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A 93-year-old great grandfather and a 69-year-old medical doctor are among suspects arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as it intensifies nationwide operations against drug trafficking networks.

The arrests were disclosed in a statement on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

According to the agency, the nonagenarian, Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, was arrested at his residence in Umuagbaigba, Amavo Nkwogu village, Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State on April 7, 2026.

A search of his home led to the recovery of 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis. The suspect reportedly said he had been using the substance since 1959 and went into the drug trade over a year ago.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives uncovered an international drug trafficking link following the arrest of an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

He was found with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan via Addis Ababa.

Further investigation led to the arrest of a 69-year-old medical doctor, Dr Chudi Daniel Ofomata, in Ogun State. NDLEA said he was identified as the alleged coordinator of the drug movement. Substances including promazepam and promethazine injections were recovered from him.

The agency also reported multiple arrests and seizures across several states. In Ogun State, three suspects were apprehended with 34 kilograms of skunk at Sango Ota, while a 26-year-old woman was arrested in Imo State with 56.2 kilograms of the same substance.

In Niger State, a couple was arrested after 118 kilograms of skunk were discovered in their home. In Borno State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a trailer conveying pharmaceutical opioids, including Rohypnol, codeine syrup, and pentazocine injections, concealed among spare parts.

In Lagos, a commercial bus heading to Port Harcourt was intercepted along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leading to the seizure of 15 kilograms of “Scottish Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, and the arrest of two suspects. In a separate operation in the state, officers recovered 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup from a truck in Mushin.

NDLEA also raided a drug joint in Abuja, arresting eight suspects and recovering over 11 kilograms of skunk.

In Edo State, operatives intercepted two trucks carrying a total of 7,245 kilograms of skunk concealed among cartons of beer. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Commending officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised the agency’s commands for maintaining efforts in both drug supply reduction and demand control nationwide.

NDLEA arrests 93-year-old great grandpa, medical doctor arrested over cocaine, skunk trafficking

An Abia State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Mascot Uzor-Kalu, has rejected an alleged attempt to impose a candidate on the party through a planned endorsement meeting in Umuahia.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Kalu alleged that members of the APC State Executive, LGA chairmen, and selected stakeholders were mobilised under the guise of a meeting for the re-election campaign of President Bola Tinubu, but insisted that the gathering may be aimed at endorsing a preferred aspirant.

He warned that any consensus arrangement carried out without the involvement of all aspirants would be “null and void” and unacceptable.

The statement read, “My attention has been drawn to a so-called stakeholders’ meeting being convened in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, today, April 12, 2026, where members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Executive, LGA chairmen, and other handpicked party stakeholders have been reportedly instructed to mobilise 20 persons per ward under the belief that the meeting is about the presidential campaign for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Credible information available to me indicates that this gathering is nothing more than a premeditated plan to foist an aspirant on the party through an endorsement charade.

“Let it be stated clearly and without ambiguity: any premeditated consensus arrangement orchestrated by the APC State Working Committee (SWC) and stakeholders, without the participation of all aspirants contesting for the same position, is illegitimate, unacceptable, and null and void ab initio. Such an imposition will be met with stiff and unequivocal resistance.

“The APC must not be reduced to a tool for personal ambition. Party executives were elected to uphold fairness and internal democracy, not to impose candidates,” Kalu stated.

He continued, “I therefore caution the Abia APC SWC to desist from actions that could undermine party unity and credibility. The era of coercion, backdoor arrangements, and political puppetry is over. As elected custodians of the party structure, members of the SWC must remain neutral and refrain from dancing to the tune of any aspirant.

“I stand firm with all Abians; no amount of intimidation will make me step down. Every Abian has the constitutional right to run for any political office they deem fit. We shall not be cajoled into believing that one individual, who is not prepared to run for office, is now the anointed candidate.

“The APC SWC is hereby warned to desist from attending any pro-group meetings, especially those convened by aspirants. The integrity of our party is non-negotiable, and any attempt to subvert it will be strongly challenged.”

When contacted, the Abia APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Uche Aguoru, dismissed the alleged plans by the State Working Committee.

He insisted that the State Executive Committee, led by Mr Chijioke Chukwu, remains firmly committed to providing a level playing field for all aspirants.

He said, “The alleged endorsement exists only in the imagination of those raising such concerns.

“Neither the State Working Committee (SWC) nor the enlarged EXCO has endorsed any aspirant at any level. We will ensure that the primary election is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

“It is not unusual for politicians to raise such concerns as part of the political process, often seeking reassurance about fairness.

“However, for us in the SWC, our position is clear: we have no preferred aspirant, we are not endorsing anyone, and we are fully dedicated to ensuring equal opportunity for all.”

Abia APC Governorship Aspirant Alleges Imposition Plot, Party Denies is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

 
The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, has tasked the management of the Dangote Group of Companies on the need to expand the annual production capacity of its subsidiary, the Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), to 600,000 metric tonnes by the year 2030.
 

The Minister, accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, gave the charge when he visited the DSR Complex in Numan, Adamawa state.
 

The visit was part of the ongoing strategic inspection of sugar projects across the country in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to concerned officials for the acceleration of Nigeria’s attainment of self-sufficiency in sugar production.
 

The Minister noted that the current local sugar production is a far cry from the 1.8 million metric tonnes that the country consumes annually, adding that as a leader in the sector, the DSR must contribute at least 600,000 metric tonnes in the year 2030 and sustain it.
 

“DSR is a vey big player in the industry, one of the three major operators. Our circumstances in this sector will continue to depend on what DSR does. It is very important. I mean since coming to this ministry, I found the NSDC Executive Secretary to be hardworking and passionate about sugar sector development. I have seen the commitment he has demonstrated. But that is the much he can give, he needs to get the cooperation of everyone to make sure that we achieve the laudable goals of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).

“I have lost count of the number of times Mr. President has talked about developments in the sugar industry in Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings and other sessions,” he said, adding that the 600,000 MT target must be delivered by DSR before 2031.
 

While commending the NSDC for the great job it has done in motivating and monitoring the operators, the Minister noted that the scale of infrastructure, level of investment, and degree of project advancement – especially at the new 6000 TCD plant – observed at DSR reflect a tangible commitment to the objectives of the Backward Integration Programme (BIP).  
 

He commended the DSR team for the commitment to improving recent performances, adding that the federal government is willing to work with them to eradicate all obstacles to increased local sugar production in the country.
 

“I am indeed very happy with what I have seen today but scaling up production to be able to meet Mr. President’s expectations is very important.

“My final comment would be to encourage you, just to let you know that my visit here is to show government’s continuous seriousness and how important government looks at our ability as a country to be self-sufficient in sugar production,” the Minister said.

Fielding questions from journalists on the sidelines on the visit, the Minister continued, “The DSR is not new to government’s Backward Programme (BIP). I can appreciate the entire ecosystem, the community of people, people all work in here, people gainfully employed, there is value addition in terms of harvested cane being processed to refine sugar.

“So, the programme is on course, you know, the only thing is that it needs to be accelerated much more. The NSMP is in its 12th or 13th year. It has expectations and projections in terms of what is supposed to be achieved for a country whose sugar consumption yearly is about 1.8 million metric tonnes. And the fact that Dangote Sugar is at the top among the major operators, so much more is expected from it.

“I mean, there is a commitment on the part of Dangote Sugar to be able to increase its annual production to about 600,000 metric tonnes by 2030 and government is available and ready to work with them in terms of what needs to be done to push them over the line.

“We are aware that there are issues that remain nagging and one of those issues has to do with affordable long term finance, what is called patient capital. We are looking to what extent government can get involved to assist and enable them raise the required capital.”

Also speaking, the Vice President of the Dangote Group, Mr. Olakunle Alake, assured the Minister of the company’s renewed commitment to invest more resources and scale up its production capacity, promising that 600,000 MT target will be met in the year 2030.
 

ENDS

FG Tasks Dangote Group On 600,000MT Sugar Production Target is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

…Says Nigerian lives so devalued world no longer even bothers to condole A former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, has said a fresh wave of mass killings across Nigeria, many of them underreported, has intensified concerns over global indifference, as repeated attacks in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, parts of the North-Central region, and […]

Amnesty International has raised fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in northern Nigeria, revealing that at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026. In a statement shared on Sunday on its X page, the organisation called on the Federal Government, led by Bola Tinubu, to take urgent and decisive action to […]

The Delta State Police Command has revealed how a 17-year-old boy allegedly hacked into celebrities’ WhatsApp accounts and sold explicit materials to fellow students.

This was disclosed in a video shared by comedian Otaghware Onodjayeke, popularly known as I Go Save, during a security awareness programme where he spoke with the Divisional Police Officer of Ugborikoko Division, Uvwie Local Government Area, Temi Agbede-Zuokumor.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by OTAGHWARE O. ONODJAYEKE (@igosave)

Agbede-Zuokumor said the case was uncovered after officers conducted a routine check on a student’s phone, which first raised suspicion.

She said the student’s mother initially claimed the device belonged to his sister, but inconsistencies in her explanation led officers to investigate further.

“The woman looked very modest, so I asked her if she was from Deeper Life. She said no. I then asked why her son took a phone to school, and she claimed it belonged to his sister,” she said.

She added that officers decided to inspect the phone after her suspicions were triggered.

“Something told me to check the phone. When we did, we discovered that everything on the device belonged to the boy,” she said.

According to her, the phone contained over 80 foreign contacts, including Australian numbers, as well as a large volume of explicit materials.

“We saw several foreign numbers, over 80 Australian lines, and the phone was filled with pornographic content,” she said.

She further disclosed that the suspect allegedly sold explicit materials to classmates, who reportedly referred to him as “boss.”

“We also saw chats with his classmates asking if he had explicit content to sell. They were calling him ‘boss’ in school,” she added.

Investigations also allegedly showed that the teenager had gained access to WhatsApp accounts belonging to celebrities and used them to solicit money from victims.

“We discovered he had access to WhatsApp accounts of some celebrities, which he used to demand money from unsuspecting victims,” she said.

Speaking during the session, comedian I Go Save recounted a similar experience involving a suspected scammer impersonating Elon Musk.

“That was how someone impersonating Elon Musk messaged me, saying he was stranded and needed a recharge card,” he said.

“I was surprised and asked which network he used. The person later sent an Opay account,” he added.

The police urged parents and school authorities to remain vigilant, warning that cyber-related crimes among young people are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Vanguard News

The post Video: Teenager hacks celebrities’ WhatsApp, sells ‘adult contents’ to classmates in Delta appeared first on Vanguard News.

Sevilla head coach, Luis Garcia Plaza is banking on Akor Adams to help the club in the fight against relegation, DAILY POST reports.

Los Rojiblancos defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 at home on Saturday night to end their three-game losing streak in LaLiga.

Sevilla moved to 15th position on the table following the win, three points above the relegation zone.

Adams opened the scoring for Plaza’s side against Barcelona.

The Nigeria international is currently Sevilla’s leading scorer in LaLiga this season, with eight goals from 26 appearances.

The gaffer believed that the striker would be vital for his team.

“Akor who still has more to give us because he’s capable, Rubén until his energy ran out… The academy players have to give us that extra energy, but everyone is important,” Plaza told the club’s official website.

LaLiga: Sevilla boss banks on Adams in relegation fight

A gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State in the 2027 general elections, Sharafadeen Alli has met APC executives in his ward 3 in Ibadan North local government area.

DAILY POST gathered that Alli represents the Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of APC.

He met the ward executives on Saturday in Ibadan, the state capital.

Our correspondent learnt that the meeting became necessary ahead of his official declaration slated for Friday.

The lawmaker who doubles as the Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland while addressing the party executives, called for unity among APC members in the state.

He described the party as the vehicle for the progress and development of the state.

Alli while speaking said he will offer purposeful leadership in the state.

The lawmaker while speaking said, “At the strategic gathering, the distinguished senator formally unveiled his ambition to contest the 2027 gubernatorial election in Oyo State. Addressing the Ward 03 executives, he expressed his readiness to offer purposeful leadership and a renewed vision for the state.

“Senator Alli emphasized his commitment to contesting under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the party as a strong vehicle for progressive governance and sustainable development in Oyo State. He also called for unity, dedication, and collective effort among party members as the journey toward 2027 begins”.

2027: Oyo guber aspirant, Alli meets ward executives ahead of Friday’s declaration

Veteran Nollywood actor and broadcaster Patrick Doyle has announced the birth of a baby girl with his new wife, Funmilayo, expressing gratitude to God over the latest addition to his family.

Doyle made the announcement in a Facebook post on Saturday, revealing that the child, named Omayinuwa Mayen Harriet Doyle, was born on Friday at about 10:40 am.

“To the glory of God, I announce the precious addition of a female child to my quiver.

“OMAYINUWA MAYEN HARRIET DOYLE was born yesterday at about 10:40 AM. Mother and child are doing well and daddy is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to God Almighty,” he wrote.

The announcement has since attracted congratulatory messages from fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.

In a separate development, it would be recalled that Doyle’s former wife, Ireti Doyle, confirmed their divorce in 2023 during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo on WithChude, where she said:

“We are officially divorced,” she said.

The former couple got married in 2004 and share children together. Their separation had long been the subject of speculation before it was publicly confirmed, with Ireti Doyle later explaining that she initially chose to keep details private as a family matter.

Vanguard News

The post Actor Patrick Doyle welcomes child with new wife appeared first on Vanguard News.

 Statement Issued By 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒚 & 𝑻𝒂𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆

Our attention has been drawn to misleading media reports claiming that the Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele has “finally admitted errors in the new tax laws.” These publications misrepresent the Minister’s statements, falsely alleging that he urged Nigerians to await the outcome of a “legislative probe”, a process that has long been concluded and the gazetted copies certified by the National Assembly published since early January 2026.

This twisted narrative is unhelpful as it risks distorting public understanding and misleading the very people the reforms were designed to benefit.

The Minister, during a recent fireside chat at the NBA SLP conference in Lagos, highlighted the early positive impact of the new tax laws, including thousands of informal businesses now seeking CAC registration daily while the number of individuals registered for tax purposes nationwide has increased from barely 10 million before the reform to over 100 million.

These impressive results stem from the robust design and progressive nature of the new laws, which include:

– Exemption of small companies from tax.

– Increased exemption thresholds for low-income earners.

– Tax exemptions on basic consumption items like food, education, healthcare, transportation, and rent.

– Introduction of the Tax Ombud to protect taxpayer right.

The Minister contrasted the transformative changes in the new laws with the regressive provisions in the old laws. He however emphasised that no law is perfect. Therefore, ongoing stakeholder engagement is essential to identify and address any errors or gaps for appropriate legislative updates through Finance Bills as part of a continuous improvement process.

We urge members of the public to disregard sensational headlines and twisted narratives and rely exclusively on official sources and credible media organisations for accurate information regarding the tax reform and other government policies.

God bless Nigeria!

-𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒚 & 𝑻𝒂𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆