Nigerian News Leader First with details then facts 
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By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The police in Niger state said it has recovered a six months old baby, Chinedu Samson, about three days after he was declared missing from his mothers’ shop in Minna.
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief) @CelestineOkaf11
The Nigeria Police Force, in its on-going efforts to combat crime and criminality and curb the proliferation of illegal weapons in the country, has recorded several notable breakthroughs in the past 2 months.
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)
Eminent Nigerians, including Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma; his Bayelsa State counterpart, Douye Diri; former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George; Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, among others on Tuesday in Lagos, stressed the need for a new constitution that would reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people of Nigeria, declaring that the citizens desired good governance.
They expressed this view at a public lecture organised by Freedom Online newspaper themed: "2023- 2027: Nigerians, Elected Leaders and Expectations," stressing that further reliance on the 1999 Constitution as solution to Nigeria's problems was a waste of time that would spell doom for the country.
This was just as they demanded for establishment of State Police, saying such is key and crucial if Nigeria was determined to end the problem of insecurity it was currently facing.
Imo State governor, Uzodimma, who was the guest speaker, and represented by his Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, said expectations of every Nigerian was good governance, adding that they were increasingly demanding for it.
The governor, however, said the lapses in the 1999 Constitution prevent state governments from performing up to expectations, noting that the large size of the country made governance difficult as the centre had been the one deciding affairs of states in areas of policing and other issues that should be the exclusive responsibility of states.
According to Uzodimma, the common language Nigerians understood perfectly irrespective of tribe, or tongue or religion is good governance, asserting that when governance is birthed "in town, poverty, unemployment, and insecurity will take flight."
He posted that with good governance, there would be economic boom, abundant empowerment opportunities, good healthcare delivery, good quality and affordable education, abundant infrastructure provisions and security of lives and property, adding that with all these in place, Nigerians would boast of an improved quality of life and a higher average life expectancy.
"This is a common language that does not need to be spoken but yet can be heard clearly. Once Nigerians see these, they will know the country is working and that their expectations are being met.
"So what Nigerians expect is for the country to work. That is what they need and that is what they desire,'" the governor said.
"This makes our task very easy. All we need to do is to list those things that make up good governance, those things that will make the country work, and we have the expectations of Nigerians from elected leaders for the period 2023 to 2027.
"As I said earlier, these expectations are not farfetched. They are the same things Nigerians have been clamouring since Independence 63years ago," he added.
Governor Uzodimma, while listing indicators of good governance to include participation, rule of law, consensus driven, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency, transparency and accountability, among others, expressed the hope that the recently inaugurated National Assembly would help come up with bills and motions that would complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 's courage and vision.
"So, yes, I can hazard the guess that the expectations of good governance between 2023 and 2027, will be reasonably met. I expect that Nigerians will have less poverty, insecurity and unemployment to deal with in the next four years," Uzodimma assured.
The keynote speaker, the Bayelsa State governor, Diri, said inability of state government to control their resources had created set back for many states, stressing that if the state were empowered like the regions to control their resources in the First Republic, a lot of advancement would have been recorded in the states.
Diri, who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said for Nigeria to rise to the great height envisaged by her founding fathers, she needed to come up with the constitution that would empower the state to control their resources.
Chief George, in his speech, while lamenting poor leadership in the country, declared that a stop be put to the present deceit and rottenness in the financial management of the nation, adding: "Let us put an end to the economic inequalities, injustice, unfairness in the distribution of our God given resources and our financial wealth."
George, who is also the Atona Oodua of Yoruba land, likened Nigeria's current situation to that of then Judah as told by Prophet Micah, a contemporary of Prophet Isaiah in his prophecy, and condemned totally a situation whereby a sitting senator collects N23million monthly and a retired Federal Permanent Secretary collects N1million per month, while a retired General collects N250,000 as pension per month, describing such as despicable, shambolic nonsensical and outright systemic failure.
This was just as the PDP chieftain, who said he was "not talking as a member of any political party but as an elder statesman who seeks the peace and progress of Nigeria," equally condemned the planned palliatives to be distributed by the Tinubu- led administration, demanding that a quick reminder of the N500 billion previously collected monthly and supposedly distributed without data and accountability under the ùimmediate past administration headed by former President Muhammadu Buhari called for in-depth investigation and punishment.
"Enough of this deceit: Enough of this rottenness in the financial management of our Nation.
"Let us put an end to the economic inequalities, injustice, unfairness in the distribution of our God given resources and our financial wealth.
"A situation where a sitting Senator collects N23m every month, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary collects N1m per month and a retired General collects N250k as pension per month is despicable, shambolic nonsensical and outright systemic failure.
"How will the palliatives be distributed? A quick reminder of the N500 billion previously collected monthly and supposedly distributed without data and accountability calls for in-depth investigation and punishment," he said.
George said he wept for Nigeria, but quickly prayed God to forgive the nation's leaders' transgressions and direct their minds "in ensuring a good life to all our people in Nigeria," expressing the belief that the country would rise again if like Prophet Micah said "we put the fear of God before all human endeavours."
"May God forgive our transgressions and direct the minds of our political leaders in ensuring a good life to all our people in Nigeria.
"I weep for my Country Nigeria but if like Prophet Micah said, our Nation will rise again if we put the fear of God before all human endeavours.
"Nigeria will rise again. We will rise again. In Jesus Name, Amen," he prayed.
Speaking further, George also condemned the 1999 Constitution now in use, describing the document as military compliance, which he said would not take Nigeria out of her present situation.
He charged Nigerians to come up with a new constitution that would state clearly best way to govern the country, pointing out that leaving the Federal Government with enormous powers of deciding for the entire country would not work, as he noted that every state of the federation was blessed with enough resources to take good care of itself.
The PDP chieftain again reiterated his call for establishment of State Police, saying that it was the best way to secure the country. "Please, Nigerians, we must revisit how we want to govern ourselves. Going to Abuja to share monies for states and local governments won't work," Chief George said.
Also speaking, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, said it was high time the government told the home truth that Nigerians were suffering across board and without exception, occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.
According to the Yoruba generalissimo, who was represented by Yinka Oguntimehin, a lawyer, price of litres of petrol or diesel to fuel one's vehicle on weekly basis is now very exorbitant, saying that the country's currency was now becoming valueless, but quickly prayed that it would not become ordinary paper.
"The government must come in quickly to address the matter. I pray that Nigerians would not be back on the streets again," he prayed.
Adams equally reiterated his call on need to revisit the reviewed 1999 Constitution, just as he charged the Federal Government to tackle the insecurity ravaging the nation.
Chief Tola Adeniyi, former Managing Director of Daily Times, in his short remark, declared pointedly that Nigerian politicians lacked integrity to make any positive impact on the country, saying based on that "you cannot expect any posterity in Nigeria."
On State Police, Chief Adeniyi said it was a dream that would not come to pass, alleging that the present structure had become a cash cow for those who were feeding fat on it.
"To expect anything from Nigerian politicians is to be postponing the doomsday. I don't see how an Okiro will police Akure. Nigeria Police is the cash cow of those who held Nigeria down. I don't expect anything from those who have nothing to give", he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the publisher of Freedom online, Gabriel Akinadewo, noted that unless Nigeria had a constitution, which reflects the wishes and aspiration of the citizens, the country can never have a breakthrough.
He posited that the Federal Government can't continue to use federal measure to tackle local challenges, recalling quickly that such was not the situation in the First Republic.
"In the First Republic because of the constitution operated, the centre was less attractive. We should make the centre less attractive like we have it in America. Nigerians want State Police between now and 2027. The world is moving forward, we can't afford to be stagnant," he said.
Also in his own remark, a former military governor of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Omoniyi Olubolade (rtd), said for a country to move forward, it should not be an island to itself, adding that there should be a constitution that would address the challenges of its citizens and as well tackle the issue of insecurity.
Benson Enikuomehin, an Abuja based lawyer, made a passionate plea to Ondo State government and President Bola Tinubu to come to the aid of his Ilaje people of Ondo south senatorial district, to avert a looming disater that perennial flood may wreck on them.
Enukuomehin, who contended that "Ilaje area gives Ondo State its oil producing status", maintained that something must be done urgently "before they are wiped off".
Present at the lecture were, The President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba; Mr. Richard Akinnola, Mr. Bola Bolawole, former Editor of Punch Newspaper, Mr Lanre Arogundade, Dr. Omoniyi Fagbemi, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, Mr Benson Enikuomehin, Ogbeni Lanre Banjo and a host of eminent journalists, among others. NNL.
At least, 346 persons have been reportedly killed within three months in eight Local Government Areas in Plateau State, a human rights organisations, Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, has said.
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief)
It was a rude shock to a notorious drug kingpin who specializes in sponsoring young Nigerians to traffick Class A drugs to Europe especially Italy, when operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, stormed his hotel room in Okota area of Lagos late on Friday 21st July when he was preparing a recruited courier to swallow 93 pellets of cocaine meant for distribution in Italy.
The 48-year-old drug kingpin, Charles Uwagbale, had recruited Uju Dominic, 35, from his base in Italy with a deal to come to Nigeria, ingest 100 pellets of cocaine on Friday 21st July and return to Italy on Saturday 22nd July.
True to plan, upon the arrival in Nigeria, the mule was lodged in Golden Heaven Hotel located at Enoma street off Ago-Palace way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos where Uwagbale brought 93 wraps of the Class A drug for him to swallow at about 23:45pm Friday night.
They were in the process when NDLEA operatives who have been on their trail following credible intelligence stormed their hotel room, arrested both and recovered the drug exhibits with a total weight of 1.427 kilograms.
A statement on Sunday, July 23, 2023 by the NDLEA Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said Operatives of the Lagos state Command of the Agency who made the arrest and seizure had on Thursday 20th July raided Akala in Mushin area of the state where they recovered 37.5kg cannabis from the home of a fleeing suspect.
Meanwhile, attempts to smuggle 98 cartons containing Five Million One Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand Nine Hundred (5, 122, 900) pills of Tramadol 225mg with an estimated street value of about Three Billion Seven Hundred Million Naira (N3.7billion) only into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, have been thwarted through the robust synergy between men of the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA officers at the airport as well as those at the DHL cargo warehouse. Preliminary findings revealed that the consignments were imported from India and Pakistan, while some of the seized consignments had Freetown, Sierra Leone as final destination.
In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Bauchi state have recovered a total of Six Million Two Hundred and Sixty-Five and Eighty (6,265,080) pills of opioids from three suspects: Emmanuel Onyebuchi, 32; Uche Iyida, 33; and Chinedu Ezeanyim, 32 following their arrest alongside a truck driver and his assistant at Shopping Complex, Maiduguri Bye-Pass, Bauchi town on Wednesday 19th July and the subsequent follow up search of the residence of Iyida on Friday 21st July.
No fewer than Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Five Hundred (999,500) tablets of Exol-5 were also recovered by operatives from a shop close to the market at Hong Road, Gombi, Adamawa state on Friday 21st July, while 46,000 capsules of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Paul Ajaegbu, 36, along Owerri - Aba road, Imo state on Monday 17th July. Same suspect had earlier been arrested, precisely on 9th February 2023, for the same offence.
In Ondo state, NDLEA operatives in their numbers stormed the Ofosu forest where they destroyed 29 hectares of cannabis farms on Thursday 20th July. The quartet of Osamezu George Chukwuemeka, 51, who owns the farm; his wife Kate Osamezu, 43; Agboola Wasiu, 37 and Mustapha Sanni, were arrested during the operation, while 118.5kg processed cannabis was recovered from the farm. In another raid of the warehouse of a suspect at Elegbeka, Ose LGA, not less than 107 jumbo bags of the same illicit substance weighing 1,132.5kg were recovered on Monday 17th July.
While operatives in Sokoto state arrested a suspect, Charles Nwankwo, 50, with 610kg of cannabis in Tamaje area of Sokoto on Friday 21st July, their counterparts in Yobe also same day nabbed a fleeing suspect Shaibu Musa, 29, in Dawasa while he was offering them a bribe of N500,000 following the seizure of 36kg skunk in his house on Wednesday 19th July.
In Edo state, operatives on Monday 17th July raided the Utese forest Ovia North East LGA where they arrested Victor Asukwo Jack, with 59 bags of processed cannabis sativa weighing 640kg. His two cannabis farms measuring 1.489895 hectares and 2.445295 hectares were destroyed. Also, Endurance Chukwuma, 50, was arrested with seven bags of processed cannabis sativa weighing 68kg, while his cannabis farm measuring 0.254324 hectares was destroyed.
A total of 273kg cannabis was earlier intercepted in a Toyota Sienna Vehicle marked RBC 451 CM on Wednesday 19th July at Ogida, Benin City, and a suspect, Lucky Oriakhi, 41, arrested while operatives also seized 48,380 pills of tramadol in a commercial bus marked KAK 66 XA along Ewohimi road, heading to Kabba, Kogi state and arrested the driver, Ibrahim John.
In Nasarawa, two suspects: Abubakar Suleiman, 30 and Shehu Garba (aka Shagari), 29 were arrested along Keffi - Akwanga road on Tuesday 18th July in a Peugeot J5 vehicle loaded with 1,608.4 kilograms of cannabis sativa. The consignment was loaded in Edo state and meant for distribution in Bauchi state. While a total of 1,556.1kg of cannabis was recovered from two suspects: Jonathan Nuhu, 54 and Mohammed Abubakar, 18, following their arrest at Wudil area of Kano State on Thursday 20th July, 76kg of same substance was seized from Yakubu Muhammad, 32, on Monday 17th July along Okene/Lokoja highway in a trailer coming from Port Harcourt to Kano.
In the same vein, operatives in Ogun state on Wednesday 19th July, recovered 810 parcels of cannabis weighing 604kg from the house of one Adetunji Abiodun.
Fresh bid to smuggle into Nigeria, another consignment of Colorado, a synthetic variant of cannabis, through the Tincan port in Apapa Lagos was again on Friday 21st July frustrated by NDLEA officers who discovered a total of 323 parcels of the illicit substance weighing 161.5kg concealed in one of the four used vehicles in a container marked MEDU 7519460 coming from Montreal, Canada, during a joint examination of the shipment.
At least, three suspects are currently in NDLEA custody over the shipment while a bribe of N20 million converted to $22,900 offered operatives by the importer’s agents has also been recovered and documented as evidence.
Impressed by the volume of arrests and seizures made by officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Bauchi, Adamawa, Ondo, Sokoto, Yobe, Edo, Imo, Kano, Kogi, Ogun, Nasarawa and Tincan Commands in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended them for jobs well done while he urged them and their counterparts across the country to continue the synergy with other security agencies and stakeholders in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. NNL.
By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The Bauchi Police Command have arrested seven notorious kidnappers at Babarko village via Pali district and Yalo Karekare Digare villages Gwana villages in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State.
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