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Customs Destroy Seized Illicit Drugs Worth Over N100bn In Rivers

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Heaps of illegal drugs
By Reporter
Worried at the proliferation of illicit drugs at the nation:s Seaports, the Nigerian Customs Service in collaboration with the office of the National Security Adviser on Wednesday destroyed about sixty containers containing banned products especially illicit drugs worth over one hundreds billion naira, illegally imported into the country.
The items intercepted  at the Customs Area 2 Command, Onne Port, were destroyed and burnt at the Rivers State Waste Management (RIWAMA) dump site along the Port Harcourt Airport Road, in the state.
Assistant Controller General of Customs from the Enforcement,  Inspection and Investigation  Department of the Nigerian  Customs Service, Timi Bomodi, told newsmen that the destruction was a joint operation by a multi agency committee set up by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Bomodi, who also serves as chairman of the committee for the  destruction of illegally imported  pharmaceuticals explained that, “A committee  that  was  set  up by the  National  Security  Adviser comprising all  other  regulatory  agencies.  It’s  a  multi -agency  committee and  it  is  a  national  assignment  that  covers  these  imports  from  across  the  country.
“And  so  we  are  here  today  to carry  out  the  main  objective  of  the  assignment,  which  is  the  destruction.  The  mandate  given  to  this  committee  was  to  identify,  isolate,  evacuate,  and  destroy pharmaceuticals  that  were  illegally  imported  into  this  country.
“Here  in  Port  Harcourt,  we  are  destroying about sixty pieces of 40 -foot containers with an estimated market value that runs into  hundreds of billions of Naira and,  as it is today, we are executing it  without fear of favour.
“This is sending a clear message to all those that are engaged in this kind of practice that they should desist”.
Continuing, Bomodi lamented the impact of the substances on both the well being and security of Nigerians.
He said, “As we know, these  pharmaceuticals pose a very  grave  danger, not only to the  health and well -being of Nigerians, but also to the security of  Nigerians.
“Because some of these substances have been identified  as a means of sustenance for criminals, kidnappers, bandits, and  so on and they’ve used these illegally imported pharmaceuticals  to facilitate their illicit conduct and behavior.
“These containers have been  arrested over time by both officers  of Nigerian customs service and  other agencies. We have the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the National Drug, Law Enforcement Agency, as you must know these  agencies work  together at the port to ensure that there are no  breaches in the security  architecture of the country  especially regards to imports.
“So it is a joint exercise and of  course the Office of the National  Security Adviser who is  coordinating this exercise to  ensure that we do a thorough job in regards to evacuation, isolation  and  destruction”.
The AGC disclosed that some arrests have been made, and warned against the importation of illegal pharmaceuticals.
He vowed that the committee will stop at nothing to bring anyone found wanting to book.
“There were arrests, there are still investigations going on, so I can’t  give  you a definite figure as to the total number of persons arrested. There are cases in court, some have been prosecuted. We have had condemnations on these items. Some of them have fictitious import documents, so you don’t have accurate information concerning the importer.
“But we are making all efforts  trying to see that all those that  are  involved, either directly or remotely, in this activity are brought  to  book.
“We ask them to cease and desist.  It is not the business that will be  profitable to them. And of course,  the long arm of the law will  definitely catch up with them. As  you’ve seen, no matter what  methods they decide to employ, no matter what  strategy they decide  to employ, because all agencies  are now working in synergy, there’s  definitely a brick wall they are  going to encounter and they will  not succeed and we’re telling them Just stop this business because  the waste of time the waste  of  everybody’s time, waste of money.
“And of course they are going to  pay the ultimate price for it, if they  are arrested”.
On his part, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu represented by Commodore Kelechi Ogbonna, while expressing satisfaction with the job done so far, explained that the goal of the exercise was to ensure the products do not get into society.
He said “The objectives  of  the  committee is to identify  the  locations  of  these substandard, fake  and illicit  pharmaceuticals,  as well  as narcotics, such as tramadol and codeine which serve as substances of abuse and also  enhancer for the perpetuation of such nefarious activities as  banditry and other terrorist activities.
“So, the committee swung into  action immediately and identified  Apapa Port, Tinkan Island Port.  Onne Port, Calabar Port as well as Lagos and Aminu Kano international airport to have some of these items.
“The aim is for these items not to find their way in any means back to the society. So the NSA is emphatic that these items must be destroyed, because these items, if  allowed to get to the society, will  pose a  lot of health, security risk  to Nigerians, and in extension,  national security risk.
“The destruction started a few  weeks back from Lagos, phase  one of Lagos, of which over 70  containers were destroyed. Phase  two will continue subsequently  because Lagos has over a hundred containers of these items.
“Today we are beginning with the  destruction of the items here in  Port Harcourt. Right now we have over 60 containers. So, the idea is  to take these things out of the society so that Nigerians will be  healthier and also the physical  security will be enhanced.
“Yes, I am very satisfied because  the multi -agency approach with  the  NSA  adopted is to show the  all of government approach  towards curbing such illegalities.
“Additionally, the cooperation from  the Lagos State Government and  the people of Lagos State as well  as the River State Government has  indicated that all of society approach which is the mantra of  the Federal Government of Nigeria  towards curbing and fighting such  illegalities in the country”.

Law & Crime

Glo Mobile, NCC, Megatech Sued over breach of contract, refusal to pay USD 9, 578, 947 contractual fee

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Judicial logo

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Telecommunication giant, Glo Mobile Limited, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and an indigenous company, Megatech Engineering Limited have been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged breach of contractual agreement.

They were sued by an indigenous Company, Mosakab Nigeria Limited and its promoter, Mashood Mustapha, who are claiming over N20billinon as damages for the unlawful contractual agreement breach.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1534/2024, the two plaintiffs are praying the court for an order voiding or setting aside the sale of the Spectrum Licence in the 2.6 GHZ Band by Megatech to Glomobile on the ground that the purported sale was accentuated by fraud and illegality.

The suit has Megatech Engineering Limited, Glo Mobile and NCC as 1st to 3rd defendants.

In the suit filed by George Ibrahim SAN of Ogwu James Onoja SAN law firm in Abuja, the two plaintiffs asked the court to order Megatech to honour its monetary obligation of ten million US dollars due to them in their Consultancy Agreement executed of June 29, 2017.

Also, they are praying for an order compelling the NCC to revoke the Spectrum License in the 2.6 GHB Band issued to Megatech in March 2020 at their facilitation as Consultants.

Besides, the aggrieved plaintiffs asked that Megatech be ordered to pay them N5bn for breach of contract and another N10bn as general damage for the injury inflicted on them through the breach of the contract.

Similarly, they want the court to order Megatech to allot between 5 to 10 percent of its outstanding shares to the second plaintiff in line with the executed Consultancy agreement of June 29, 2017.

In their statement of claims, the plaintiffs averred that Megatech Company in 2017 consulted and retained their service as consultants to facilitate and secure the procurement of 2.5/2.6 GHZ Band for National License operation.

In furtherance to the engagement, the 1st plaintiff, Mosakab Nigeria Limited was said to have executed a formal agreement in June of the same year prompting its promoter to deploy both human and material resources for the realization of the agreement.

After series of meetings with government agencies, the NCC in March 26, 2020 was said to have offered a Spectrum License of 40 MHZ (TDD) on 2.6 GHZ Band to Megatech for nationwide deployment for a period of 5 years.

After series of correspondences on behalf of Megatech with NCC, plaintiffs claimed that statutory payments were made by the company.

The plaintiffs however claimed that along the lines, Megatech opted to share the Spectrum Band with Glomobile and that they as consultants achieved the feat with NCC and their resources of USD 250, 000

They averred that trouble began when Megatech reneged in the payment of USD 10M due to them but only paid USD 421,052 leaving a balance of USD 9, 578, 947 unpaid despite the formal agreement.

Megatech after taken the benefits of the Spectrum Band allocation was said to have entered into agreement with Glomobile to sell its interest without paying the plaintiffs, outstanding USD 9, 578, 947 as contained in the agreement.

They therefore prayed the court for declaration that they carried out their obligations as contained in the agreement and that they are entitled to be paid USD 9, 578, 947 as outstanding balance.

Plaintiffs also asked the court to compel the defendants to pay them N50M as cost of litigation.

Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed Garba Umar has fixed March 3, 2026 for hearing of the suit.

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Law & Crime

FG hands over 100 Released abducted students of St Mary’s Catholic School to Gov Bago of Niger State

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Released Abducted students of St.Mary Catholic Primary and Secondary School Papiri in Agwara local council of Niger state

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The Federal Government has Hand over the 100 abducted students of St.Mary Catholic Primary and Secondary School Papiri in Agwara local council,to governor Muhammad Umaru Bago of Niger State,at the government house, Minna Monday 8th December 2025.

The National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu represented by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong stated that since the abduction of the children on 21st November 2025,at the school hostel Papiri, federal government has been working assiduous to ensure their rescue and safe return.

Ribadu noted that to ensure the policies to protect the rights of every Nigerian child is safe,had reiterated the unwavering commitment of the security agencies to come up with measures to protect the country and the citizens.

Earlier,Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago who was emotional while receiving the 100 children, appreciated President Bola Tinubu as well as the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for their swift actions in rescuing and recovering of the children.

Bago promised that the rest students still in captivity will be recovered in no distance time and to be re-unite with their parents, appealed for sustainable prayers to ensure their safe return.

In Bago words”.Today is fundamental in redefining the history of Niger state, I am emotionally broken down due to the ages and size of this children, medical officials have been directed to examine their health status to ensure they are healthy”. He added.

The governor stressed that the state government is working in collaboration with the CAN, UNICEF and other relevant authorities to ensure safe return of all the remaining abducted students.

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Law & Crime

Xmas : IPOB assures Igbos of hitch-free Xmas celebration, begs them to return en masse

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IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

By Our Correspondent

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sunday, begged Ndigbo living within Nigeria and in Diaspora who plan to come home for the Christmas festivities to do so, assuring that its security outfit, Eastern Security Network, (ESN, operatives and IPOB volunteers will ensure security throughout the entire South East region within the period under review.

Making the urge through its image maker, Emma Powerful, the movement said that, “The South East Region is Nigeria’s most tranquil area. Despite the sponsored instability in the East over the last 4 years, the security conditions have notably enhanced.

“The government and their backed criminals have depleted their orchestrated insecurity employed to blackmail IPOB and ESN. Despite all the antics and deadly deeds of hyenas and jackals, the landowners remain present to defend and hold onto their territory. The Eastern region has consistently been secure and will always remain secure since Ndigbo are inherently peaceful.

“Thus, we urge Ndigbo and their friends wishing to visit Ala Igbo this Christmas to return home and experience the warmth of the Land of the Rising Sun. Our people need to disregard the funded and exaggerated media effort portraying insecurity in the Biafra region.

“We acknowledge that there are areas of insecurity in Biafra Land, as we are affected by the broader insecurity occurring in Nigeria. Nonetheless, IPOB and ESN, alongside the support of Ndigbo, have performed admirably in maintaining the security of Alaigbo relative to other areas.

“We aim to take this opportunity to clarify the false rumors circulating on social media regarding the alleged kidnapping of some passengers at Ngor Okpala along the Owerri – Aba expressway recently. The mentioned kidnapping event was false.

“The footage of the abduction incident was an old clip that reappeared on social media. Numerous security tasks have been carried out discreetly by the ESN Operatives without any social media attention. The public should be aware that ESN lacks any social media accounts.

“Do not anticipate observing their activities on social media apart from those that IPOB leadership has authorized for posting. The absence of continuous killings and abductions in that Eastern region serves as evidence that there are Lions guarding the Land. Those spreading the falsehood that ESN Operatives have been wiped out should question the Fulani terrorists about their avoidance of the Eastern region. The Igbo proverb states, “onye si na Osimmiri atala, ya tinye ukwu ya” (whoever claims a river is dry should place their feet in it).

“The Nigerian government, along with certain self-serving Igbo politicians, has attempted and been unsuccessful in breaking up ESN and IPOB. The Biafra Restoration project led by IPOB is a sacred initiative. Thus, darkness cannot eliminate light. The restoration of Biafra is a summons from Chukwu Okike Abiama (God Almighty), and it will materialize at the appropriate moment. In the end, we invite our people to come back home for Christmas in large numbers and to also bring some investments to be made in our region.

“Do not allow anyone or the government to use fear tactics to make you abandon Biafra Land. We greet you during this joyful season. May God bless each of you and provide safe travels on roads, oceans, and in the air. Iseeeee”, IPOB prayed.

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