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.
General News
Court Fixes May 18 for Trial of Man Accused of Calling for Coup
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.
Education
Lagos School Building Collapse: Students Recount Narrow Escape
Students of a primary and comprehensive college in the Ogba area of Lagos have shared their terrifying experience after a section of a classroom block collapsed within the school premises on Monday.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m., sending panic across the school as students and teachers rushed for safety when the structure suddenly came down.
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were recorded. However, the collapse caused confusion within the school compound as students hurriedly fled the area.
The affected building is located along Adudatu Street, behind County Hospital in the Aguda area of Ogba.
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said the incident happened during a controlled demolition exercise on the already distressed building. Despite this explanation, some eyewitnesses described the moment as chaotic, with students screaming and running out of the premises.
A fire service official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the students had been evacuated from the building before the demolition began.
Some students, however, said they heard a loud cracking sound before the structure collapsed.
One of the students, Emmanuel, said he was in class when he suddenly heard the alarming sound.
“I was in class when I heard a loud cracking sound. The next thing we saw was dust everywhere. We were out for lunch when it happened and I ran quickly into another classroom block,” he said.
Another student, 14-year-old Blessing, said the collapse caused thick dust to fill the air, heightening panic among students.
“I thought the collapse might affect other classrooms, so I ran out of the school compound as fast as I could,” she said.
The school population is estimated to be between 600 and 800 students.
Following the incident, members of the state emergency response team secured the premises and restricted access to the affected area.
Residents in the neighbourhood said concerns had previously been raised about the condition of the building after parts of its roof reportedly began to fall off.
Shakiru Amodu of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the building had earlier shown signs of structural distress and was marked for demolition.
According to him, all students had been evacuated before the demolition process began, which prevented casualties.
“The affected building had earlier shown signs of distress and was marked for demolition. All the students had been evacuated before the exercise began, so no one was injured and no life was lost,” Amodu said.
He added that the agency later secured the scene and restricted movement around the area.
General News
US Warns of Possible Threat to Facilities, Schools in Nigeria
The United States government has issued a security alert warning of a possible threat to American facilities and affiliated schools in Nigeria.
In a notice released on Monday, the US State Department said the US Embassy in Abuja had informed American citizens about a potential terrorist threat targeting US-linked locations in the country.
“The US Embassy in Abuja informs US citizens of a possible terrorist threat against US facilities and US-affiliated schools in Nigeria,” the notice stated.
The embassy advised American nationals to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to enhance their safety.
“Increasing awareness of your surroundings, avoiding predictable routines, and reviewing general security precautions with your family can help reduce your risk,” the statement added.
However, the US authorities did not disclose the source or specific details of the alleged threat.
The warning comes amid heightened global security concerns following recent tensions in the Middle East. The United States had earlier issued a worldwide security alert after Washington and Israel launched attacks on Iran, which reportedly responded with missile and drone strikes against US-aligned countries.
The development has raised fears of possible retaliatory actions against American interests in different parts of the world, including Nigeria.
