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A 52-year-old businessman, Godwin Emeka Ejiofor, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano for concealing 127 wraps of cocaine in his stomach.

The cocaine wraps were recovered after days under excretion observation.

Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement yesterday.

Babafemi said Ejiofor who operates boutiques in Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra state, was taken into NDLEA custody upon his arrival from Bangkok, Thailand via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 on Wednesday following credible intelligence.

According to the statement, he was taken for body scan which confirmed he ingested illicit drugs and had some concealed in his private part.

Babafemi said ‘a total of 58 wraps of cocaine were immediately recovered from his pant after which he was taken for excretion observation during which he egested 69 pellets of cocaine in seven excretions bringing the total number of wraps of the class A drug recovered from him to 127 weighing 1.388 kilograms.’

Babafemi said three consignments of illicit drugs heading to the United Kingdom UK) were on Thursday and Friday intercepted at a courier company in Lagos by NDLEA operatives.

‘One of the shipments, 1.74 kg of methamphetamine was recovered from blocks of glass ceramics, while another shipment contains 114 grams and 168 grams of pentazocine and tramadol injections respectively just as the third consignment contains 48 grams of tramadol capsules concealed in Vitamin C container, all going to the UK. Bids by another set of criminal syndicates to ship 2.6kg skunk and 422grams tapentadol 250mg concealed in tablets of black soap heading to Turkey; 169 grams of cocaine hidden in lady’s handbags going to Australia and 568 grams of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in containers of herbs going to United Arab Emirates were thwarted by NDLEA operatives at some courier companies in Lagos,’ Babafemi said.

He added a total of 27,510 pills of rohypnol concealed in sachets of alcoholic drinks going to South Africa have been intercepted by NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

Babafemi said after the initial arrest of a freight agent and a cab driver linked to the shipment, a follow up operation at Oyingbo market in Lagos led to the arrest of the mastermind, 46-year-old Samuel Omoruyi (alias Yellow) on October 2nd.

The Spokesman said same day, an Italy-based businessman Enehizena Augustine Uyimwen, was arrested by operatives while attempting to export 3,700 pills of tramadol 225mg and 2,600 tabs of tapentadol 200mg hidden in food items to the European country.

Uyinwen claimed he was trafficking the opioids for someone else for a fee of pound 945

After a brief break , the monthly boxing showcase, the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF), is set to make a thrilling comeback on October 25, promising a revitalised format and fresh opportunities for amateur boxers across Lagos State.

According to LBHF Director David Mohammed, the revamped structure will spotlight the five administrative divisions of Island, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Mainland, and Epe (IBILE), as well as local councils, creating a more dynamic and inclusive competition.

‘It’s great to be back with our Monthly Show, and we’re determined to make it better than ever,’ Mohammed said.

‘The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame is a respected platform that has been organizing boxing events for over 15 years. It has served as a rite of passage for countless amateur boxers who have gone on to successful professional careers. We’re proud of our legacy and committed to building on it.’

He continued, ‘In line with the vision of our founder, we’ve introduced a new format based on the IBILE and Local Government structure. Each division will host its own Monthly Show, crowning champions across various weight categories. These divisional champions will then face off to determine who truly is the best of the best in Lagos. We also have plans for regional and national championships, which will be unveiled soon.’

Mohammed also shared promising updates on sponsorship efforts.

‘We’ve opened up sponsorship opportunities to the private sector and are in advanced discussions with several companies. We expect to announce some exciting partnerships soon, so stay tuned,’ he added.

Founded in 2010 by former amateur champion and current Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, LBHF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting grassroots and amateur boxing in Nigeria.

The organization hosts monthly tournaments such as the Governors Belt Championship and facilitates international competitions and fundraising events. Many of Nigeria’s top boxing talents have emerged from LBHF’s developmental programs.

Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Thompson Sunday, has called for enhanced collaboration between the corporation and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in addressing emerging risks and challenges within Nigeria’s banking sector.

Sunday made the call during a courtesy visit by the President of CIBN, Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, and members of his executive team to the NDIC Head Office, Abuja.

He emphasised the need for stronger partnership between both institutions in critical areas such as digital banking, cyber- security, fraud and forgery prevention, and sound risk management.

He noted that while the phenomena of the emerging issues are on the rise, regulators and operators must come together to proffer solutions which help build a stronger financial ecosystem that withstands the vagaries of the innovations to deliver value to the economy.

While commending the growth of the CIBN as a professional body over the years, and its positive impact on the banking system, Sunday further called on the institute to take critical interest in working more closely with regulators to fashion innovative failure resolution strategies that strengthen the overall resilience of the banking sector.

He reiterated the corporation’s commitment to supporting professional institutions such as the CIBN in developing and implementing programs that foster innovation while maintaining sound risk management frameworks and financial system stability.

Olanrewaju congratulated Sunday on his appointment as Managing Director of the corporation.

He expressed confidence in the capacity of the MD/CE to uphold the trust reposed in the Corporation by the public based on his sound track record and expertise.

He particularly commended the NDIC for its notable milestone achievements, highlighting the upward review of deposit insurance coverage aimed at strengthening public confidence in the banking system; the deployment of technology to expedite the reimbursement of depositors of the failed Heritage Bank; and the commencement of liquidation dividend payments within one year of the bank’s closure. Prof. Olanrewaju noted that these accomplishments have significantly enhanced depositor and investor confidence in the financial system.

The CIBN President also expressed appreciation to the NDIC for its invaluable contributions and active role as a member of the Institute’s Governing Council, noting that its participation has greatly strengthened the Council’s oversight functions, policy direction, and ethical leadership.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived is in Rome, Italy, ahead of the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Meeting, which will focus on tackling the growing security crisis in West Africa.

The Presidential aircraft touched down at the Rome Fiumicino International Airport at about 7:20 p.m. local time yesterday, where the President was received by senior Italian officials, members of the Nigerian diplomatic corps, and top aides.

The high-level meeting, which opens tomorrow, will bring together Heads of State and Government, senior intelligence and military officials from African countries, as well as representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations.

Participants are expected to deliberate on the evolving security landscape in West Africa and develop coordinated responses to terrorism and transnational crime.

Launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan, the Aqaba Process is a global counter-terrorism initiative aimed at enhancing cooperation and intelligence sharing among nations confronting violent extremism.

The current edition, co-chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Italian Government, will focus on the complex security threats facing the region – including the expansion of terrorist networks, the growing nexus between crime and terrorism, and the overlap between land-based insurgency in the Sahel and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

The management of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) said it monitored and has noted with concern the disturbing reports and viral video clips from yesterday’s NPFL Matchday 8 between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars, indicating that fans invaded the pitch shortly after the final whistle.

The statement signed by Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer, assured that while the league awaits the official match reports and complete video evidence from the Match Commissioner and Referees, ‘we condemn in the strongest terms any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at players, match officials, or fans’.

The League is also assuring all stakeholders and football lovers that this isolated incident is being treated with utmost seriousness, and appropriate actions will follow upon review of the full reports.

He further stated that the NPFL has remained in touch with the Match Commissioner, the Referees and officials of Shooting Stars whose safety has been secured.

‘We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues across the country,’ Owumi concluded.

A coalition of researchers and development partners has unveiled a new report highlighting the growing challenge of urban displacement in Lagos and calling for inclusive policies to support affected populations.

The report, titled ‘Navigating Protracted Displacement: Governance, Community Resilience, and Inclusive Solutions for IDPs in Lagos,’ was produced by the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development (CHSD), University of Lagos, in partnership with the Technical University of Berlin, and commissioned by Heinrich Böll Stiftung Nigeria.

Findings from the study showed that internal displacement in Nigeria has expanded beyond the conflict-ridden North-East, with thousands of displaced persons now living in Lagos and other cities under precarious conditions. Many of them face housing insecurity, lack of documentation, and limited access to essential services.

Speaking at the national launch in Abuja, the CHSD team described the trend as an ’emerging urban crisis’ that requires coordinated action from all tiers of government.

‘Urban IDPs are often invisible within policy and planning frameworks,’ a CHSD representative noted. ‘They deserve the same recognition and protection as those in traditional displacement settings.’

The event brought together officials from federal ministries, state governments, humanitarian agencies, and community leaders to discuss strategies for integrating IDP inclusion into national and state development plans.

The report proposes a five-pillar framework for durable solutions, focusing on legal inclusion, tenure security, livelihood recovery, social cohesion, and institutional coordination. It also advocates for a gender-sensitive approach to address the particular vulnerabilities of women and children in informal settlements.

Organisers expressed hope that the findings would drive policy reforms, including the adoption of a Lagos State IDP Inclusion Law and federal recognition of urban IDPs.

‘Displacement is no longer just a humanitarian concern-it’s an urban development issue,’ the report concludes. ‘Nigeria must act now to ensure no one is left behind in our cities.’

Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), in collaboration with Nigerian Bar Association – Lawyers in the Media Forum (NBA-LIM), has vowed to strengthen stakeholder engagement and deepen understanding of Nigeria’s advertising regulatory framework.

This is as they host a Town-Hall Meeting: ‘The Nigerian Advertising Law: The Role of the Advertising Offences Tribunal (AOT)’tomorrow at Sheba Events Center, Lagos. The bench and bar, advertising practitioners, industry stakeholders, and the public will deliberate on dynamics of Nigeria’s advertising law and implementation under the Advertising Offences Tribunal.

Billed to give a keynote address is Chief Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN). A panel discussion will feature Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, director-general of ARCON; Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), president of NBA; Charles Odenigbo, director-general of Centre for Media Law and Development; and Lanre Adisa, chair of Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups.

Speaking ahead of the Town-Hall, Dr. Fadolapo, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to strengthening the regulatory ecosystem through strategic stakeholder engagement and legal alignment.

He said: ‘Our engagement with stakeholders is not episodic but a deliberate, continuous exercise grounded in our vision to build a responsible and globally competitive advertising industry in Nigeria. This meeting is part of our broader effort to institutionalise dialogue, transparency, and compliance across the advertising value chain.’

He reiterated that the collaboration with Nigerian Bar Association is a demonstration of ARCON’s commitment to enforcing Advertising Law in accordance with due process and international best practice.

‘We are creating a regulatory environment that balances creativity with compliance. Advertising Offences Tribunal is a crucial instrument for ensuring accountability, deterrence, and fairness. As we continue to strengthen our institutional frameworks, we are focused on promoting professionalism, protecting consumer rights, and upholding integrity of advertising,’ he added.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, endorsing them as the party’s sole candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement took place during a well-attended APC Stakeholders Meeting at the State Banquet Hall in Asaba, the state capital.

The meeting gathered influential party leaders, current and former lawmakers, and key political figures from Delta’s three senatorial districts.

The motion for the vote of confidence was introduced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and seconded former Delta Speaker Victor Ochei.

Keyamo praised Tinubu’s leadership, highlighting his ‘bold reforms and transformative leadership’ and specifically mentioning the removal of fuel subsidy as a prudent decision that has redirected significant funds toward critical national infrastructure projects.

Keyamo pointed out recent developments, including the President’s approval of $1 billion for the revival of the Warri port and other major projects like the Lagos/Calabar coastal road and enhancements to Lagos Airport-outcomes attributed to the savings gained from subsidy removal.

He described Tinubu as a ‘prudent manager and visionary leader.’

Keyamo noted Governor Oborevwori’s contributions to substantial infrastructural development within Delta State and reinforced his call for the party’s endorsement of both leaders for the 2027;elections.

He said the passing of this motion reflected a strong unity within the APC in Delta State in support of their leadership.

He also commended Governor Oborevwori for his visionary leadership and for the massive infrastructural development across Delta State.

He moved that ‘the Delta APC pass a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and adopt them as the party’s sole candidates for the 2027 general election.’

Seconding the motion, which was unanimously adopted, Ochei hailed Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori’s inclusive governance and developmental impact across Nigeria and Delta State, respectively.

The Governor commended President Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as ‘a man who rewards loyalty, commitment, and results.’

‘In 2027, our votes will be our report card. Those who claim to love the President must show it through the ballot. I won 21 out of 25 local governments in the last election because we worked and stayed loyal. That’s what real commitment means,’ Oborevwori said.

The Governor warned against disloyalty within the party, stressing that some members who did not work for APC during the last elections had benefited unduly.

‘Some in power today didn’t work for the APC, but we know them. When the time comes, we will expose them. This time, loyalty will be rewarded, not hypocrisy,’ he declared.

He emphasised unity and collective decision-making, urging leaders to put the interest of the party above personal ambitions.

On governance, the Governor highlighted ongoing infrastructural projects across Delta State – including the ?59 billion Uromi Junction flyover project, the ?39 billion Ughelli Flyover, and the coming Tuesday groundbreaking of Warri/Sapele Road rehabilitation.

‘This is the only state where contractors are not owed. We pay 40% mobilization upfront. That’s because we are managing resources efficiently, and the President’s reforms are yielding results,’ Oborevwori said.

Immediate past Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, expressed delight at the gathering, describing the April 28, 2025 mass defection into the APC as ‘a turning point in the state’s political history.’

‘Today, I can confidently say that joining the APC was the right step in the right direction. The party is now stronger, more united, and better positioned for victory in 2027,’ Okowa said.

He praised Tinubu’s economic decisions as ‘bold and necessary,’ urging leaders to enlighten their constituents on the long-term benefits of current reforms.

Okowa commended Oborevwori for uniting the party, saying his humility and inclusive leadership had strengthened Delta APC across all senatorial districts.

The country is losing an estimated N500 billion to N900 billion every year in unrealised revenue, duplication, and productivity losses due to the continued absence of a functional National Single Window (NSW) for trade facilitation, the Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has revealed.

The maritime research and policy advocacy group said the staggering losses stem from fragmented digital systems, overlapping agency functions, and weak coordination among government institutions, factors that continue to make neighbouring ports in Cotonou, Lome, and Tema more competitive.

SEREC made this known in its latest bulletin titled ‘Nigeria’s Path Toward Seamless Cargo Clearance – The Imperative of a Functional National Single Window’.

The organisation described the planned launch of the NSW by January 2026 as a potential turning point for Nigeria’s trade efficiency and customs modernisation drive.

According to SEREC, the NSW initiative, spearheaded by the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), could mark Nigeria’s transition into a globally competitive logistics hub, but only if governance integrity, interoperability, and inclusivity are prioritised over bureaucratic dominance.

‘The absence of a unified Single Window continues to drain the economy of between N500 billion and N900 billion annually through inefficiency, administrative duplication, and lost productivity,’

‘Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in the digital integration race when smaller ports in the subregion are already ahead,’ SEREC warned.

The group noted that while Nigeria has transitioned through multiple electronic trade systems – from Asycuda to PAAR/NICIS I and II, and now the B’Odogwu platform – none has delivered the long-promised seamless cargo clearance process. It said persistent system downtimes, weak inter-agency collaboration, and limited stakeholder consultation have hindered progress.

Drawing lessons from Singapore’s globally acclaimed TradeNet system, managed by CrimsonLogic, SEREC urged the government to develop a homegrown, integrated electronic trade network tailored to Nigeria’s operational realities. It said the Singapore model succeeded because of institutional coordination, trust, and shared commitment to trade facilitation rather than revenue competition.

SEREC commended the Federal Government for establishing an Independent National Single Window Secretariat, describing it as a step in the right direction, but warned that its oversight must remain neutral and transparent to prevent sectoral dominance.

It called for clearly defined engagement rules, measurable key performance indicators (KPIs), and a focus on trade facilitation outcomes rather than just revenue collection. The group also urged a shift away from overreliance on foreign consultants toward empowering local experts who understand Nigeria’s Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) trade model.

Highlighting the economic stakes, SEREC presented verified fiscal data showing Nigeria Customs’ remarkable revenue growth – from N3.2 trillion in 2023 to N6.105 trillion in 2024, representing a 90.4 per cent increase. As of mid-2025, Customs had already collected N3.68 trillion, or 55.9 per cent of its N6.58 trillion target, which was later revised upward to N10 trillion by the National Assembly.

However, the group stressed that despite these figures, ‘efficiency leakages, compliance gaps, and bureaucratic overlaps’ still erode the full potential of customs operations, especially amid low import volumes.

According to SEREC’s projections, a fully functional NSW could boost Customs revenue by 10-20 per cent annually, generating between N600 billion and N1.2 trillion in additional income; reduce cargo dwell time by 35-45 per cent, saving the private sector an estimated N300-N400 billion annually in logistics and demurrage costs; and cut overall trade transaction costs by 20-25 per cent, significantly improving the country’s global logistics competitiveness ranking.

In addition, SEREC estimated that a robust NSW ecosystem could create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in ICT, logistics, and data management, while attracting $2-$3 billion in private sector investment within five years. This, it said, could expand the maritime sector’s GDP contribution by up to 1.5 per cent

Despite these projections, the group cautioned that the success of the NSW would depend not on technological sophistication but on governance integrity, inter-agency coordination, and genuine stakeholder inclusiveness.

‘The success of Nigeria’s trade facilitation agenda hinges not on the sophistication of its software but on the integrity of its governance and the inclusivity of its design. The National Single Window must be pursued as a national economic reform – not merely an automation project,’ it stated.

The group urged all stakeholders, including government agencies, freight forwarders, terminal operators, shipping lines, and the trading community, to commit to a culture of **efficiency, transparency, and mutual trust.

‘Trade facilitation must come first; revenue will follow efficiency. Only then can Nigeria’s ports become truly competitive within the West African subregion,’ it added.

SEREC reaffirmed its support for the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and the NCS, urging them to ensure that the B’Odogwu platform evolves into a durable and interoperable digital foundation capable of sustaining the forthcoming NSW regime.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina’s office said yesterday an attempt to seize state power illegally was underway, a day after troops from an army unit sided with anti-government protesters.

‘There is an attempt to seize power at this time in the territory of the republic, in complete violation of the constitution and democratic principles,’ a presidential statement said yesterday.

In a video statement on Saturday, troops from the Army Personnel Administration Center (CAPSAT), a military unit instrumental in Rajoelina’s rise to power through a 2009 coup, declared its support for the anti-government protests that began last month.

‘This country is facing a collapse of basic services, security forces must not follow blindly unlawful orders,’ they said.

Today, CAPSAT officers, in a video message, said that they will take control of the armed forces, saying: ‘From now on, all orders of the Malagasy army – whether land, air or the navy – will originate from CAPSAT headquarters.’