Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja, thwarted 70 contrabands worth N8.9bn in July. This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by Customs Area Controller Kola Oladeji, who displayed the illicit drugs in Lagos. “Within the period under review, we made 70 seizures with a total duty paid value of N8.09bn that was intercepted,” the Customs officer stated. “Within the period under review, we made 70 seizures with a total duty paid value of N8.09bn that was intercepted,” he stated. Giving a breakdown of the seizures, Oladeji revealed that 6,168 donkey skins weighing 29.606 km…

The executive governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, on Wednesday dismissed insinuations that the state was witnessing an upsurge in violent attacks and killings. He was reacting to gunman attacks on Tuesday night in the Dafo and Kwata towns of the state’s Bokkos Local Government Area, which killed eight people. On Tuesday night, gunmen attacked the town and opened fire on innocent residents, murdering eight people in the two impacted towns. Plateau: Gunmen kill eight in fresh attack Speaking to journalists on Wednesday during a biannual shooting range categorisation exercise held by the 3 Division, Nigerian Army, at its headquarters…

Bill Gates, an American billionaire and philanthropist, said on Wednesday that Nigeria’s economy has stagnated, noting that the country’s revenue-to-GDP ratio was higher 15 years ago than it is today.  He recommended the federal government concentrate health-care investment as a strategy of revitalising the economy. Gates, who attended the National Executive Council meeting at State House in Abuja, emphasised the need for investing in Nigeria’s most precious asset—its people—while addressing the country’s economic challenges. He acknowledged that Nigeria is facing budgetary restrictions but emphasised that the people’s health comes first. Gates said, “Nigeria’s economy has stagnated. Earlier this year, your…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that 188 cases of oil theft were reported in the last week.  According to the state-owned electricity provider, the accidents occurred between August 24 and August 30. In a graphic report, the NNPC stated, “Between the 24th and 30th of August 2024, a total of 188 incidents of oil theft were recorded across several locations in the Niger Delta from different incident sources.” It was discovered that 89 illegal refineries were located and decommissioned in a single week. According to the NNPC, many unlawful connections were discovered this week in Bayelsa,…

The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Damagum, has postponed the party’s National Working Committee meeting until next week due to rising tensions between former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP Governors Forum over the status of Rivers State party congresses.  During the protracted political dispute between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the PDP governors sided with Fubara, requesting that the governor be accepted as the PDP’s leader in Rivers State. The governors’ declaration infuriated Wike, who warned them to stay out of the Rivers state matter or he would ‘put fire’…

Andrew Wynne, a British national declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force, has indicated he will not turn himself in because he fears for his life in the hands of the police.  On Monday, the police proclaimed Wynne and a Nigerian named Lucky Obiyan wanted and slapped a N20 million bounty on them for allegedly attempting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu by sponsoring the country’s recent #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger protest. Wynne refuted the charges and accused the police of failing to offer an invitation to him. However, in a statement released on Tuesday, Force PRO ACP Muyiwa Adejobi stated that…

The Delta State Police Command has apprehended 40 drug dealers at the popular Swees Spirit Hotel Junction in Asaba, the state capital. Chronicle NG gathered that the police, in collaboration with other security stakeholders, conducted a raid operation on Tuesday night. It was gathered that the operation was initiated following credible intelligence regarding a criminal hideout where illicit drug activities were rampant, causing significant distress and harm to society. “During the operation, which was executed with precision and diligence, 40 individuals were arrested for their involvement in the illegal drug trade. “The suspects, in a desperate attempt to evade arrest,…

A 30-year-old Chicago man has been charged with murder after four people were shot and killed on a train, according to authorities.  Forest Park Police have identified the suspect as Rhanni Davis, who faces four counts of first-degree murder. The victims seemed to be asleep on a Blue Line train in the Chicago suburb of Forest Park when they were shot just before 05:30 local time (10:30 GMT) on Monday, according to authorities. According to authorities, three of the victims were found dead at the site, while the fourth died later in the hospital. Authorities have identified two of the…

Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesman for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council, has urged President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi to step aside and not compete in the 2027 elections.  Okonkwo noted their inability to keep their pledges and unite the opposition as grounds for his stance. During an Arise TV interview, Okonkwo emphasised the importance of new faces in politics, claiming that present leaders have disappointed Nigerians. He also chastised the opposition for failing to engage and establish alliances, citing the missed opportunity to elect the speaker and vice speaker of the House of Representatives. Okonkwo’s remarks…

Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan long-distance runner, was still fighting for her life on Wednesday after being set on fire by a Kenyan man, only weeks after competing in the Paris Olympics.  Following the attack on Sunday, the 33-year-old athlete is being treated at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya’s Rift Valley metropolis. Cheptegei had 80 percent of her body burnt, according to the hospital’s interim CEO, Owen Menach, who stated that everything was being done to preserve her life. Chaos as mob sets ablaze bike thief in Ogun  Police said a guy named Dickson Ndiema Marangach doused Cheptegei…