Category: News

NDLEA Secures Conviction of 11 Indian Sailors, Vessel Over 31.5kg Cocaine Trafficking; Court Imposes $6m Fine

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, over the trafficking of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria, imposing fines and restitution totaling about $6 million. The conviction comes barely six months after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted the illicit consignment aboard the vessel at the GDNL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos. The ship and its crew were arrested on January 2, 2026, after NDLEA officers discovered 31.5kg of cocaine concealed in Hatch 3 of the…

Democracy Day: Akpabio Calls for Unity, Youth Participation, Support for Tinubu’s Anti-Insecurity Efforts

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, has urged Nigerians to remain united, resilient and actively engaged in nation-building as the country marks 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance. In a Democracy Day message released on Thursday, Akpabio congratulated Nigerians for sustaining democratic rule for nearly three decades, describing the country’s democratic journey as a testament to endurance despite challenges and agitations over the years. The Senate President, through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, acknowledged that mistakes had been made along…

At-Tarbiyyah STEM School Celebrates International STEM Triumphs, Calls for Stronger Focus on Skills Education in Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Abubakar mni, Director of At-Tarbiyyah STEM School , has highlighted the School’s recent International achievements in STEM and Entrepreneurship Competitions, while urging stronger National Investment in Skills-Based Education to reduce Unemployment and Insecurity among young people. Speaking during a celebratory gathering with parents and students, Hajiya Amina said the School’s Teams had an outstanding year, competing in multiple International platforms, including a competition in Côte d’Ivoire and the SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) Programme. She explained that At-Tarbiyya students emerged top performers at regional…

June 12: Credible Elections Are a Fundamental Right, Not a Privilege — NHRC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu, has declared that credible elections are a fundamental human right and not a privilege, stressed that Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when the will of the people is respected. Speaking as Nigerians commemorate Democracy Day, Ojukwu said the June 12, 1993 presidential election remained the country’s strongest evidence that free, fair and transparent elections are achievable when institutions act with integrity and uphold the rule of law. He noted that the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu’s introduction of…

Democracy Day: NOA Urges Nigerians to Strengthen Democratic Values, National Unity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Orientation Agency has called on Nigerians to deepen democratic values, strengthen national unity, and embrace responsible citizenship as the country marks Democracy Day. In a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Media and Communication, Paul Odenyi, the agency’s Director General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, urged citizens to reaffirm their commitment to democratic principles, active participation in governance, and respect for the rule of law. He described June 12 as a historic symbol of Nigerians’ resilience and sacrifices in the struggle for democratic governance, noting that democracy remains the most inclusive…

Navy Uncovers 168,000 Litres of Illegal Fuel, Shuts Down Reactivated Refinery in Rivers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities with the discovery of a massive stockpile of illegally refined petroleum products and the shutdown of a reactivated illegal refining site in Rivers State. The operation, conducted under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH following credible intelligence on the activities of oil theft syndicates in the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area. According to a statement issued by the Director…

Navy Hands Over Suspected Militant Collaborator to DSS in Cross River

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has handed over a suspected militant collaborator to the Department of State Services (DSS) following his arrest during ongoing security operations in the Calabar waterways of Cross River State. The suspect, identified as Ubong Clement, was arrested by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY stationed at the Forward Security Outpost on Dayspring Island in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the arrest was made as part of sustained intelligence-driven operations aimed…

NAFRC Graduates 812 Retiring Military Personnel as Air Chief Urges Productive Post-Service Life

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, on Thursday graduated 812 participants of Course 01/2026, marking another milestone in the Centre’s mission of preparing retiring military personnel for successful civilian life through vocational, entrepreneurial and management training. Speaking at the Passing Out Ceremony, the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal N.I. Ilo, said the graduating class was drawn from the three services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The participants comprised 218 personnel from the Nigerian Army, 121 from the Nigerian Navy and 176 from the Nigerian Air Force,…

NIDCOM Welcomes Home 262 Nigerians Evacuated from South Africa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has welcomed the safe return of the first batch of 262 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following rising concerns over the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens in the country. The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Thursday aboard an Air Peace flight from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. The evacuation was carried out on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who approved and fully funded the operation as part of the Federal Government’s commitment…

FG Evacuates 258 Nigerians from South Africa as Xenophobic Attacks Escalate

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has evacuated 258 Nigerians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country. The evacuees arrived in Nigeria on Thursday aboard a special Air Peace flight, which landed at the International Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 10:25 a.m. Officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, led by Acting High Commissioner Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi, accompanied the returnees on the flight. Receiving the evacuees on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of State for Foreign…