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EU Envoy Visits Peterside …As Jega Charges Election Observers
Head of European Union Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Ambassador Michel Arrion, has called for violence-free polls across Nigeria. He said the European Union are friends of Nigeria and Nigerians, therefore the regional body is concerned about the forth-coming general elections.
Arrion said this in Port Harcourt during a courtesy call on Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State.
The envoy who expressed anxiety over increasing tension ahead of March 28 and April 11 elections, called on political actors to play by the rules to avoid violence or anything that is capable of discrediting the elections.
He said, “I just started my visit this morning. This is my first visit to Port Harcourt and I am meeting with the governor and the candidates for the governorship elections. For me, it is an opportunity to discuss with all the candidates and political stakeholders, including civil societies to get a sense of state politics and electoral processes. We also want to see what is going on, not only at state level but also at the federal level.
“I am always raising the same issues with all politicians, primarily the question of violence. We very much unfortunately anticipate violence. As EU, we are friends of Nigeria and Nigerians and we would like to avoid violence by all means. So what kind of prevention, what kind of preparation can we support? That is why we are here”, he added.
Responding, Peterside commended EU for their timely intervention. He said nothing could have been better for Nigerians in this season of election than this violence-free election initiative.
He pledged his commitment to peaceful elections and called on Nigerians to continue to support such initiatives, insisting that credible elections come only where there is no violence and chaos.
He noted that all eyes are on Nigeria, therefore the highest level of conduct is expected from us.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday urged election observers for the upcoming general elections to abide by the guidelines of the exercise.
Jega who made the call at a meeting with accredited domestic and foreign observers for the elections in Abuja. He commended the role of the observers in previous elections, saying that it was crucial because it supported the commission to improve on the country’s electoral process.
He restated that observers’ reports on the 2011 general elections guided the commission in preparing for the upcoming polls.
Jega, however, urged the observers to work only within the functions and powers as clearly spelt out in the electoral process.
According to him, while an election monitor exercises some level of lawful authority over the conduct of elections, “an observer has no such powers’’.
He said“In Nigeria, a monitor must be duly authorised personnel of the INEC; an observer is independent and reports only to his or her organisation. A monitor can issue instructions and take instructions on behalf of INEC and to that extent, would ordinarily possess a greater technical knowledge of the election process than an observer,’’ Jega explained.
The INEC chairman added that the commission had concluded arrangements to enable the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to vote in the elections, adding that the arrangement would ensure that there was a safe place for the IDPs to vote.
According to him, this will apply to IDPs from areas that are worst hit by the insurgency, specifically in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
“The plan is to create voting centres in safe areas,” he added.
A domestic observer, Mr Folarin Olayinka, who is the Chairman, Ogun branch of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), expressed satisfaction with INEC’s code of conduct for observers for the elections.
Olayinka said that there was no doubt that INEC would conduct elections in the states affected by insurgency in view of the progress made by the military in regaining areas hitherto occupied by the insurgents.
“It is of no doubt as well that we will observe the process and at the appropriate time, we will come out with the outcome to the appropriate authority,’’ he said.
Similarly, Mr Sentell Barnes, Resident Programe Officer (Nigeria) of the International Republican Institute (IRI), said that the meeting served as a good platform for observers to understand their roles during the elections.
He said that the six weeks extension period for the election provided ample opportunity for INEC to get better prepared to conduct the polls.
“It has also given the political parties the time to really move away from campaign rallies and get more focused on issues. “We are at a better time than we were for the February 14 date.“People are ready and hope there will be no violence and will go and express their right to vote,’’ Barnes said.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
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RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor