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N4.7billion Cocaine, Meth Seized As NDLEA Bursts Lagos Warehouse, Arrests Siblings In Aba

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced that its special operation unit has taken down a cartel controlled by a drug baron, 49-year-old Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi, and his 50-year-old elder sister, Ms. Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi.

The NDLEA said the development followed the arrest of the suspects’ siblings and the seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine consignments worth over N4.1 billion in street value from their hideout in Aba, Abia State.

Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, stated in a statement on Sunday that the special operation conducted on Thursday, 13th, and Friday, 14th June 2024, at 3B Boundary Avenue, Aba, and a residence along Ohia Road, Ohia, Abia State, followed months of intelligence gathering, leading to the arrest of the ring leaders and the combined seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine from them.

Babafemi also announced that the NDLEA operatives in Lagos State have uncovered an expansive warehouse stocked with a large consignment of codeine-based syrup, located in the Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri. Four persons connected with the importation and distribution of the opioid were arrested during an intelligence-led raid on the facility.

According to him, those arrested include Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bonaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56.

He said that a total of 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600 million in street value, along with a Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses used for distributing the substance, were recovered from the premises on Monday, 10th June 2024, when NDLEA officers conducted the operation.

“Two days later, on Wednesday, 12th June, operatives intercepted another suspect, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, with 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids, as well as 3.9 liters of codeine syrup at Alaba Suru, Ojo Local Council Area of the state,” he said.

Announcing other interceptions and seizures, Babafemi said: “A total of 230,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg were recovered from the duo of Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, who are major distributors of illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa states, when they were arrested on Monday, 10th June at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano. In the same vein, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was nabbed with 150 bottles of codeine syrup at Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano on Tuesday, 11th June.

“In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives on Monday, 10th June seized 390kg of cannabis and arrested the trio of Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad, and Samaila Rabe during an early morning raid at Ibese area of the state, while officers on Wednesday, 12th June busted a skuchies making factory at Sabo area of Shagamu town where seven suspects were arrested. They include Kareem Jamiu; Oriyimi Ayo; Bamidele Wasiu; Rasheed Olarewaju; Ramota Lawal; Amudalat Olarewaju; and Adeniyi Omotosho. Exhibits recovered from them include 387 liters of skuchies, 70 liters of industrial codeine, 25kg cannabis, and different quantities of tramadol, rohypnol, diazepam, as well as various equipment used in the production of the new psychoactive substance.

“Not less than 10,534.78 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on 4.213912 hectares of farmland on Wednesday, 12th June when NDLEA officers raided Uhen forest in Ovia North East council area of Edo State where four suspects: Frank Ishoku, 38; Clifford Ossai, 49; Vanger Timothy, 30; and John Peter Oluwaseyi, 30, were nabbed and 16kg processed cannabis was recovered for the purpose of prosecution.”

He continued: “In a similar development, 18,425kg of the same psychoactive substance on 7.37 hectares of farmland was destroyed by NDLEA operatives supported by personnel of other security agencies in the thick forest of Ise Ekiti, Ekiti State on Friday, 14th June.

“In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, two suspects: Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, were arrested with 3,550 bottles of ‘Akuskura,’ a new mixture of psychotropic substances, by operatives during a raid on Friday, 14th June at Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale, both within the FCT.

“While Emmanuel Ogechi, 24, was nabbed with 11,200 pills of tramadol on Wednesday, 12th June along Otukpo-Enugu road, by NDLEA operatives in Benue State, Anayo Onwe, 40, was arrested with 62.4kg of cannabis sativa at Nteje just as 1kg of methamphetamine belonging to a fleeing suspect, in Oraifite, both in Anambra State, was seized. In Kwara State, Muhammed Musa, 24, was arrested with 33kg of cannabis at Bode-Saadu, Jebba, while Shokuro Adeola, 59, was nabbed with 11.5kg of the same substance along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Oyo State.”

Reacting to the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of the Special Operation Unit, Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Ekiti, Oyo, Kwara, Anambra, Benue, and FCT Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures.

Marwa noted that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country are well appreciated. He urged them not to rest on their oars but to continue to intensify ongoing drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

 

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Petrol Crisis: Tell Nigerians Your Price – Marketers Tell Dangote Refinery

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Nigeria’s petroleum marketers have asked Dangote Refinery to unveil the price of its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) to Nigerians.

The President of the Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, Billy Gillis-Harry and the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN Abubakar Maigandi disclosed this to DAILY POST in separate interviews on Thursday.

The petroleum marketers were reacting to a statement by the Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin that local marketers were boycotting Dangote Refinery petrol for imported ones despite its lower prices.

However, Gillis-Harry explained that marketers have yet to know the price of Dangote Refinery’s petrol which they claim has lower prices than imported ones.

According to him, petroleum marketers in Nigeria are willing to patronize Dangote Refinery Petrol based on a fair price.

“Why don’t Dangote Refinery give us a price list of what his price is? They cannot tell the price of Dangote Refinery’s PMS which they claim is cheaper than imported petrol. What is the price of DRL petrol?

“How come they are saying marketers are boycotting their petrol? We don’t know how much Dangote is selling its petrol.

“We are willing to partner with him but we partner on the basis that we would be able to sell with a human face”, he said.

On his part, Madigan said that local marketers can’t boycott Dangote Refinery’s petrol as claimed by Edwin.

He stressed that oil marketers were yet to know the price of Dangote Refinery’s petrol.

According to him, petroleum marketers are ready to patronize Dangote Refinery petrol provided the price is not more than the price they are currently buying

“We don’t know the price of Dangote Refinery’s Petrol. We are ready to buy Petrol from Dangote Refinery in any condition provided the price is not more than the price we are getting from other places”, he said.

He added that marketers buy Petrol at various prices depending on location.

Recall that the president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, while announcing the rollout of his petrol in the first week of September said that the price will be determined by the Federal Executive Council headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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Polaris Bank Inducted Premium Member of Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce

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Polaris Bank has been inducted a premium member of the prestigious Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), marking another milestone in the Bank’s journey towards enhancing profitable trade between businesses in Nigeria and promoting global commercial partnerships with businesses in United Kingdom.

The induction ceremony which took place recently in Lagos with few other enterprises has swelled current membership of the Chamber representing a broad sectoral spectrum of top players operating in the banking; consulting; education, energy, pharmaceuticals, oil & Gas, Trading, health, manufacturing companies, among many others.

The Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal speaking at the induction expressed gratitude to the Chamber for the recognition and highlighted Polaris Bank’s commitment to “leveraging this platform to drive sustainable economic development and deeper engagement with stakeholders.”

“Distinguished guests, members of the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce, and esteemed colleagues, it is truly an honour to accept this induction, on behalf of Polaris Bank. Being part of this esteemed Chamber is a significant milestone for us, as it aligns with our vision to build stronger partnerships and contribute meaningfully to the growth of trade and investment between businesses in Nigeria and the UK.”

He further added that Polaris Bank is committed to using its membership of the NBCC to exchange innovative ideas and provide long-term and mutually beneficial relationships that promote growth of businesses in Nigeria and beyond.

“We are available for business and ready to work with stakeholders to ensure impactful and a win-win collaboration,” Mr. Lawal reiterated.

The Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce continues to play a critical role in promoting trade relations and investment between Nigeria and the UK, and Polaris Bank’s induction reflects the Bank’s strategic focus on contributing to these bilateral efforts.

Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2023, 2022 and 2021 and MSME Bank of the Year 2022 and 2023 in Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI)
Awards.

Photo caption:
From right: Mr. Kayode Lawal, Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, receiving on behalf of the bank, Premium Membership Certificate into Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) from Mr. Kayode Falowo, NBCC’s Ex-President/Chairman, Greenwich Merchant Bank in Lagos recently.

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Seven Day Curfew Declared Over Monarch Owa Obokun’s Death

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A seven-day curfew has been imposed in six local government areas of Osun State following the death of Oba Adekunle Gabriel Aromolaran, the Owa Obokun of Ijesa land.

The 87-year-old monarch passed away on Wednesday evening after a brief illness, ending his 42-year reign.

The affected local government areas, which constitute Ijesa land are Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Ori-Ade, and Obokun.

The Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa, Oba Oyebade Samson Kehinde Oyeleye, speaking on behalf of the Owa-in-Council and kingmakers, announced that the curfew will run from 10 pm to 6 am daily, effective Thursday

Additionally, all markets in the affected areas will be closed for three days.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, expressed his condolences over the monarch’s death.

He described the late Oba as “a father figure, a pillar of support, and a teacher” committed to the development of Ijesa land and Osun State.

Adeleke added, “Kabiyesi was a deeply selfless father, who took no prisoners when it came to matters of development and wellbeing of the people. He was a friend of good governance, no matter the colour or race.

“The last time I was with him was the flag off of the dualisation of Brewery – Palace road. I am glad our late erudite scholar witnessed a new phase of development for Ijeshaland.”

Former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, praised the late monarch’s contributions to the state and nation.

“Kabiesi was known for brilliance, bravery and bluntness as these virtues, exhibited throughout his reign, culminated to many successes recorded not only in Ijesaland but in the state and the country as a whole.

“No doubt, the departed Aromolaran was an epitome of culture, character, integrity and dignity. Being the symbol of Ijesas, he spent all his entire life to serve God and humanity. His over 42 years reign indeed witnessed a myriad of developments cutting across different aspects of life,” said Oyetola.

Prince Dotun Babayemi, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun West Senatorial District, described the monarch’s passing as a big loss.

“Late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran was a highly principled traditional ruler whose body of knowledge and reign, will never be forgotten in our history.

“He occupied his space robustly and contributed immensely to the growth and development of our dear state, Osun and beyond,” stated Babayemi.

Governor Ademola AdelekeOba Adekunle Gabriel Aromolaran IIOba Oyebade Samson Kehinde Oyeleye

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