The Ogun Police Command has grilled the embattled Olorile of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi, for assaulting an elderly man, Mr. Areola Abraham and subjecting him to verbal abuse.

A trending video showed Mr Areola Abraham prostrating before Oba Ogunjobi who could be heard verbally attacking the elderly man.

He also allegedly shoved the man’s cap off his head in a humiliating manner, and alleged uncivil conduct that compelled the Ogun State Government to swiftly suspend him for six months.

Given the gravity of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the matter, assuring that the rule of law and fundamental human rights principles in the instant case would be enforced.

Oba Ogunjobi and his victim reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department Eleweran on Monday where their statements were obtained.

Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Omolola Odutola, the Police Public Relations Officer Ogun State Police Command, confirmed this, saying the Command condemned any form of assault, harassment and violence regardless of the individuals involved.

CSP Odutola added that the command would ensure that justice is served.

The Naira depreciated at the official market on Monday, trading at N1,495.60 to a dollar.

Data from the FMDQ Security Exchange official forex trading platform revealed that the Naira lost N20.82.

This represents a 1.4 per cent loss when compared to the previous trading day on Friday, Jan. 31, when the local currency closed trading at N1,474.78 to a dollar.

Trading on the Investors and Exporters (I&E) Forex window on Monday recorded a high of N1,497.50 and a low of N1,470.00.

The Naira has enjoyed relative stability against the dollar since December 2024 due to sustained reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The reforms are aimed at ensuring transparency in the foreign exchange (FX) market.

The apex bank’s reforms are also boosting capacity of BDCs who are in the retail end of the FX market.

The apex bank on Tuesday, Jan. 28, in Abuja, approved waivers on the 2025 annual license renewal fee for all existing BDC operators.

The bank also on Monday, Feb. 3 extended deadline for sales of dollars to BDCs from Jan. 31 until May 30.

On Monday, the Ogun government placed Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, the Olorile of Orile-Ifo in the Ifo LGA, on a six-month suspension for “uncivil conduct”.

Ganiu Hazmat, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, disclosed in a statement in Abeokuta that Mr Ogunjobi’s conduct did not befit the status of a king.

Mr Hamzat explained that the government decided to ensure the dignity of persons and the protection of the sanctity of the revered traditional institution.

The commissioner noted that the decision was reached after the traditional ruler and his victim were invited to the ministry for interrogation.

He said their invitation became imperative due to the traditional ruler’s reckless utterances and public misconduct, as evidenced by a viral video on social media.

“After the investigation conducted on the matter, Oba Ogunjobi has been suspended. He has been stripped of the paraphernalia of the stool of Olorile of Orile-Ifo pending the determination of his culpability or otherwise in the matter,” Mr Hamzat said.

The commissioner said the decision was reached by the Ministry in conjunction with the Egba Traditional Council.

“This was in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021,” he said.

Mr Hamzat added that the state government would not condone acts of indignity on any of its residents by anybody, no matter how highly placed.

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday, convicted and sentenced a woman, Benedicta Usen, aka Carol Omomoh, to five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for trafficking a lady for prostitution.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, said he found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt concerning each allegation in the eight-count change.

The judge consequently sentenced Ms Omomoh to two years and six months imprisonment, each in counts one, three, five and seven, without an option of a fine.

The judge also sentenced her to counts two, four, six, and eight to five years imprisonment, each without an option of a fine. He ordered that all the jail terms run concurrently, effective February 3.

Mr Ekwo observed that Ms Omomoh’s denials in the face of her evidence-in-chief as first defence witness (DW1) only exposed her “as a barefaced liar, a crooked and dishonest human being.”

According to the judge, to even have the audacity to stand in court and deny the statement she made voluntarily to the police shows how depraved she is.

“The evidence also exposes her as being in the business of procuring young vulnerable women like Miss Cynthia Omoieke for prostitution abroad.

“People like the defendant must be taken out of the society for good. I, therefore, make an order convicting the defendant of the charge In counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 as charged. This is the order of this court,” the judge ruled.

The inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, had, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/121/2019, named Omomoh the sole defendant.

In the eight-count amended charge dated Oct 24, 2022, the police chief alleged that the defendant Ms Omomoh and Oyomiya Lamidi (now at large), sometime in 2011 in Lagos, conspired between themselves to commit the offence by recruiting and transporting Cynthia Loveth Ese Omoieke to Italy through the United Kingdom using deception and abuse of position of vulnerability.

The offence is punishable under Section 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration (TPPEA) Act, 2015.

In count five, she and Ms Lamidi, sometime in 2011 in Lagos, conspired to commit an offence by organising and facilitating the foreign travel of Ms Omoieke to Italy through the UK, which travel promoted prostitution and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27 of the TPPEA Act, 2015.

Ms Omomoh, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts, and the prosecution called two witnesses to establish a case against her.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Kuje has ordered the remand of a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf in Kuje prison pending the determination of his bail application.

Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu issued the order on Monday after Yusuf was arraigned and he pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge bordering on fraud, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Shortly after his plea was taken, his lawyer, O.I Habeeb urged the court to allow his client to remain in the custody of the EFCC (from where he was brought to court) pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

Justice Nwecheonwu rejected the defence lawyer’s request, noting that the defendant could not be kept in the custody of the EFCC after his arraignment.

She proceeded to order that Yusuf be remanded at the Kuje prison in Abuja and adjourned till February 12 for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application.

In the charge, the EFCC accused Yusuf of allegedly using his position at the time to confer an undue advantage to himself by approving the purchase of a vehicle at the cost of N49,197,750, against the budgeted sum of N30,000,000.

The EFCC equally accused him of retaining a private interest in GK Kanki Foundation, and without due process, awarding a contract in the sum of N10.1 million in favour of the foundation, for the purported training of 90 persons — when the actual number of trainees was 45.

No fewer than seven policemen were shot during a violent communal clash between residents of Ido-Ijesa and Esa-Oke in Osun State, following the appointment of a new monarch for the Ido-Ajegunle community by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Governor Adeleke had approved the installation of Prince Timileyin Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido-Ajegunle, a neighbouring community to Esa-Oke.

However, residents of Esa-Oke strongly opposed the decision, arguing that the new king hails from Ilesa and is not indigenous to their town.

A top security source, speaking anonymously, revealed that tensions escalated after vigilantes allegedly brought in by the new monarch were arrested by the police four days ago.

Confirming the incident, Osun State Police Command spokesperson Yemisi Opalola stated that seven officers sustained gunshot wounds during the violent confrontation.

Security forces have since been deployed to restore order in the affected communities.

She said: “Police operatives have been deployed to restore peace. Seven policemen were shot when they first arrived in the community.

“When we heard that there was a crisis in the community, we deployed our men to the communities, then they were ambushed. The policemen were trying to clear the trees that fell on their path when they were ambushed. The bullet hit one of them on the neck”.

A policeman was killed in a gunshot by unidentified militants in Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday morning, official sources said.

The incident happened at about 9:20 a.m. local time (GMT 0420) in the Khyber district, where the policeman, who was on duty as part of a polio vaccination campaign, was targeted.

The sources from the district told Xinhua that the assailants fled the scene after seizing the cop’s submachine gun.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

However, the sources indicated that the area has seen increased activities by militant groups, including factions associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Police cordoned off the area, and an investigation into the attack has commenced.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday began a nationwide anti-polio campaign for 2025.

This reaffirmed his government’s determination to eliminate the polio disease from the South Asian country.

European stocks slumped at the open Monday after US President Donald Trump said he would impose EU tariffs after launching trade wars with Canada, China and Mexico.

The Paris and Frankfurt stock markets initially shed more than two per cent, driven down by heavy losses for automakers, while London’s drop was less sharp after Trump indicated that Britain would likely avoid immediate tariffs.

Around 20 minutes after the open, markets were slightly firmer, with Frankfurt down 1.6 per cent and London losing one per cent.

Europe’s losses along with falls for the euro and British pound come after Asian stock markets and the yen mostly tanked Monday.

“The outlook for global equities just got much gloomier,” forecast Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG.

“We can expect investors to sell first and ask questions later… Hiding places are likely to be few and far between, and for the moment it looks like the dollar is the only winner,” he noted.

Tragedy struck in the Shendai community, the Quaanpan Local Government Area of Plateau State, as kidnappers killed one person and abducted four others in an attack.

It was learnt that the incident occurred on Saturday, leaving residents in a state of shock and fear.

According to reports, the kidnappers stormed the residence of their victims, shooting and killing one person before abducting four others.

The Chairman of Quaan-Pan Local Government Area, Christopher Manship, confirmed the attack in a statement released on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Danaan Sylvanus.

The chairman expressed concern over the increasing rate of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area, calling for the release of the abducted persons.

“The Executive Chairman of QuaanPan Local Government Council, Christopher Audu Manship, is condoling with the people of the Shendai community in Namu over the death of one person and is calling on security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abducted victims,” the statement read.

The council chairman reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and pledged to collaborate with security agencies to facilitate the prompt and safe rescue of the abducted victims.

The statement also disclosed that the chairman has embarked on a fact-finding mission to the affected areas, accompanied by security operatives led by Lt. Col. Ogunrinde Soji and his team, to gain a deeper understanding of the incident and its aftermath.

He said that during the visit, the council boss, who was also with top local government officials, four councillors of Namu District, and the DPO of the Namu Police Division, assessed the security situation on the ground and evaluated the affected communities.

He also paid condolences to the families of the deceased and the families of the abducted victims, offering words of comfort and reassurance.

The statement added that Lt. Col. Soji reiterated the military’s pledge to investigate the incident thoroughly, rescue the abducted victims, and ensure the safety and security of the affected communities.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has said some Nigerians complain of corruption but support corrupt leaders in various ways when they are prosecuted.

Speaking at the weekend in Abuja during a visit by officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication, led by Chris Olukolade, the EFCC boss pointed out the contradiction in public attitude, nothing that while Nigerians decry corruption, they often support and defend corrupt leaders when they are prosecuted.

“Everybody is crying that Nigerians are corrupt, that the system is corrupt, that corruption is killing us and destroying our system, but when we investigate high profile cases and arraign people in court, the same people will carry placards and be supporting corrupt leaders.

“It doesn’t show that we are serious about this fight, the fight is supposed to be a collaborative effort,” he said.

Olukoyede noted that the fight against corruption required collaboration between the government and the citizens, adding that true progress requires a collective commitment to integrity and accountability.

He stated that corruption remained the biggest obstacle to national development.

“One of the major problems in Nigeria which when tackled, will make under-development a thing of the past, is corruption and financial crimes,” he said.

Olukoyede reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to combating financial crimes within the ambit of the law and called for greater public collaboration in the fight against corruption.

The anti-graft agency, he said, would work with the CCC and other like-minded groups to enhance strategic communication and public awareness about integrity and accountability.

The EFCC recently dismissed 27 of its officers for misconduct and fraudulent activities.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said in January that the dismissals followed recommendations from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee, which were ratified by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 32-year-old Joshua Simeon for stealing a five-year-old child at the Nkpor Central Park, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

Simeon, a native of Ohaozara in Ebonyi State, was arrested while fleeing with the child after forcibly taking her away from her parents living in Umuota Village Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Sunday.

Ikenga said police operatives attached to the Ogidi Area Command, acting on credible information arrested the suspects on Saturday.

He said, “Police operatives attached to the Ogidi Area Command acting on credible information on February 1, 2025, by 4 pm arrested one Joshua Simeon, ‘M’, aged 32 years from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State at the Nkpor Central Park, Idemili North Local Government Area.

“The team also recovered a five-year-old girl, Nkemdilim Jacob, allegedly taken away by the suspect from her parents living in Umuota Village Obosi, idemili North Local Government Area.

“The suspect had already boarded a commercial vehicle and was en route to an unknown destination when he was arrested.”

According to him, the suspect is in custody and currently undergoing interrogation to ascertain his motives and determine whether this incident is part of a larger child trafficking network.

“Efforts are also ongoing to reach out to the parents/relatives of the recovered child for possible reunion.

“The command is committed to protecting vulnerable members of the society, to combat child abduction/trafficking and to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in the State,” he added.

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has vowed to return to the octagon despite suffering his third consecutive defeat and second career knockout loss against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia.

The Nigerian-born New Zealander took to social media after the devastating second-round TKO loss, displaying his characteristic resilience.

“As real as it gets, @ufc. Rolled the dice…snake eyes. I’ll be back, gone to get some milk,” Adesanya wrote.

The 35-year-old entered the bout looking to snap his first-ever consecutive losing streak, having lost his title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 before suffering another defeat to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 last August.

However, his comeback bid was violently halted by the surging French contender.

Despite starting well with a series of hard low kicks that rattled Imavov’s lead leg, Adesanya found himself in trouble late in the first round when his opponent landed a stiff shovel hook that snapped his head back.

The former champion also absorbed a huge right hand in the closing moments but appeared to weather the storm.

The end came swiftly after the second round began as Imavov, who entered the contest on a three-fight winning streak, dropped Adesanya with a massive right hand.

The Dagestani-born fighter followed up with a left uppercut and a barrage of ground strikes, forcing referee Marc Goddard to stop the contest.

The loss marks the first time Adesanya has competed without a UFC championship on the line in six years and 12 fights. His professional record now stands at 24 wins with 16 knockouts and four defeats in his 13-year MMA career.

Three of those defeats have come in the space of just 12 months.

Prior to the fight, Adesanya had dismissed concerns about his future, telling Stake.com, “I’m always in the title picture. That’s because I’m Israel Adesanya, and I’ve done so much in this game.”

The defeat has sparked mixed reactions from fans, with some calling for his retirement while others remain supportive of the former champion.

“Izzy, you got nothing left to prove brother! Leave the game. I know you still physically got it but you know you don’t have the fire for it anymore. Your mind isn’t in it,” fan Primal Jay wrote on X.

Another fan, @contrarianturk, added, “You will always be a legend, time to hang it up.”

However, Joe Sobran offered a different perspective saying, “Always a champion, already a legend and probably the most well liked UFC superstar of the people I know.

“It’s one thing to like a guy, it’s another to admire how they handle the ups and downs of life.”

While some fans pleaded for his retirement, others praised his performance and encouraged him to continue.

“You looked sharp tonight. Great reactions, great movement, and absolutely terrific anti-wrestling. You got caught slipping after an interruption. Everyone gets caught. It’s part of the game. Rest up & get straight back to it. You’ve gone nowhere, champ!” Ciana Flow commented.

Kevin Bones praised Adesanya’s sportsmanship stating, “You got caught. That’s the game. It’s always a pleasure to watch you perform. Being humble in defeat is a big lesson to these younger guys.”

The former champion had made significant changes to his preparation ahead of the fight, which headlined UFC’s second event in Saudi Arabia and would regret that it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

For Imavov (15-4), it was the biggest victory of his career, potentially putting him in line for a title shot following previous wins over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen.

While Adesanya’s future remains uncertain, particularly after recently sparking speculation by jokingly referring to himself as a “gatekeeper” in the sport, his resilient response suggests the former champion isn’t ready to walk away just yet.

“Keep your head up, champ. We true fans know you’re legend,” fan Angelo Wong wrote, echoing the sentiments of many who believe ‘The Last Stylebender’ still has more to offer in the octagon.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have saved the life of a 59-year-old businessman, Chijioke Igbokwe, after he underwent emergency surgery to remove 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine stuck in his stomach.

The surgery, an exploratory laparotomy, was performed after Igbokwe spent seven days struggling to excrete the illicit substance, which he had ingested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said

Igbokwe was arrested on January 26, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

He added that a body scan conducted by the NDLEA officers revealed that he had ingested illicit drugs, noting that he was immediately placed under excretion observation at the agency’s medical facility.

Babafemi said, “Investigation revealed that Igbokwe who claims to be into cloth business at the Arena, Oshodi area of Lagos, departed Lagos on January 22, to Addis Ababa where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day, January 23, and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon to deliver the illicit consignment for a fee of $3,000.

“Upon his arrival in Beirut, he said he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the amount required to grant him entry. He was then deported to Addis Ababa where he attempted excreting the illicit drugs but could not. He thereafter proceeded to Lagos on Saturday, January 25, with the consignment in his bowel. He was however arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport by the NDLEA officers on January 26.

“After five days under excretion observation, he could only expel 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

With the clock ticking for him and the complication of other underlying medical conditions, the suspect was eventually admitted at the tertiary facility where he had to undergo exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine stuck in his stomach after his wife and brother endorsed the necessary consent forms on Thursday, January 30.”

Babafemi stated that in total, the NDLEA recovered 81 cocaine pellets weighing 1.943 kilograms from his body.

In another operation, Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives intercepted a 2,000-kilogram shipment of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, at Lekki beach on January 29.

He added that two suspects, Sunday Awoyede and Christopher Cletus, were arrested while attempting to load the drugs into a truck.

“Another suspect, Lawal Idris Olasunkanmi, was also arrested the same day with 55kg skunk during a raid at his base in the Mushin area of Lagos,” Babafemi added.

A 25-year-old woman was on Friday rescued from a suspected ritualist after she was found unconscious with her hands and legs tied to a chair and mouth taped in the bathroom of an Abuja hotel.

In a statement on Sunday, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said the incident happened on Friday, in Wuse, adding that the suspect was at large.

“The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has successfully rescued a young woman from the clutches of a suspected armed robber and ritualist, launching an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspect,” said Ms Adeh.

Mrs Adeh stated that the command swung into action after receiving a distress call from the hotel earlier in the day, at approximately 11:30 a.m., about a suspicious activity in one of their rooms.

She said operatives arrived the scene and “discovered a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from Ebonyi State, tied to a small chair with her mouth covered in plaster. She added, “She was found unconscious and in distress. Officers acted immediately, freeing her from captivity and rushing her to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated.”

Stating that preliminary investigation revealed that the case was a disturbing pattern of deception and violence, the command, in the statement noted that the victim had checked into the hotel on Thursday at 7am with a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.

The statement indicated, “However, during police questioning, the victim disclosed that she had met the suspect online, where he introduced himself under the alias Michael Prince, claiming to be an oil company employee based in Delta State. Initially, he invited her to Delta, but after she declined, they agreed to meet in Abuja. Tragically, what was meant to be an innocent meeting turned into a harrowing ordeal. The suspect allegedly brandished a dagger, using it to threaten and subdue the victim before restraining her by tying her hands and legs and taping her mouth shut inside the bathroom. He then fled the scene, stealing her two mobile phones. Alarmingly, before escaping, the victim overheard him speaking to suspected accomplices over the phone, informing them that he was on his way to regroup before returning to the hotel to “finish the job.”

Assuring that a full-scale manhunt for the fleeing suspect had been launched to ensure his immediate arrest, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, condemned the violent act and urged residents, especially young women, to be cautious when meeting individuals they do not know personally.

He also called on anyone with relevant information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest to immediately contact the police through mobile number 08032003913 and 08107314192.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on imports from the United States in retaliatory response to President Donald Trump announcing similar tariffs on Canadian goods.

Mr Trump also imposed a 10 per cent tariff on energy imports with enforcement of the tariffs set to commence on Tuesday.

“Tonight, I am announcing Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25% trade tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods,” Mr Trudeau said during a press conference on Saturday.

Executing one of the notices he gave before his inauguration, Mr Trump unveiled a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico as well as an additional 10 per cent tariff on goods from China as part of efforts to combat fentanyl and migrants’ influx.

“Today, I have implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy), and a 10% additional Tariff on China,” Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Mr Trump accused Canada, Mexico and China of complicit in the large influx of drugs and undocumented migrants into the United States. The three countries, however, denied the claim.

During the press conference, Mr Trudeau played down the allegation, noting that less than one per cent of drugs and undocumented immigrants trafficked into the United States came through the Canadian border and reiterated that Canada would respond accordingly.

President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, also rejected the accusation, posting on X that the country “categorically rejects the White House’s slander against the Mexican government for having alliances with criminal organisations.”

Ms Sheinbaum noted that she had directed the Secretary of Economy to “implement plan B that we have been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defence of Mexico’s interests.”

Meanwhile, the Chinese government through its ministry of commerce in a statement threaten to sue the United States government with the World Trade Organisation.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted a consignment of 2,000 kg of Indian hemp known as skunk or Ghanaian Loud, produced in Ghana.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Wednesday, January 29 recovered the consignments at Lekki beach.

He said that two suspects were arrested while attempting to load them in a truck.

He stated, “The suspects, the skunk shipment and the van were immediately taken into custody.”

According to Mr Babafemi, another suspect was also arrested the same day with 55kg skunk during a raid at his base in Mushin area of Lagos.

Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) as applauding the Lagos State Strategic Command for blocking the huge consignment of skunk from coming into the country.

Mr Babafemi noted that the NDLEA commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, sensitisation lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities.

“Instances include WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Grand Light Model School, Ata Udosung, Akwa Ibom; Community Grammar School, Iganna, Iwajowa LGA, Oyo State; Ebute Afuye Primary School, Epe, Lagos State.

“Others are Akwakuma Girls Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State; and the Federal Government College, Kebbe, Sokoto State, while the Kogi State command of the agency paid a WADA advocacy visit to Attah of Igala, HRH Mathew Opaluwa Oguche at his palace in Idah, among others ” he said.

The Oyo State Fire Service on Sunday said it recovered the body of a 45-year-old man from a well at First Women Estate in Akala area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The General Manager of the Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident in a statement in Ibadan.

Mr Akinyinka said personnel of the service received a distress call about the incident on Friday at 2:11 p.m through a telephone call from one Yusuf.

According to him, firefighters responded to the distress call by rushing to the scene of the incident.

He said, “On getting there, it was discovered that a man was trapped inside the well while working beneath.’’

He, however, said the corpse of the 45-year-old man was recovered from inside the well and handed over to his relatives.

Mr Akinyinka said that personnel of the Amotekun Corps from Oluyole Command led by one Akanbi Kabiru were also at the scene of the incident to give a helping hand.

In another development, the general manager said his personnel also responded to a fire incident at Salim Complex , Alafia Estate, in Akobo area of Ibadan on Saturday.

He said the incident, which was caused by electricity surge, affected one of a twin two-bedroom flat in the estate.

Mr Akinyinka said that fire fighters swiftly curtailed the fire from spreading to other parts of the building with no casualty recorded.

He advised members of the public to always switch off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use.

About 30 passengers have died in an auto crash at the popular Onipetesi area on the Ore/Lagos highway in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was learnt that the accident occurred on Saturday. .

Witnesses said that the accident involved two articulated vehicles that collided after the drivers drove against traffic to avoid traffic on the route.

One of the witnesses, Bayo Adefarati, disclosed that 28 people were burnt beyond recognition while two others, rescued from the scene, died on their way to the hospital.

“The two commercial buses collided and burst into flames, resulting in the deaths of the passengers. The drivers drove against traffic to avoid traffic on the road. And they were even at a high speed. Both vehicles were loaded with passengers. I counted 30 occupants, and two of them died while on the way to the hospital. It was the timely effort of the road safety and concern motorists that reduced the casualty figure. If not, we would have recorded more casualties,” Mr Adefarati told The Gazette.

The state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samuel Ibitoye, who confirmed the accident through a statement on Sunday, said 30 persons died in the accident.

“A total of 28 persons were burnt beyond recognition while two others died while being taken to the hospital for treatment, and two survivors are now receiving treatment,” Mr Ibitoye said in the copy of the statement.

He blamed impatience on the part of the drivers for the head-on collision, stressing that investigation showed that they drove against the traffic.

According to Mr Ibitoye, the corpses have been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

Urging passengers travelling on the highway to always speak out against unsafe driving practices, he cautioned drivers to avoid reckless driving and ensure proper vehicle maintenance.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 59-year-old businessman, Chijioke Igbokwe for ingesting 81 pellets of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The disclosure is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said that the suspect had undergone a surgery, exploratory laparotomy, to let out 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine stuck in his stomach.

This, he said, was after seven days of ingesting the illicit substance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He said that Mr Igbokwe was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA, at the arrival hall of the MMIA, during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday, January, 26.

He added that the suspect who was promptly taken for body scan, which revealed illicit drugs in his system was soon after taken into NDLEA custody for excretion observation.

According to Mr Babafemi, investigation revealed that Mr Igbokwe who claims to be into cloth business at Arena, Oshodi area of Lagos, departed Lagos on January 22 to Addis Ababa.

This, he said, was where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day January 23 and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon to deliver the illicit consignment for a fee of $3,000.

Mr Babafemi stated, “Upon his arrival in Beirut, he said he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the amount required to grant him entry. He was then deported to Addis Ababa where he attempted excreting the illicit drugs but could not. He thereafter proceeded to Lagos on Saturday, January 25 with the consignment in his bowel. He was however arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport by NDLEA officers on January 26. After five days under excretion observation, he could only expel 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

“With the clock ticking for him and the complication of other underlying medical conditions, the suspect was eventually admitted at the tertiary facility. This was where he had to undergo exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine stuck in his stomach after his wife and brother endorsed the necessary consent forms on Thursday, January 30. In all, a total of 81 pellets of the Class A drug with a gross weight of 1.943 kilograms were recovered from his stomach.’’

Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) as commending the officers and men of the MMIA strategic command for their vigilance and professionalism in handling Mr Igbokwe’s case

Mr Marwa warned those involved in the illicit drug trade that they were not only destroying the lives of others, but equally putting their own lives at great risk.

The police command in Kano has arrested the wife and some associates of a suspected Chadian terrorist, Ahmad Adam Abba, who is wanted for masterminding the killing of 17 people in his country.

The arrests were made on the eve of the National Tijjaniyya Maulud ceremony at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano last week.

The state commissioner of police, Salman Garba, said this while speaking with journalists in Kano on Friday.

He said Mr Abba, still at large, was planning to set up a terrorist base in Kano.

Mr Garba said the police had also apprehended three of the suspect’s associates, including his wife, another Chadian named Jibrin Mohammed, and one Nigerian.

“Acting on one of the intelligence reports, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered with discreet investigations in progress.

“The wanted Chadian suspected terrorist escaped out of Nigeria, and we have successfully apprehended three of the suspect’s associates, including his wife, another Chadian named Jibrin Mohammed, 42 years old and a Nigerian.

“They were arrested following a thorough investigation and intelligence-led policing and are currently in custody with investigation ongoing,” he said.

The commissioner said in addition to the latest arrests, the police command had intensified intelligence-gathering efforts across the state.

“Our teams are collaborating closely with other intelligence agencies and the communities to ensure that we are working hand-in-hand to identify any suspicious activities and individuals who may pose a security threat to our society,” he said.

He said patrols, surveillance, and other measures had been intensified in known to be vulnerable to criminals.

Mr Garba also said the command, through its public relations unit, would continue to conduct awareness programmes to educate the public on the importance of reporting suspicious activities.

“It is vital that we foster trust and cooperation between the police and the communities we serve as this partnership is essential in combating crime and preventing likely emerging security threats,” he added.