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EDITORIAL – Drugs, drivers, and students

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives in Cebu City recently arrested a woman accused of selling drugs in Barangay Quiot Pardo.

The NBI normally handles high-profile domestic or transnational criminal cases, cybercrimes, and cases involving corruption and human trafficking. So what were they doing in a drug case involving a mere pusher?

The bureau said it took particular interest in this one because it involved someone who was allegedly operating near three schools and a bus station, and selling drugs to public utility drivers, as well as students.

“The reason why we conducted this operation, although we seldom operate on drugs, is because of the impact on the surrounding businesses and communities adjacent to that particular location,” said the agent handling the case, Atty. Wenceslao Galindez.

It’s no secret that some drivers use shabu to help them drive longer. The drug is a stimulant and can actually be counted on to help them stay awake and concentrate longer.

It’s also no secret that some students turn to drugs for the exact same purpose; help them stay awake and concentrate longer.

However, we all know how drugs work; they have serious side effects like addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and hallucinations.

For students, an addiction can be bad. Especially when money intended for tuition, ‘miscellaneous fees’, school supplies, and rent, among others, now goes to feeding a drug habit.

For drivers, it can even be dangerous, and not just to themselves, but their passengers and others on the road too. Driving while drunk is one thing, driving while drugged is another.

Galindez said other pushers in that same area are also targeting students and drivers in particular.

“Actually there are a lot of them selling drugs in that particular location. They move from one place to the other,’ he went on to say.

Law enforcers, the barangays, and schools should band together to make sure students and drivers don’t become prospective customers for drug pushers.

Because it’s certainly a bad development if many pushers have become so bold as to now position themselves in ‘strategic’ areas near schools and places where they frequent.

Beta Glass posts N16.2bn H1 profit, eyes stronger margins in H2

Nigerian Breweries Plc has deepened its recovery from recent financial headwinds, posting a strong half-year performance that saw revenue rise to N804 billion while restoring its retained earnings to a positive position, a milestone that signals renewed financial stability for Nigeria’s largest brewing company.

The brewer’s unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, released on Wednesday, showed that group revenue climbed 9 per cent from N738 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, driven by improved revenue management, stronger sales execution and sustained demand for its premium beer and malt brands.

The return of retained earnings to positive territory marks one of the most significant developments in the company’s recovery journey after years of pressure from soaring foreign exchange losses, high financing costs and macroeconomic challenges.

Financial analysts say the achievement strengthens the company’s balance sheet and enhances its capacity to fund future growth without relying on debt.

The results also showed that operating profit increased by 8 per cent to N164 billion, up from N152 billion in the first half of 2025, despite a sharp 20 per cent increase in selling, distribution and administrative expenses.

The brewer’s profitability was further supported by a significant decline in financing costs, with net finance expenses falling by 61 per cent. This contributed to an 18 per cent increase in profit before tax, underscoring the impact of improved financial management and a stronger liquidity position.

Although the company reported a higher profit after tax of N193 billion, representing a 5 per cent increase over the N184 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, management said the implementation of the new tax rates moderated what would have been a stronger bottom-line growth.

Commenting on the performance, the Company Secretary and Legal Director, Uaboi Agbebaku, said Nigerian Breweries remained resilient despite operating in a challenging business environment characterised by macroeconomic volatility.

According to him, the revenue growth reflects the success of the company’s revenue management strategies, sustained investment in strategic brands, disciplined execution across the value chain and continued strong performance of its premium portfolio and malt category.

He noted that the company’s gross profit margin expanded by two percentage points, while operating performance continued to improve alongside the reduction in financing costs.

‘The impact of the new tax rates limited the group net profit growth to 5 per cent,’ Agbebaku said.

Beyond the earnings growth, the company highlighted further improvements in its financial structure, stating that it maintained zero borrowing throughout the period.

Management said the debt-free position has improved liquidity, reduced financing pressure and provided greater flexibility to navigate changing market conditions while supporting ongoing strategic priorities.

The restoration of positive retained earnings is expected to improve investor confidence, strengthen the company’s capital position and potentially enhance its capacity for future shareholder value creation.

We’ll preach in buses despite bill, PFN tells Senate

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yesterday vowed to continue preaching in commercial vehicles across the country despite a controversial provision in the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, prescribing a ?50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching in commercial buses.

Declaring that the church would not be intimidated, PFN President Bishop Wale Oke said Christians were prepared to face arrest and imprisonment rather than abandon what he described as their divine mandate to preach the gospel.

The proposed amendment has triggered nationwide debate, with religious organisations, lawyers and other stakeholders divided over whether the provision is a legitimate road safety measure or an infringement on the constitutional right to freedom of religion.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Oke insisted that no legislation could override the biblical command for Christians to evangelise.

‘We will preach in buses. If they want to imprison us, let them come and arrest us. We are coming. We will preach in buses; they cannot stop us,’ he said.

The cleric, who also leads Sword of the Spirit Ministries International, said preaching in public places, including commercial buses, remains one of the church’s most effective means of reaching people.

According to him, Christians would continue to proclaim the gospel irrespective of the consequences.

Defending comments he made in a viral video, Oke declared: ‘Make all the stadiums in Nigeria become a prison if you want to enforce that law. We are coming. We will preach in buses; we will preach everywhere.’

He described the proposed provision as an attack on the Christian faith rather than a genuine road safety initiative.

According to him, Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and gives every citizen the right to profess, practise and propagate his or her faith.

The PFN president urged lawmakers to delete the controversial provision before the bill is passed.

However, the Senate has rejected claims that the amendment seeks to outlaw Christian preaching.

In a statement, the Upper Chamber explained that the provision is not new, noting that similar restrictions have existed since the enactment of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007.

According to the Senate, the prohibition appeared as Item 36 of the Second Schedule to the 2007 Act and has merely been retained as Item 49 in the amendment bill currently before the National Assembly.

It also cited Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, which contains similar provisions regulating activities considered unsafe inside commercial vehicles.

The Senate maintained that the objective of the amendment is to improve road safety by discouraging activities capable of distracting drivers, obstructing passengers or creating avoidable risks during transit.

It stressed that the legislation is not intended to prohibit street preaching, open-air crusades, evangelism in markets or any other lawful religious activity outside commercial vehicles.

The Senate also clarified that the bill did not originate from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, explaining that it was passed by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.

It urged religious bodies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to take advantage of the legislative process by presenting their views before the bill is finally considered.

The controversy has continued to elicit mixed reactions across the country.

While some religious leaders insist that preaching should not be criminalised under any guise, supporters of the amendment argue that commercial vehicles are confined spaces where passengers should not be subjected to unsolicited religious messages or activities capable of distracting drivers.

Legal practitioners have also urged lawmakers to ensure that any restriction imposed in the interest of public safety is narrowly tailored and consistent with the constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom of movement.

Observers say the debate underscores the delicate balance lawmakers must strike between protecting the rights of citizens to freely practise their religion and ensuring the safety and comfort of commuters on Nigerian roads.

With the Senate still considering the bill, attention is expected to shift to public hearings where religious organisations, transport operators, legal experts and road safety stakeholders are likely to canvass divergent positions before the legislation is finalised.

Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life. Strengthen what works

Every August, Uganda joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Breastfeeding Month, a moment to celebrate one of the most powerful, affordable and life-saving public health interventions available.

This year’s global theme is, ‘Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life. Strengthen what works’. It reminds us that we already possess the knowledge, policies and evidence needed to improve child survival and nutrition. The challenge before us is to reinforce these proven interventions and ensure that every mother receives the support she needs to breastfeed successfully.

Breastfeeding is far more than a feeding practice. It is a child’s first source of nutrition, first protection against disease and first investment in lifelong health. Breast milk contains all the nutrients an infant requires during the first six months of life while providing antibodies that protect against diarrhoea, pneumonia and other infectious diseases that remain major causes of illness among young children. It also supports healthy brain development, strengthens immunity and lays the foundation for improved educational achievement and productivity later in life.

The World Health Organisation recommends that every newborn be breastfed within the first hour after birth, exclusively breastfed for the first six months, and continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods until at least two years of age.

These recommendations are supported by decades of scientific evidence demonstrating that optimal breastfeeding saves lives and improves maternal and child health. Uganda has made encouraging progress.

According to the Ministry of Health, exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months has increased significantly over recent years, reaching approximately 94 percent, while early initiation of breastfeeding has also improved substantially.

These achievements reflect the dedication of health workers, Village Health Teams, development partners and communities that have worked tirelessly to promote infant and young child feeding. They also demonstrate that when evidence-based interventions are implemented consistently, meaningful progress is possible. However, success should not make us complacent.

Many mothers continue to face challenges such as inadequate breastfeeding support after delivery, early return to work, misinformation, cultural misconceptions and the growing influence of breast milk substitute marketing. These barriers often prevent mothers from achieving their breastfeeding goals despite their willingness to do so.

This year’s theme calls upon us to strengthen what works. We know that skilled breastfeeding counselling during pregnancy and after childbirth improves breastfeeding outcomes. We know that baby-friendly hospital practices help mothers initiate breastfeeding early. We know that maternity protection, supportive workplaces, father involvement, community education and strong health systems all contribute to successful breastfeeding.

Rather than searching for new solutions, Uganda must continue expanding these interventions so that every family benefits. Breastfeeding is not solely a mother’s responsibility Investing in breastfeeding is also an investment in Uganda’s economy. Healthy children require fewer hospital visits, perform better in school and grow into healthier, more productive adults. Families spend less on treatment for preventable illnesses and avoid unnecessary expenditure on infant formula. Every shilling invested in breastfeeding promotion yields significant returns through improved health, reduced healthcare costs and enhanced national productivity.

As we commemorate World Breastfeeding Month 2026, let us move beyond awareness campaigns and translate commitment into action. Let every health facility strengthen breastfeeding counselling. Let every employer support breastfeeding mothers. Let every father stand beside his partner. Let every community protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Most importantly, let every Ugandan recognise that breastfeeding is not only a mother’s choice it is a national responsibility.

LTFRB summons operators of 226 untidy, dilapidated taxis, buses

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday said it issued show cause orders to the operators of 226 taxis and passenger buses in June and July over cleanliness and other issues.

LTFRB Law Enforcement Division Head Atty. Sherwin Vizconde said the operators have been ordered to explain why their franchises should not be cancelled or revoked ‘for operating untidy and dilapidated units.’

Vizconde noted that of these units, 178 taxis were apprehended in Caloocan and Quezon City while 48 passenger buses were flagged by LTFRB enforcers along NIA Road, Antipolo, Monumento, and Mindanao Avenue areas.

LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor Mendoza warned public utility vehicle operators that violating regulations on cleanliness of units ‘have no place in our public transportation system.’

‘If these are being violated, then we have no choice but to strip them with the privilege to operate PUVs for disrespecting not only the commuters but the entire public transportation system that we seek to further improve and professionalize,’ Mendoza said in a statement

Kano: Police probe six over alleged distribution of unapproved medicines

The Kano State Police Command has clarified reports circulating on social media regarding the interception of individuals allegedly administering and distributing unverified locally made medicines during a church outreach in Kano, saying the operation was launched following complaints from members of the public.

In a statement issued by the command, it said operatives of the 52 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Challawa, intercepted six male suspects on August 4, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m. during an outreach programme at the ECWA Church located behind the 52 PMF Base in Challawa.

The police identified the leader of the group as Simon Gbaaondo, 50, from Karu, Nasarawa State, stating that the suspects were attached to the Brother Paul Legacy Foundation.

According to the command, preliminary investigations indicated that the group was administering and selling unverified locally made medicines to a large number of residents from the Panshekara community without obtaining approval from the relevant health regulatory authorities.

The police also disclosed that the individual who facilitated the group’s use of the church premises had been invited to assist with the ongoing investigation.

The case was initially reported at the Panshekara Police Division before being transferred to the Kano State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where five of the suspects are currently undergoing further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, warned individuals and organisations against conducting medical outreaches or distributing drugs and locally made medicines without the necessary approvals from the Kano State Government, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant health authorities.

He noted that such unauthorised activities pose significant public health and security risks, particularly when they attract large gatherings.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and maintaining public order, stressing that it would not tolerate activities capable of endangering the health and safety of residents.

It urged members of the public to report suspicious medical outreaches or the distribution of unverified medicines to the nearest police station, adding that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.

Inflation slows to 6.2% in July

Inflation eased to 6.2 percent in July from 6.4 percent in June as softer oil prices curbed transport costs, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

The July print was lower than the 6.4-percent median estimate of 14 economists surveyed by the Inquirer and fell within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 5.6 to 6.6-percent forecast range.

Inflation has now eased for three straight months after peaking in April amid the Middle East war.

However, the average inflation for the first seven months of the year stood at 5 percent, which is still well above the BSP’s 3-percent target.

The PSA attributed the slowdown mainly to a softer increase in transport costs, which eased to 11.9 percent in July from 12.8 percent in June. This was driven by slower inflation for gasoline, which decelerated to 34.1 percent from 39.2 percent in the previous month.

Education services also contributed to the downtrend, with inflation slowing to 1.9 percent from 4 percent. Inflation for tertiary education eased to 1.8 percent from 3.8 percent, while primary education slowed to 1.8 percent from 4.6 percent and secondary education to 1.6 percent from 3.6 percent.

Nigerian Breweries posts N804bn revenue in H1

Financial analysts say the achievement strengthens the company’s balance sheet and enhances its capacity to fund future growth without relying on debt.

He noted that the company’s gross profit margin expanded by two percentage points, while operating performance continued to improve alongside the reduction in financing costs.

‘The impact of the new tax rates limited the group net profit growth to 5 per cent,’ Agbebaku said.

Beyond the earnings growth, the company highlighted further improvements in its financial structure, stating that it maintained zero borrowing throughout the period.

Military names most wanted ISWAP leader, offers reward for his capture

The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has identified some of the most senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operating around the Lake Chad Basin.

The military command also announced a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest of the group’s most wanted leader.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Capt. Mohammed Goni, the military command said the breakthrough followed the exploitation of intelligence materials recovered during recent offensive operations by troops in northern Borno State.

It said that troops recovered technical devices, including a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP fighters to record propaganda videos and document their activities.

The statement stated that forensic analysis of the recovered devices produced actionable intelligence, exposing terrorist hideouts and revealing the identities of key ISWAP leaders operating within the Mangari-Metele-Dogon Chukun axis along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

Those identified, according to the statement, include Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the Wali (Governor) of ISWAP and the group’s most wanted leader currently operating in the Lake Chad Basin.

Others are his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, popularly known as ‘The One-Handed Man’; Hamad Abu Hanifa, the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP; and several other senior terrorist operatives.

The statement said the intelligence breakthrough resulted from sustained offensive operations against ISWAP/ISIS enclaves in the Lake Chad region, adding that the information would significantly enhance ongoing efforts to dismantle the terrorist network.

It announced that the military would offer a substantial financial reward to anyone who provides credible and actionable information leading to the arrest of Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa.

‘The military will offer a substantial financial reward to any individual whose credible and actionable information directly leads to his arrest.

‘All information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and the identity of informants will be fully protected in accordance with established security procedures.’

The command appealed to members of the public to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations by providing credible intelligence that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending the wanted terrorist leaders.

It, however, cautioned members of the public against attempting to confront or arrest the suspects, urging them instead to relay any useful information through established security channels or the dedicated hotline, 0708 498 8859.

Samar authorities seize P3.25-M smuggled cigarettes, arrest 3

Authorities seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth P3.25 million and arrested three suspects during a joint entrapment operation in Basey, Samar, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, as part of an intensified campaign against the illicit tobacco trade.

The operation took place in Barangay Amandayehan and was carried out by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 8-Regional Special Operations Team (CIDG RFU 8-RSOT), in coordination with the Basey Municipal Police Station, the Regional Special Operations Team-Regional Maritime Unit 8, the Regional Intelligence Division/Regional Special Operations Unit 8-Team Samar, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office in Tacloban City.

Arrested were a 38-year-old driver from Guiuan, Eastern Samar, identified only as alias ‘Dev’; a 29-year-old unemployed woman known as alias ‘May’; and a 42-year-old driver from Basey identified as alias ‘Rod.’

Police said the suspects were caught with 50 master cases of ‘CANON Menthol’ cigarettes allegedly lacking the required BIR excise tax stamps and graphic health warnings.

Operatives also recovered the marked money used in the entrapment, two mobile phones, and three vehicles allegedly used to transport the contraband-an Isuzu utility vehicle, a Toyota HiAce van, and a Suzuki Traviz utility vehicle.

Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, director of the Police Regional Office 8, commended the operating units for the successful operation, saying it underscores the police’s continuing efforts to curb illicit trade and protect government revenue.

‘The success of this entrapment operation demonstrates our sustained commitment to combating illicit trade and protecting government revenue from illegal activities. We will continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency coordination to ensure those engaged in unlawful activities are brought to justice,’ Capoy said.

The suspects were taken to the CIDG Tacloban City Field Unit for documentation and proper disposition.

Authorities are preparing charges against them for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law; provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code on excise taxes, as amended by Republic Act No. 11346; and Republic Act No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Authorities have intensified their crackdown on the illegal cigarette trade, which they said deprives the government of billions of pesos in excise tax revenues each year while allowing untaxed tobacco products to proliferate in the market

Police said the suspects were caught with 50 master cases of ‘CANON Menthol’ cigarettes allegedly lacking the required BIR excise tax stamps and graphic health warnings.

The suspects were taken to the CIDG Tacloban City Field Unit for documentation and proper disposition.