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NDLEA raids Lagos hotel, recovers N1.042billion illicit drug consignments …Intercepts over 2million pills of tramadol in Kano, Jigawa; another Saudi-bound cocaine in body cream; arrests 3 Ghanaian ladies for cross border trafficking

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NDLEA raids Lagos hotel, recovers N1.042billion illicit drug consignments

…Intercepts over 2million pills of tramadol in Kano, Jigawa; another Saudi-bound cocaine in body cream; arrests 3 Ghanaian ladies for cross border trafficking

An 80-room new hotel in Victoria Island Lagos used as cover for distributing illicit substances has been raided by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who after hours of combing the rooms recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a total weight of 417.3 kilograms worth One Billion Forty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,042,500,000) only in street value.
At least, three suspects: Eze Ayitu; Ofuokwu Samuel; and Emmanuel Ameh were arrested in the course of the operation at the five-storey hotel building between Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April 2025 while two other suspects: Noble Philip and his partner Kenneth are currently at large.

Items suspected to be proceeds of illicit drug trade recovered from the premises housing The Hook Hotel also known as Caesar Hotel and Caesar Lounge located at 16 Waziri Ibrahim street, off Elsie Femi Pearse street, Victoria Island, Lagos, include: Toyota Prado Landcruiser Jeep (Lagos AKD 472 OZ); Toyota Sienna Vehicle (Lagos KJA 79 HJ); Volkswagen Delivery Van (Lagos AAA 525 JE); Kia Ceranto Car (Lagos BDG 860 GQ); Grand Caravan Dodge (Lagos APP 847 YF); 74 new TV sets; 10 used TV sets; and 13 refrigerators, among others.
In another major interdiction in Jigawa state with a follow up operation in Kano, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence on Wednesday 23rd April seized consignments of opioids being moved from Kano to Niger Republic and Yobe state through Jigawa. The
psychoactive substances were being moved in a Toyota Sienna vehicle marked ABJ 182 NW at about 2:30am on Wednesday along Kano- Ringim road, Gumel town when anti-narcotic officers on patrol intercepted them with two suspects: Abba Ibrahim, 28, and Shuaibu Umar, 29 arrested.

Recovered from the Sienna vehicle were 200,000 pills of tramadol 250mg and 217,500 capsules of pregabalin. A swift follow up operation in Kano led to the arrest of the supplier, 41-year-old Jamilu Muhammad, at his residence located at Mil Tara, Layin Technical area of Kano while additional 1,584,000 pills of tramadol 250mg stacked inside a Nissan 18-seater bus marked DAL 372 XA and a room in his house were discovered and evacuated. This brings the total number of the recovered opioids to 2,001,500 pills.

Barely a week after NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) uncovered 20 parcels of cocaine concealed inside religious books going to Saudi Arabia at a logistics company in Lagos, the operatives have again intercepted another shipment of 46 wraps of cocaine weighing 547grams hidden in body cream going to the Middle East country. The seizure was made on Wednesday 23rd April at a courier firm in Lagos. Another consignment intercepted same day include: 1.8kg pentazocine injection and 60grams bromazepam tablets heading to Canada.

At the Seme border area of Badagry Lagos, three Ghanaian ladies were on Sunday 20th April arrested at the Gbaji check point by NDLEA operatives while attempting to smuggle combined 4.8kilograms of Ghana Loud, a strong strain of cannabis into Nigeria. The suspects arrested include: Haziza Zubairu, 42; Samirat Mustapha, 43; and Jamila Salifu, 26.
In Kano, a 60-year-old grandma Safiya Shamsu was on Friday 25th April nabbed at Samegu area of Kumbotso LGA with 5.6kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, while another suspect Muntari Labaran, 35, was taken into custody following the seizure of 100 litres of codeine syrup from him at Yelwa area of Dala LGA.

A total of 3,814.9kg skunk was destroyed on two farms in Ugbodu community, Ovia North East LGA, Edo state on Thursday 24th April when NDLEA operatives raided the plantations where three suspects: Samuel Samson, 26; Daniel Peter, 20; and Abel Edah, 31, were arrested.
The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Dan-Doro Community Arabic Secondary School, Doro, Katsina; St. James Anglican School, Badariya, Kebbi; Federal Government Girls College, Tambuwal, Sokoto; and members of Oganiru age grade, Onitsha, Anambra, while the Lagos State Strategic Command of NDLEA paid WADA advocacy visit to the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, among others.

While commending the officers and men of DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Jigawa, Edo and Seme Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Sunday 27th April 2025

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Court convicts two for illegal tree felling, conspiracy in Kano

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A magistrate court in Kano has convicted two men for conspiracy and illegal tree felling, in violation of the state’s environmental laws.

The conviction was disclosed in a statement by the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

The defendants, Salihu Mukhtar and an accomplice, were sentenced on Thursday, July 17, 2025, by Justice Auwalu Yusuf of Court 2, Normasland, for cutting down a tree along Jigawa Road, Nasarawa GRA without authorization.

Prosecuting counsel, Barrister Bahijjah H. Aliyu, told the court that the defendants conspired to fell the tree illegally, breaching the Kano State Penal Code and Forestry Laws.

The court sentenced each to three months imprisonment or ₦20,000 fine for conspiracy, and six months imprisonment or ₦50,000 fine for illegal felling.

“The Ministry strongly condemns all acts of environmental vandalism, particularly illegal deforestation, which undermines the government’s efforts toward climate resilience, urban beautification, and improved air quality.” The statement partly reads.

The Commissioner for environment and climate change, Dr. Dahiru M. Hashim, reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on deforestation. He urged the public to report environmental crimes to the appropriate channel.

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Saudi royal Prince Al Waleed dies after 19 years in coma

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Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, a member of the Saudi royal family often referred to as the ‘Sleeping Prince,’ has passed away nearly two decades after falling into a coma following a car crash in 2005.

A nephew of the billionaire businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the late prince had remained in an unresponsive state for 19 years, since being admitted to hospital following a car accident in 2005.

He became a quiet but enduring symbol of faith and resilience for many in the Arab world.

After he was confirmed dead on Saturday, family sources announced plans for his funeral scheduled to take place in Riyadh on Sunday.

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Imo Engineer, Benco Nzerem, Cries Out After Demolition Of His ₦2.2 Billion Shopping Mall By 2 Top Govt.Officials, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, Engr.Ikenna Elezieanya…Appeals To Gov.Uzodimma For Justice, Compensation With Land

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In what has been described as a deeply disheartening and unlawful action, an illustrious son of Umuakali Naze in Owerri North LGA of Imo State, Engr. Bernard Anyanwu-Nzerem, popularly known as Engr. Benco, has passionately cried out following the demolition of his multi-billion-naira shopping mall and associated structures.

The demolished commercial complex and other surrounding buildings reportedly valued at over ₦2.2 billion, belonged to Engr.Benco.

According to the depressed victim, the massive property was unlawfully brought down by two high-ranking officials in the Imo State Government.

They are: Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Monitoring and Compliance, and Hon. Engr. Ikenna Elezieanya, the Commissioner for Science/Technology, and Engineering.

The incident has sparked public outrage, with many calling for a thorough investigation.

Engr. Benco is appealing for justice and adequate compensation for the loss of his multi-billion-naira investment.

Speaking with a team of Imo-based journalists on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Owerri, the PortHarcourt-Based-General Contractor, Engr.Benco, recounted the trauma he experienced upon discovering that his entire investment had been reduced to rubble during his absence from the state.

According to him, the demolished structures, including a modern business plaza, were located at No. 1 Naze/Federal Polytechnic Junction, off Owerri/Aba Road, and were fully approved by relevant authorities.

He maintained that the land was lawfully acquired in 2010 from Nipec Nigeria Limited, which had earlier purchased the property from the Naze community in 1982.

“All transaction documents were signed and endorsed by the elders and representatives of the seven clans of Naze,” Engr. Benco explained.

“Some of these respected elders who appended their respective signatories with Nipec Nigeria Limited are now late, but all the records are there intact.”

During a media chat with journalists, Engr. Benco addressed the contentious circumstances surrounding the recent demolition of his multi-billion-naira property, describing the incident as both deeply painful and grossly unjust.

The Naze man, Engr.Benco, clarified to ThePressman Newspaper and other journalists, that contrary to certain natures, he revealed that his land was duly registered with a root title, power of attorney, and allocation papers, while the Certificate of Occupancy was in process before demolition occurred.

He passionately appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma to restore his rightful property.

According to him, the affected structures were not located on land officially acquired by the government for the proposed Naze Bus Terminal project.

Rather, he explained that his property, which lies within a clearly demarcated portion of Mkporo land, shares boundaries with the area the state government has earmarked for development.

“The land in question, popularly known as Mkporo land, has never been fully acquired by any administration, despite longstanding interest in designing it as the Mkporo Layout,” Engr. Benco stated.

He further revealed that he had submitted a comprehensive set of legal documents establishing ownership, including a registered Power of Attorney (No. 17, Page 17, Volume 276 of 1982), allocation letters, and official payment receipts.

In an emotional appeal, Engr. Benco called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to personally intervene and ensure that justice is served.

Citing the Igbo adage “Akurulo”—meaning “let the rightful owner enjoy his harvest”—he implored the Governor to protect citizens’ rights and uphold the rule of law.

“Due diligence procedures were not followed. Those who ordered the demolition of my property were clearly misinformed,” he asserted.

Engr. Benco categorically refuted claims that his demolished property was situated on government-acquired land, emphasizing the legitimacy of his ownership and his prior compliance with all administrative requirements.

He passionately appealed to Governor Uzodimma to take swift action to redress the injustice and restore his rights.

Engr. Benco revealed that he submitted all necessary legal documents, such as the Power of Attorney, and other ownership documents, to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), led by Sir.Cosmos Iwu, the Office of the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Governor’s Office, and other relevant authorities.

Despite forwarding these official documents for proper verification and intervention, no action was taken to prevent the demolition.

Bernard expressed shock that all these efforts were ignored until the buildings were demolished by Nze Nwaneri and Engr. Elezieanya.

He further stated that his desperate appeals to both officials to halt the demolition and carry out due diligence were completely disregarded.

He alleged that they stormed the property site with armed police officers and political thugs, using heavy-duty equipment to bring down the structures while he was away in Lagos attending a professional training program.

“I was not even in Owerri town but in Lagos when it happened. They didn’t wait to engage in proper investigation before the demolition,” he said.

“I am fully aware that the official Imo State government documents clearly demarcated the boundaries of the Naze land, which excludes the location of my demolished multimillion-naira structures;

“Unfortunately, due diligence was ignored, and no proper investigation was conducted. I am earnestly appealing to Governor Uzodimma to restore my land for rebuilding”, Engr.Benco beseeched.

He described the incident as a deliberate act of injustice, stressing that the demolished property had no encumbrances and was not situated on any government-acquired land meant for the proposed Imo Central Bus Terminal.

He also affirmed that the Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu, had earlier reviewed and validated the authenticity of his documents.

To make matters worse, Engr. Benco disclosed that five of his staff members, including a commercial driver, were unlawfully arrested and detained for five days at Tiger Base during the operation.

Now facing the overwhelming emotional and economic consequences of the demolition, Engr. Benco admitted to battling serious distress.

He disclosed that over 120 Imo youths who earned their livelihoods from the shopping plaza are now jobless, compounding his anguish.

“This situation has thrown me into a dark place emotionally. It’s difficult to cope with the reality of losing everything I have worked for over 15 years,” he said.

He accused the two govt.officials of abuse of power, alleging that their motives were rooted in personal interests rather than public good.

In a passionate appeal, Engr. Benco has called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to urgently intervene and ensure he receives fair and adequate compensation following the demolition of his property.

He expressed deep faith in the Governor’s integrity and sense of justice, stating that he strongly believes the Governor was not informed or aware of the unlawful demolition.

Engr. Benco emphasized that his plea is not just for personal redress but also a call for justice and accountability.

The Naze-Born-Engr.Benco, urged Governor Uzodimma to investigate the matter thoroughly and take swift action to correct the injustice and restore hope to the affected.

“This matter transcends my personal loss; it is a plea for justice,” he stated. “I am earnestly appealing to our Governor, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, whom I strongly believe is not aware of the injustice that has occurred;

“I implore him to intervene, uphold the values of justice, and extend the Shared Prosperity mantra by ensuring I receive adequate compensation for my demolished property;

“I have faith in his leadership and trust that he will respond swiftly and fairly to this grave issue. This is not just about my plight—it’s about restoring hope and justice to the common man.”

Engr. Benco’s outcry underscores the broader implications of unchecked official actions and serves as a call for transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights in governance.

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