The Ondo/Ekiti Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has transferred a surety to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after two drug trafficking suspects who were granted bail absconded.

The suspects were initially arrested while conveying over 140 sacks of Cannabis sativa — popularly known as Indian hemp — weighing more than 1,400 kilogrammes and valued at N112 million.

According to the command’s Comptroller, Mrs. Morenikeji Bewaji, the seizure was made in Ado-Ekiti.

Following the arrest, the suspects and the illegal drugs were handed over to the NDLEA for further action.

However, Bewaji revealed that the suspects were later granted bail on health grounds but failed to appear as required.

Their surety, identified as Mr. Victor Ayodeji, has now been taken into custody and handed over to the NDLEA for possible prosecution.

Describing the development as a major milestone in the ongoing campaign against drug trafficking, Bewaji warned about the escalating spread of Cannabis sativa and its threat to national security, public health, and the country’s socio-economic fabric.

“In our fight against the threat of illicit drugs in our country, inter-agency collaboration remains a cornerstone for success. The partnership between the NCS and the NDLEA is a shining example of effective synergy,” she said.

She further emphasized that both the NCS and NDLEA are committed to strengthening their cooperation through intelligence sharing and stakeholder engagement, noting that their joint objective remains to secure the nation while ensuring unhindered lawful commerce.

The comptroller also appealed to the public to support the agencies by providing accurate and timely information, adding that addressing drug-related crime requires collective effort.

Representing the NDLEA at the event, the agency’s state commander, Mr. Nanzing Sallah, was represented by the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Mr. Adaramola Olumuyiwa.

He praised the Customs Service for the successful seizure and reaffirmed the NDLEA’s readiness to continue partnering in the battle against drug cartels and organised crime.

Hon. Ogbodo Inspecting the Ngene-Ukwa Bridge Project, 

The Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area in Enugu State, Chief John Ogbodo, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality infrastructure and completing all ongoing projects that directly impact the lives of the people.

Chief Ogbodo gave the assurance on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the construction site of the Ngene-Ukwa Bridge, a strategic infrastructure linking Achi-Ikpa and Onitcha Agu communities in Ndiagu Akpugo.

Speaking at the site, the council boss noted that the bridge project is one of several people-oriented developments initiated under his administration to open up rural communities, enhance connectivity, and boost economic activities in the area.

“I want to assure our people that this project, like others embarked upon by this administration, will be completed and delivered on schedule. We are fully committed to improving the quality of life in our communities through impactful governance,” Ogbodo stated.

He commended the contractors for the progress made so far and urged them to adhere strictly to the specifications and timeline agreed upon, stressing the importance of quality and durability.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that residents and community leaders present during the inspection expressed appreciation for the council’s efforts, describing the project as a long-awaited intervention that will ease movement and improve access to neighboring villages.

The inspection visit also included stops at other ongoing projects in the council area, including road rehabilitation efforts and the construction of smart schools, part of Governor Mbah broader agenda to promote inclusive development across Nkanu West.

Chief Ogbodo called on residents to continue supporting Governor Peter Mbah led administration with useful feedback and promised more interventions in sectors like education, health, and agriculture.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has publicly apologised to residents of Bassa Local Government Area over the inability of the government and security agencies to safeguard lives and property.

The apology followed a brutal attack early Monday in the Zikke community, where 51 individuals were killed, houses were destroyed, and scores displaced.

The incident came just two weeks after a similar deadly assault in Bokkos LGA.

On Tuesday, Governor Mutfwang visited the palace of the Paramount Ruler in Miango, where he expressed deep remorse over the tragic events.

“I will tell you the truth: I have been crying since yesterday because I had trusted God that all the arrangements were put in place, that this will not happen again. We have made investments in security,” he said.

“But like all human arrangements, sometimes they fail. I want to admit that on Sunday night into Monday morning, we failed you. Please, forgive me.”

He called on the people to stay vigilant and continue supporting the efforts of security agencies by sharing intelligence and exposing the operations of criminal elements threatening their communities.

Governor Mutfwang, accompanied by security leaders and members of the state executive council, visited Zikke to sympathise with grieving families.

The victims of the attack have since been buried.

During the visit, the Paramount Ruler of Irigwe land, Ronku Aka—also known as the Brangwe of Irigwe—appealed to the government to provide essential social infrastructure to the affected communities.

In addition to his palace visit, the governor met several families directly impacted by the violence, assuring them of the government’s commitment to security and recovery.

The repeated attacks in Plateau State have intensified concerns over longstanding security issues in the region.

While analysts often attribute the conflict to farmer-herder tensions, Governor Mutfwang characterised the killings as deliberate and genocidal.

According to him, more than 64 communities across Plateau have now been overrun by gunmen.

President Bola Tinubu, responding to the recent violence, condemned the attacks and directed security agencies to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the preliminary objection and application for stay of proceedings filed by social media personality Martins Otse Vincent, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in two ongoing defamation suits involving human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, the musician and actor Folarin Falana, also known as Falz.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the court addressed VDM’s preliminary objection, which he filed after eventually complying with the originating motion.

He had alleged that there were multiple legal actions over the same issue.

However, the court noted that it had already become functus officio—meaning it had concluded its role in the matter—as the case had moved to another court.

It emphasized that continuing proceedings at that point would amount to “an academic exercise”.

Consequently, the judge struck out the objection.

Additionally, SaharaReporters learned that VDM submitted a fresh application on Monday, April 14, 2025, seeking a stay of proceedings.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed that “The above is also applicable in the sister case between Femi Falana, SAN, and Martins Otse (VDM).”

The legal battle traces back to 2024, when SaharaReporters first revealed that both Femi and Folarin Falana filed separate suits against VDM, each demanding N500 million in damages.

The suits arose from a video the influencer posted on his social media platforms, where he claimed that the Falanas received N10 million from Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, in a bid to obstruct justice.

In their submissions, the Falanas argued that the video amounted to defamation, accusing VDM of publishing the content without verifying the facts.

They maintained that “VeryDarkMan knew all his comments were unverified and untrue, yet he published them recklessly to injure their reputation.”

A tragic wave of violence swept through Morai town in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Monday night as terrorists launched a deadly assault, killing four individuals, including a former local government sole administrator, Saminu Morai.

In the course of the attack, several residents were also abducted, SaharaReporters has gathered.

Confirming the incident, a community member who spoke with SaharaReporters described the invasion as both shocking and devastating.

“Bandit attack Morai town in Talata Mafara local government of Zamfara state, killed former Talata Mafara local government sole administrator and 3 others. Many people were kidnapped,” the source stated.

He further disclosed that the attack unfolded late Monday night, sparking fear and confusion across the town.

“The name of the administrator is Saminu Morai. The attacked happened last night,” he added.

The aftermath of the killings prompted an immediate response from local authorities and traditional leaders.

According to the eyewitness, “And Emir of Talata Mafara together with DPO of Talata Mafara attended the funeral.”

The victims were buried on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic rites, following standard practice in such circumstances.

As of the time of filing this report, the Zamfara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The precise number of abductees and details about the attackers remain unconfirmed.

This latest attack underscores the ongoing insecurity plaguing Zamfara State—an epicenter of armed violence in northern Nigeria.

The region continues to endure repeated assaults by criminal gangs, commonly referred to as bandits, who execute mass kidnappings, murders, and village raids, often with minimal resistance from security forces.

With Monday’s incident, the toll of lives lost and families displaced continues to mount, deepening the climate of fear and vulnerability that defines life in many rural parts of Zamfara.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has summoned the Provost of the 1 Police Mobile Force (MOPOL) in Kaduna, along with DSP Aliyu Adejembi and his team, after a video emerged showing them collecting money from a group of Chinese nationals.

The footage, which has gone viral and drawn significant public criticism, shows members of the MOPOL unit visibly lining up to receive what appeared to be cash handouts from the Chinese individuals.

“A video obtained by SaharaReporters captures members of the unit visibly queuing to collect money from the Chinese individuals, a scene that has sparked public outrage and raised concerns over police conduct,” SaharaReporters noted.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the MOPOL 1 officers involved were deployed to Lagos on a special duty assignment with the Chinese businesspeople when the incident took place.

The Nigeria Police Force has not yet released an official statement detailing possible disciplinary actions or clarifying the context of the incident.

However, the IG’s prompt move to summon the officers indicates the seriousness with which the police leadership is treating the matter.

Worshippers attending a prayer session on a remote mountain in Egbola, along Agbaja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, were reportedly attacked and abducted by gunmen during a night vigil on Friday.

The area, known for its mountainous terrain, became the scene of chaos as the assailants invaded the prayer ground, shooting sporadically to create panic before forcefully taking several worshippers into the nearby bush.

One of the abducted individuals, a woman identified as Mary Adams Gure, was fortunate to be rescued during a confrontation between the gunmen and local vigilante operatives.

“The vigilantes were mobilized quickly in response to the attack; and in the process, Gure was rescued,” a vigilante source revealed.

“Gure managed to escape and later found safety, thanks to the swift intervention of local vigilante members who were alerted and got to the scene of the incident on time.”

According to the source, the attackers launched their assault suddenly, firing into the air to scare the worshippers before seizing and taking them away under the cover of darkness.

A search-and-rescue mission is currently ongoing as local security operatives intensify efforts to track down the abductors and ensure the safe return of the remaining victims.

When contacted for comments, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP William Aya, did not respond to calls and messages as the time of filing this report.