in Akoko area of Ondo State. Before his nomination, he served as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, where he played a key role in efforts to reform and modernize Nigeria’s tax system.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 18 for the commencement of trial of a man, Innocent Chukwuma, accused of using social media to call on the military to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter on Monday following a request by the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, who asked the court for more time to study the case file.
Kaswe told the court during the resumed hearing that he had only recently been briefed on the matter after the Department of State Services (DSS) transferred the case file to his office.
He therefore requested an adjournment to enable him properly review the file before proceeding with the trial.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case to May 18 and May 19 for trial.
Chukwuma had earlier been arraigned before the court over an alleged post on social media considered to be inciting.
Reports indicate that operatives of the Department of State Services tracked him to Oyigbo in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he was arrested.
The charge before the court, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, is between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly posted on his X handle, “@TheAgroman,” calling for a coup in Nigeria and urging the military to suspend the current government.
Part of the post reportedly read: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
The trial is expected to begin on the next adjourned date.