Author: Opalim Lifted

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 22 packages of suspected cocaine worth about N1 billion along the Badagry–Seme corridor. The seizure, conducted by the NCS Seme Area Command, was formally handed over on Friday at the Federal Operations Unit Zone A to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs, represented by Timi Bomodi, deputy comptroller-general in charge of enforcement, investigation, and inspection, said the interception took place in the early hours of February 10 at 3:00am. Bomodi explained: “Our officers intercepted a Toyota Highlander carrying 22 packages suspected to be cocaine. The drugs were…

Five US military aircraft and the first batch of United States troops arrived in north-east Nigeria ahead of a joint offensive against ISWAP terrorists in the region. The New York Times reports that a US military aircraft touched down in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on Thursday night. By Friday evening, three aircraft were visible at the base, with equipment being offloaded from at least one of them. According to Brant Philip, a counter-terrorism researcher and expert, the military aircraft touched down in air force bases across Nigeria’s northern region over the past few days. On Tuesday, Reuters reported that…

A government ambulance struck and ran over a woman near the finish line during the 11th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on February 14. A viral video of the incident shows runners proceeding along a road before the ambulance approached from behind and hit the victim. The clip has sparked widespread shock and concern on social media, with netizens questioning emergency vehicle protocols, crowd management, and driver response during the race. The Lagos state government described the incident as “unfortunate.” Gbenga Omotoso, commissioner for information and strategy in Lagos, said the ambulance part of the marathon’s medical emergency response team…

Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder and head of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke-Afa, Lagos, has inaugurated a mosque he personally built and named after President Bola Tinubu’s late mother, Abibatu Mogaji. The inauguration ceremony took place on Saturday during Ayodele’s annual thanksgiving event at Oke-Afa in Lagos. The event drew dignitaries from religious, traditional, political, and entertainment circles, including Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Tinubu’s first daughter, who sent delegates in her absence, and Agbu Kefas, governor of Taraba State, who was represented by his special adviser on Islamic matters. Speaking at the event, Ayodele described the project as a “direct divine instruction” he…

African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Peter Obi, has paid an emotional tribute to the late Distinguished Senator Okechukwu Ezea, describing him as a true servant of the people who placed humanity above personal ambition. Obi spoke on Saturday after attending Ezea’s funeral in Nsukka, Enugu State, where political leaders, clergy and community members gathered to honour the former lawmaker’s life and legacy. In a heartfelt message, Obi said Ezea stood out from the moment they met in politics. According to him, the late senator remained unwavering in his commitment to the welfare of the people of Nsukka throughout their political…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its alleged failure to account for and explain the whereabouts of N3 trillion in missing or diverted public funds, including over N629 billion paid to “unknown beneficiaries” under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. The lawsuit followed grave allegations contained in the latest annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on 9 September 2025. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/250/2026, filed last at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct thet and compel the CBN…

The long-running mystery surrounding the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, has erupted into a fresh political row between Nasir El-Rufai and Abdullahi Ganduje. Dadiyata, a vocal social media commentator, was abducted on August 2, 2019, by unidentified gunmen as he drove into his residence in Barnawa, Kaduna. His disappearance triggered nationwide outrage and sustained legal action by his family and civil society groups. In 2020, a federal high court in Kaduna ordered the Department of State Security (DSS) and other agencies to produce him. The DSS denied holding him. Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, El-Rufai distanced…

China has announced it will implement a zero-tariff policy for imports from 53 African countries from May 1, 2026, in a sweeping move expected to deepen trade ties across the continent. According to Reuters, the policy will apply to all African nations with diplomatic relations with China except Eswatini. The initiative builds on commitments under the Changsha Declaration within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework. Beijing had earlier pledged full zero-tariff access covering 100 percent of tariff lines for eligible African countries, including Nigeria. China’s foreign ministry said the policy is part of broader efforts to align with the…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Adamawa State chapter has directed church leaders across the state to ensure that eligible members obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and actively participate in the democratic process. In a formal communication signed by the State Chairman, Rev. Dr. Joel Danjuma Manzo, the association instructed all bloc leaders, bishops, denominational heads, pastors, and leaders of Christian organisations within the state to ensure compliance with the directive. According to the statement, all eligible church members under their supervision must possess a valid PVC. Those who do not currently have one are required to take immediate…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised cheque violations penalties to as much as N10 million per infraction, tightening compliance rules for banks and accredited cheque printers. In a circular dated February 10 and signed by Hamisu Abdullahi, director of the Banking Services Department, the regulator said the tougher sanctions are aimed at strengthening the Nigerian clearing system and aligning operations with current industry realities. The revised framework replaces the 2019 regime and introduces a tiered penalty structure based on the severity and frequency of offences. Banks that fail to submit personalised cheques for mandatory testing face an initial…