The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, Kaduna, said it intercepted 185 blocks of Cannabis Sativa valued at N48.5 million.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna by Chief Superintendent of Customs Saidu Nuruddeen, Public Relations Officer of the unit, on behalf of the Comptroller.

Nuruddeen said the seizure, together with other contraband worth N220.4 million recovered in separate operations, was made on Aug. 21 at about 3:30 a.m.

“Acting on intelligence, operatives stopped a vehicle along the Zaria flyover on the Kaduna–Zaria Expressway, and intercepted the contraband,” he said.

He explained that a male suspect was arrested after nine sacks containing 185 compressed blocks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 89.6kg, were discovered in the vehicle.

“The seized substance has an estimated duty paid value of N48,562,500.

“Both the suspect and the exhibits have been handed over to operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution in line with the spirit of inter-agency collaboration,” he said.

The spokesperson added that in a separate operation, officers of the unit also intercepted three vehicles conveying smuggled items.

According to him, the seizures include 456 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 8,100 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 178 bales of second-hand clothes, 225 cartons of spaghetti, 107 used tyres and 37 pieces of electric shockers (tasers).

He said the total duty paid value of the contraband stood at N220,457,336.48.

The Comptroller of the unit, Mr Aliyu Alkali, commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his continuous support and guidance.

Alkali reiterated the commitment of the unit to sustaining the fight against smuggling, illegal trade, and the inflow of uncustomed goods into the country.

He stressed that the seizures were part of ongoing efforts by the service to protect the nation’s economy and safeguard national security

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The Imo State Government, through the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku, has defended its recent decision to increase the minimum wage for civil servants to N104,000.

Speaking on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Nwachuku assured the public and the workforce that the new wage is not a populist move but a sustainable one, backed by significant improvements in the state’s financial standing.

The announcement by Governor Hope Uzodimma on Tuesday, sparked a mix of excitement and skepticism, with many questioning the state’s ability to maintain the high wage figure compared to other states.

However, Nwachuku used the national platform to address these concerns head-on, citing a massive growth in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue as the primary enabler.

“The government of Hope Uzodimma has invested in building a digital economy and a new template of development.

“When this government came on board, the IGR was less than N400 million, but today, we are talking about an IGR of about N3bn to N4bn. This is a very clear pointer that the government is on the right track financially.

“This revenue growth is a direct result of the administration’s efforts to block financial leakages, digitise government processes, and create a conducive environment for both local and foreign investment,” Nwachuku stated during the interview.

The CPS also highlighted the government’s visible projects in infrastructure, such as the construction of 46 roads across the state, as evidence of its fiscal prudence and long-term developmental agenda.

He stressed that the wage increase was a thoughtful decision made after careful consideration of the state’s financial capacity and was not a political gamble ahead of an election.

In response to questions about the timing of the payment, Nwachuku clarified that “the new wage structure would be implemented with the August 2025 salaries, while consequential adjustments for other cadres of the civil service will be implemented in subsequent months.”

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Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday presided over a meeting of the National Economic Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The gathering had in attendance the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as well as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

Also present were Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue, and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo.

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) was also in attendance.

The National Economic Council, which is chaired by the Vice President, has the constitutional duty of advising the President on the nation’s economic affairs, particularly issues relating to the coordination of economic planning, allocation of revenue, and implementation of national economic policies.

More details to come…

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