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The Adamawa-Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized contraband petroleum products, second-hand clothes, donkey skin and donkey meat, as well as unregistered drugs over the past six weeks.

The seizures, made mostly within Adamawa State, have a duty-paid value of more than N98 million.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of the Adamawa-Taraba Command, Comptroller Mohammed Tanko, gave details of the seized items during a press conference at the command headquarters in Yola on Wednesday, explaining that the success was the result of the command’s anti-smuggling operations within the period under review.

He disclosed that on Tuesday, February 26, 2026, at 1:10 pm, officers intercepted 43 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, as well as five cartons and 12 packages of Viagra 200 mg tablets, along the Savannah-Numan axis in Adamawa State.

According to him, similarly, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 4:15 pm along the Mubi-Sangere axis (Adamawa), 509 pieces of raw complete donkey skin and 460 kg of dried donkey meat were seized.

He added that on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 6:10 pm, operatives intercepted 110 x 25L jerry cans of PMS, 25 litres each, along the Likitaba-Gembu axis of Taraba State.

“Additionally, 520 Jerry cans of 25 litres each of PMS and 112x25L Jerry cans of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were seized on Sunday, 15th March 2026, at about 0200hrs along Mubi-Sahuda axis,” the Customs controller said.

Still enumerating the activities of his officers, Tanko said 482 x 25L jerry cans of PMS were seized on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at about 10:10 pm along the Maiha-Belel axis (Adamawa).

“Finally, on Monday, 11th April, 2026, at about 0025 hrs, officers of the Command intercepted 176x25L Jerry Cans and 3x220L drums of PMS along Toungo-Ganye axis (Adamawa),” he said.

He clarified that in total, 1,288 jerry cans and three drums containing approximately 32,860 litres of PMS, alongside 2,800 litres of AGO packed in 112 jerry cans of 25-litre capacity and other listed items, were seized with an aggregate duty-paid value of N98,375,325.00.

He explained that the seizures were carried out pursuant to the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and Schedule 6 (Export Prohibition List) of the Common External Tariff (CET), which empower the NCS to prevent the illegal exportation of PMS and raw donkey skin and meat out of the country and give officers the powers to detain, seize and condemn smuggled goods.

“Smuggling of petroleum products, wildlife and unregistered pharmaceuticals undermines national security, public health and economic stability. There will be zero tolerance for such illegal acts. Let me reiterate that offenders will face seizures of goods, arrest and prosecution without exception,” Tanko said.

Customs seizes N98m worth of contraband in Adamawa, Taraba crackdown

Former Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, has formally declared his intention to contest for the Senate, positioning himself as the most experienced and qualified candidate for the role. Ajayi said his ambition is anchored on a long and diverse political trajectory that spans local government administration, legislative responsibilities, party leadership, and executive governance. He […]

Dr Farah Dagogo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADZ, has called on the newly elected National Executive of the party, led by its National Chairman, David Mark, to rise to the urgent responsibility of restoring Nigerians’ confidence in governance and leadership.

Mark was elected as the substantive National Chairman of the ADC at a well attended national convention held in Abuja, securing 1,471 votes.

Speaking on the sidelines of the convention, Dagogo, a former member of the House of Representatives, congratulated the new leadership on their emergence.

He, however, emphasized that the moment calls for more than celebration, noting that widespread public expectations are already placing significant demands on the party to provide a credible and effective opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dr Dagogo described Senator Mark as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished Senate Presidents, highlighting his distinguished career and track record of public service.

He expressed confidence in the party’s decision, noting that the ADC has entrusted leadership to an individual with proven capacity and integrity.

The former lawmaker further stressed that the newly elected executive must remain proactive and focused, as they now carry the aspirations of millions of Nigerians grappling with economic hardship, security challenges, and governance deficits.

“I have strong confidence in the temperament, competence, and leadership abilities of Senator David Mark to not only guide the ADC but also to represent the collective hopes and aspirations of Nigerians seeking a rekindled national direction,” Dr Dagogo stated.

He added that, with a team of equally accomplished individuals, the ADC is well positioned to lay a solid foundation towards addressing the country’s pressing challenges.

According to him, many Nigerians increasingly view the party as a viable alternative capable of delivering economic stability, security, and national prosperity.

Dr Dagogo further underscored the weight of public expectation placed on the new leadership:

“To whom much support, trust, and goodwill are given, much more is expected in return. Nigerians are deeply invested in the ADC, seeing it as a credible platform to drive meaningful change and build a more secure and prosperous future for all, ” he added.

The convention was a success as party faithful, delegates and stalwarts gathered at the venue, where they eventually voted to amend the party’s constitution.

The delegates overwhelmingly voted to amend the party’s constitution. Out of the 1,576 delegates accredited, 1,471 voted in favour of the amendment, a 94 per cent approval.

Prominent ADC leaders that were at the convention included ; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Governors, Peter Obi (Anambra), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Musa Kwankwaso ( Kano), Aminu Tambuwal ( Sokoto) and Rauf Aregbesola ( Osun).

Also in attendance were several serving and former members of the National Assembly, including former Ministers and established Nigerians.

Rise, you carry aspiration of Nigerians – Ex-Rivers Rep, Dagogo to David Mark, ADC

Your laptop’s USB port is one of the most underrated features on your device. While many users see it simply as a charging outlet or a place to plug in a flash drive, it actually serves as a powerful interface that connects your computer to a wide range of tools and functions. 

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has discharged socialite and nightclub owner, Mike Nwalie, popularly known as Pretty Mike, alongside his club supervisor, Joachim Hillary, after upholding their no-case submission in a drug-related suit instituted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ruled that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.

“The evidence placed before the court does not disclose a prima facie case requiring the defendants to enter their defence,” the judge held, noting further that the material presented by the prosecution, “at its highest, raises mere suspicion, which cannot ground a criminal conviction.”

Pretty Mike, who owns the Proxy Lagos nightclub located in Victoria Island, and Hillary had earlier been arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession of prohibited substances, and allegedly permitting the use of the premises for illicit drug activities.

The NDLEA had informed the court that its operatives conducted a raid on the nightclub on October 26, during which they allegedly recovered 169 cylinders of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas, weighing 384.662 kilograms, as well as 200 grams of cannabis.

According to the agency, the substances were intended for use at an illegal drug-related gathering, and it sought to prove that the defendants were aware of and exercised control over the items recovered on the premises.

The prosecution also urged the court to order the forfeiture of the nightclub, describing it as an instrument used in the commission of a crime.

However, counsel to the defendants, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, argued that the prosecution failed to establish any direct link between his clients and the alleged offences.

“The prosecution has not led any credible evidence establishing ownership, possession, or knowledge of the alleged substances by the defendants.

“Mere suspicion, however strong, cannot take the place of proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” Ojukwu submitted.

He further contended that the evidence presented was inconsistent and legally insufficient to warrant the defendants being called upon to open their defence.

In his ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa agreed with the defence, holding that the case did not meet the required legal threshold.

“I find that the prosecution has not made out a prima facie case against the defendants,” the judge ruled.

“To require them to enter their defence would amount to speculation rather than judicial reasoning,” he added.

Lagos court discharges Pretty Mike, supervisor in NDLEA drug case

A former Chairman of Okene Local Government and House of Representatives aspirant for

The Nasarawa State Government has announced the selection of Alhaji Suleiman Ahmed-Eko as the new Osu Ajiri of Udege Chiefdom in Nasarawa…

The International Monetary Fund has warned that rising global debt and persistent energy price shocks triggered by the escalating Middle East conflict could significantly weaken the global economy, with public debt projected to reach 100 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2029.

In its latest Fiscal Monitor report released on Wednesday, the IMF said intensifying geopolitical tensions have compounded existing fiscal vulnerabilities, as higher interest rates and surging energy prices continue to strain government finances, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies.

The Fund also cautioned that the global economy faces heightened recession risks if crude oil prices remain elevated above $100 per barrel through 2027, amid ongoing supply disruptions linked to the conflict.

Director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, Rodrigo Valdés said governments should avoid broad-based fuel subsidies despite mounting political pressure, stressing that such measures distort price signals and could worsen the global energy imbalance.

Instead, he recommended targeted and temporary cash transfers to cushion vulnerable populations without undermining necessary market adjustments.

“We don’t have oil. We don’t have energy. Energy needs to be more expensive for everybody so that the adjustment happens and consumption declines,” Valdés said, underscoring the importance of allowing prices to reflect supply realities.

He added that attempts by governments to suppress rising energy costs could have unintended global consequences, pushing prices even higher and delaying demand adjustments needed to stabilise markets.

According to the IMF, global public debt rose to 93.9 per cent of GDP in 2025, up from 92 per cent in 2024, and is expected to climb further to 100 per cent by 2029, earlier than previously projected.

The Fund noted that this would mark the highest level of government indebtedness since the aftermath of World War II.

Debt levels are projected to continue rising beyond that period, reaching 102.3 per cent of GDP by 2031, driven by structural spending pressures, weaker revenue growth, and higher borrowing costs.

Interest payments are also rising sharply, accounting for nearly 3 per cent of global GDP in 2025, compared to about 2 per cent four years earlier, further squeezing fiscal space for governments.

The IMF highlighted emerging risks in global debt markets, including the increasing role of non-traditional investors such as hedge funds, which it described as less stable long-term holders of sovereign debt. It also pointed to declining debt maturities, making countries more vulnerable to short-term interest rate fluctuations.

Additional fiscal pressures identified in the report include rising security expenditures, increased spending on energy transition and climate change, as well as growing debt servicing costs at a time when government revenues have not kept pace.

The Fund further warned that trade and financial fragmentation, political instability, and sudden market corrections, including in fast-growing sectors such as artificial intelligence, could tighten global financial conditions and dampen growth.

Valdés stressed that while the world is not yet at a crisis point, delays in implementing fiscal reforms could significantly increase risks.

“We’re not at a crisis point, but the more countries delay adjustment measures, the steeper the eventual correction and the higher the risk of disorderly fiscal consolidation,” he said.

He urged governments to begin planning credible fiscal consolidation strategies once immediate economic pressures ease, noting that while some countries have made progress, many still lack clearly defined plans to stabilise their public finances over the medium term.

The IMF reiterated that restoring fiscal buffers, improving revenue mobilisation, and ensuring efficient public spending will be critical to navigating the current global economic uncertainty and safeguarding long-term growth.

Oil Crisis May Push Global Economy Into Recession, IMF Warns is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told CNN in an interview on Quest Means Business on Tuesday that the oil prices will not crash immediately even if the war stops today.