Crime

PHOTOS: Customs hand over N53.39bn seized drugs to NDLEA, NAFDAC

Published

1 month ago

July 2, 2026

The Nigeria Customs Service, on Wednesday, handed over nine containers of seized hard drugs, expired, fake and prohibited pharmaceutical products with a duty-paid value of N53.391 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Apapa, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the seizures reflected the outcome of diligent intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration aimed at protecting public health and national security.

He said the seizures were made by the Apapa Area Command following intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and collaboration with the NDLEA.

Adeniyi said the event, coming days after the commemoration of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders, safeguarding public health and strengthening national security through intelligence-driven border management.

He said the seizures included a 40-foot container with registration number CAAU7569127 containing 3,639 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.

He added that another 40-foot container, with registration number HAMU3246311, contained 9,918 sachets of cannabis sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, concealed alongside two imported vehicles and household items.

According to him, another 40-foot container, with registration number MRKU3816476, contained 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup concealed with 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes.

“Another 40-foot container with registration number TGBU5399178 conveying 1,698 cartons of codeine syrup concealed inside 36 cartons of casserole products; a 40-foot container, HASU4519480, conveying 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including tramadol; a 40-foot container with registration number MRKU4961275 conveying 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including oxytocin injections, Mexclor eye drops and carbamazepine tablets; another consignment in a 40-foot container with registration number PCIU8771576 comprising expired pharmaceutical products, including cloxicillin capsules, Cynamine 12 Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections. All intercepted for regulatory action,” Adeniyi said.

He added that a 20-foot container with registration number MRKU6964435 containing Piccan teething powder and another 40-foot container with registration number TCKU7000791 containing 1,100 packages of Chacold chlorpheniramine maleate capsules bearing a fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control registration number and an expiry date of December 2028 were also seized.

“Cumulatively, these nine seizures have a duty-paid value of N53.391 billion only,” he said.

The Customs boss said the seizures resulted from intelligence analysis and non-intrusive inspection.

According to him, although the consignments initially appeared legitimate, detailed verification of the NAFDAC certificate presented by the declarant revealed that the products were not registered with the agency.

Adeniyi said the use of fake registration numbers and supporting documentation indicated a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into Nigeria, posing a serious threat to public health.

“Consequently, the consignment was seized in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and will be handed over to NAFDAC for further regulatory action and investigation,” he said.

“They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” he said.

The CGC warned that the importation of expired pharmaceuticals and controlled substances poses a direct threat to public health, while the sophisticated concealment methods employed by criminal networks demonstrated their determination to exploit legitimate trade channels for illicit purposes.

He, however, said the interceptions also showed that the NCS possessed the intelligence capability, technological capacity and operational readiness to detect and disrupt such criminal activities.

“In accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, narcotic drugs falling within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA will today be formally handed over to the agency for further investigation and prosecution. Similarly, expired pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal,” he said.

He explained that where prohibited items were concealed alongside vehicles, automobile spare parts or other imported goods, only the narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceuticals would be handed over, while the remaining items would remain in Customs’ custody for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions.

Commending officers of the Apapa Area Command, Adeniyi said the service would continue to deepen collaboration with relevant government agencies, the private sector and international partners to prevent criminal organisations from exploiting Nigeria’s ports and borders.

He vowed that every intelligence lead would be pursued, every violation thoroughly investigated and every offender brought to justice.

“We remain committed to building a secure trading environment that protects our economy, safeguards public health and reinforces national security. To those who seek to use our ports to traffic illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals or other prohibited goods, let today’s operation send a clear and unmistakable message that Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe havens for smugglers or organised criminal networks. Through technology, intelligence, coordinated border management and the professionalism of our officers, the Nigeria Customs Service is steadily closing the gaps previously exploited by criminal syndicates,” Adeniyi said.

He added that the service would continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten the economy, compromise public health or undermine national security.

Earlier, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), while taking over the seized narcotics, described the event as a landmark in the collaboration between the NDLEA and the NCS.

Marwa, represented by Assistant Commander of Narcotics Archie-Abia Ogboba, said, “Together, we have taken 6,778.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica, popularly known as ‘Canadian Loud,’ out of circulation.

Through two major seizures recorded on 15 and 24 June 2026, we send a clear and unequivocal message that we are more determined than ever to dismantle organised criminal syndicates and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond our borders.”

Marwa added that both seizures resulted from intelligence-led operations conducted by the NDLEA Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with foreign partners, particularly the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

“Over four months, actionable intelligence was carefully developed, and our marine surveillance officers tracked the vessels and containers throughout their journey until both were successfully intercepted,” he said.

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Crime

Police recover stolen newborn baby, arrest suspects in Benue

Published

18 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Benue State Police Command have arrested some suspects in connection with the theft of a newborn baby in the Gboko area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, disclosed this while giving an update on the incident in a telephone interview on Thursday, as he noted that the baby had been recovered.

“I can confirm to you that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of a newborn baby in Gboko on Tuesday.

“Some of the suspects were earlier transferred to the state headquarters in Makurdi while other suspects are in police custody at Gboko division right now,” the PPRO said.

The baby, according to sources, was allegedly stolen from his mother in the hospital a few hours after he was delivered on Tuesday.

The incident reportedly attracted family members, sympathisers and other concerned persons to the hospital, creating tension within and around the facility. It was also gathered that security operatives were subsequently deployed to the healthcare centre to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

An eyewitness who craved anonymity told journalists on Wednesday that the alleged thief had been following the baby’s mother disguised as a nurse working in the hospital. According to the eyewitness, the baby was said not to be responding at the time he was born, which prompted the nurse to move the mother and the baby to a ward for further care.

The eyewitness alleged that shortly after they were moved to the ward, a woman, who camouflaged as a nurse, approached the mother and asked to examine the baby again.

Believing that the woman was a nurse working in the hospital, the mother obliged and handed the baby over to the strange nurse, who was said to have taken the baby towards the labour room. She told the baby’s grandmother, who was in the hospital, to step aside, as she assured that everything was under control.

It was later that they discovered that the newborn baby was missing.

“Immediately after the baby was born, the infant did not cry as expected. The nurse on duty reportedly intervened, and the newborn eventually responded normally.

“Thereafter, both the mother and the baby were taken to a ward. Not long after, an alleged child trafficker approached the mother of the newborn under the pretence of being one of the nurses.

“The suspect claimed they wanted to check the baby once again. The trafficker then took the baby from the mother and headed toward the labour room.

“Sensing something amiss, the mother-in-law who had been with her daughter-in-law followed and stood at the labour room’s entrance, but she was instructed to step back, with assurances that everything would be fine; so she complied. Shortly afterwards, the strange woman disappeared with the newborn baby,” the witness stated.

It was gathered that while searching for the baby, the nurses on duty reportedly denied taking the baby from the ward and also said the woman who allegedly presented herself as a nurse was not a member of their team.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Police nab suspected kidnapper attempting N1.6m rifle purchase in Kwara

Published

19 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping gang, identified as Sanda Aliyu, over an alleged plan to purchase an AK-47 rifle for N1.6m in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

Aliyu was arrested by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section on August 3, 2026, following actionable intelligence that he was negotiating with one Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently at large, for the procurement of the firearm.

The police said detectives immediately commenced an operation based on the intelligence and apprehended Aliyu before the weapon could be delivered.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the suspect admitted during interrogation that he was involved in the attempted arms transaction.

“The suspect voluntarily admitted his involvement in the transaction and disclosed that N1.6 million had already been paid towards the purchase of the rifle.

“He further revealed that the purpose of acquiring the firearm was to enable him rise to the position of a ‘Boss’ within his current kidnapping gang, before ultimately breaking away to establish and lead his own criminal gang,” the PPRO said.

She added that investigators had commenced further verification of the transaction to establish the identities of other individuals connected with the attempted purchase and determine the extent of the criminal network.

“The ongoing investigation is expected to provide further leads into the circumstances surrounding the attempted acquisition, identify other persons connected with the illicit arms transaction, establish the full extent of the network, and unravel the broader criminal activities associated with the gang,” Ejire-Adeyemi noted.

The development comes amid heightened security operations by security agencies in parts of Kwara State following a series of kidnappings and other violent crimes recorded in some communities.

Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, assured residents that the command would sustain its intelligence-led operations against criminal elements across the state.

Adekimi, while acknowledging the strategic policing direction of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, said the command would continue to deploy its available lawful intelligence and operational resources to protect residents.

“There will be no respite in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements,” the CP said.

He added that the command would sustain its operations until communities across the state were sufficiently secured and residents could go about their activities without fear.

The police said the suspect remains in custody as investigation continues, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Mohammed and identify other persons allegedly connected with the attempted arms transaction.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Army moves to begin operations at four new divisions

Published

20 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Nigerian Army has commenced moves to operationalise four newly created divisions as part of a broad restructuring aimed at expanding its operational capacity and strengthening the fight against insecurity across the country.

President Bola Tinubu approved the expansion of the Army from eight to 12 divisions, with new division headquarters to be established in Benue, Kwara and Taraba states, alongside a fourth formation in Edo State.

The restructuring is designed to decentralise the Army’s command and control structure, improve tactical response times and enable troops to respond more effectively to security threats across different regions.

The move is also expected to be complemented by the planned recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, as well as improved logistics, equipment and welfare packages for troops.

The new formations are being established against the backdrop of persistent banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, terrorism and other violent threats, particularly across the North-Central and North-East zones.

In Kwara State, the strengthening of the Army’s presence followed rising security concerns in parts of the state, including banditry and kidnapping in Kwara South and North.

The Army has commenced the deployment of a new battalion to Omu-Aran, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, while preparations are also underway for another battalion in the Patigi axis.

An exclusive check indicates that the battalion comprises close to 500 personnel, including senior officers, while the Federal Government Girls College, Omu-Aran, is believed to be serving as its temporary location, although this could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

The specific operational location has not been publicly disclosed by the military or the state government, although the Army had earlier inspected infrastructure and proposed sites for a temporary camp and permanent base.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the deployment would strengthen security operations in the state.

The governor, who disclosed this in a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, said he was joined by the GOC 9 Division Nigerian Army/Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield, Maj Gen Yakubu Yahaya, and Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, Brig Gen Nicholas Rume, to receive the troops.

“It was pleasant to welcome the troops to Kwara State. I thank the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, for the swift deployment.

“I am confident that this new deployment will boost our peace and security efforts in the state,” AbdulRazaq said.

He also disclosed that preparations were underway for the deployment of another Army battalion to Patigi.

“Just as the battalion for Omu-Aran settles in, another team of the Nigerian Army is working tirelessly in Patigi to locate the new base for the battalion that will be deployed to that axis,” the governor said.

AbdulRazaq commended Tinubu for approving the additional military deployments, saying, “We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. We are truly grateful to Mr President for paying special attention to Kwara.”

He also praised the President for approving improved welfare packages for soldiers, saying the measure would boost their morale in the fight against insecurity.

The arrival of the Omu-Aran battalion was welcomed by traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of Irepodun Local Government Area.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti, assured the troops of the community’s full support, while Irepodun Local Government chairman, Abdulazeez Yakub, pledged the council’s cooperation.

“I want to assure you that our support, especially in terms of the welfare of the battalion, will be 100 per cent, by the grace of God. You will enjoy your stay in Omu-Aran.

“We are together by the grace of God. The Lord who has brought us together has done so in peace, and we pray that this development will continue to bring blessings, security and progress to our communities,” the monarch said.

The Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brig Gen Rume, said the deployment was part of the Federal Government’s directive to expand the Army’s operational capacity across the country.

“The Chief of Army Staff, on his own part, to achieve his strategic vision, has deployed his battalion here to take care of security incidents in the whole of Kwara South,” Rume said.

Similarly, the President of the Omu-Aran Development Association, Niyi Adeyeye, said the deployment would help restore peace and security in Omu-Aran and other parts of Kwara South.

“This intervention is a significant demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians and restoring peace, confidence and economic stability to the communities,” he said.

In Benue State, the new 5 Division, with its headquarters expected in Makurdi, is intended to strengthen military operations against long-standing security challenges, including communal clashes and armed groups affecting Benue and neighbouring Nasarawa and Kogi states.

An Army implementation committee is currently assessing locations for new formations in the state.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, said he was awaiting the outcome of the committee’s assessment.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the governor said the committee, led by Maj Gen Raymond Utsaha and accompanied by the pioneer General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Maj Gen M.K. Gara, had earlier briefed him on the Federal Government’s decision to establish new Army formations in the state.

He said the committee was already visiting areas proposed for the formations and would brief him after concluding its consultations and assessments.

Our correspondent gathered that Guma, Ukum, Kwande, Otukpo and Agatu local government areas had been earmarked for military units, while Makurdi, the state capital, is expected to host the new division.

The Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed that the implementation committee visited the council last Friday.

Ogiri said the committee announced plans to establish a new Brigade Command in Otukpo as part of the Army’s expansion and restructuring.

According to him, the Army already has 224 hectares of land at the Entina axis of Otukpo for the proposed Brigade Command.

He added that the committee also visited Agatu LGA, where a new battalion is expected to be established.

The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Ejeh, also confirmed the visit, expressing optimism that the proposed military formations would strengthen security and help curb the activities of armed groups and other violent elements in Benue South, otherwise known as Zone C.

In Taraba State, arrangements are underway for the operational take-off of the newly established 10 Division, with construction of its permanent barracks ongoing at Yali, on the outskirts of Jalingo.

Governor Agbu Kefas inspected the proposed barracks on Wednesday and expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the site.

Kefas commended Tinubu for approving the establishment of the division, describing it as a major boost to security in Taraba and the North-East.

The governor said the state government would continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the smooth take-off of the formation.

Although troops of the 10 Division are yet to arrive in the state, Kefas explained that the formation would initially operate from a temporary base while the permanent barracks were being completed.

The division is expected to reinforce counter-insurgency and border security operations in Taraba and neighbouring Adamawa State, while improving the Army’s capacity to respond to threats in the wider North-East region.

The development is also expected to lead to the eventual relocation of the 6 Brigade, currently headquartered in Jalingo.

The Brigade Commander, Brig Gen Chukwuemeka Akaliro, said the relocation would be carried out in phases.

The Army’s restructuring is expected to bring command structures closer to areas facing security challenges, improve intelligence gathering and shorten response times during emergencies.

It is also expected to provide the military with additional manpower, equipment and logistical support needed to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the affected regions.

Source: punchng.com

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