Business

NDLEA Warns Traffickers Against Drug Ingestion

Published

16 years ago

November 11, 2009

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has warned against ingestion of hard drugs by Nigerians, noting that it is highly detrimental to health.
Alhaji Hamisu Lawan, NDLEA commander at the Abuja Airport, gave this warning recently while disclosing the arrest made by operatives of the national Airport, Abuja-”Our message to the general public is for them to say no to drug trafficking”, Lawan said.“Swallowing drugs is dangerous and could lead to death”. He disclosed that the command has apprehended five suspected drug traffickers for allegedly swallowing 410 wraps of powdery narcotic substances at the airport.
According to him, four of the suspects ingested 335 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocain with a weight of 5.750 kilogrammes while one suspect ingested 75 wraps of substances that tested positive for heroin with a weight of 1.3 kilogrammes.
Lawan gave the names of the suspects as Undeagha Ume Irukwu, 31 year old Lagos based computer dealer ingested 104 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.750 kilogrammes; Owele Edwin Okotie, 30 year old labourer in a vegetable farm in Malaga, Spain, who swallowed 100 wraps of narcotics weighing 1.6 kilogrammes and Nnaka Kingsley, 30 year old labourer in Akala, Spain, swallowed 64 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.150kg.
Others are Nwabueze Kalu Ikwa, 44 year old trader who swallowed 67 wraps of cocaine with a weight of 1.250 kilogrammes and Bonek Boniface, 31 year old labourer in Italy who swallowed 75 wraps of heroin weighing 1.300 kilogrammes.
Undeagha Ume Irukwu who ingested 104 wraps with a weight of 1.750 kg, was arrested on October 20, 2009. He was to travel in a Lufthansa flight from Abuja to Hamburg in Germany through Frankfurt.
Speaking on the reasons why he decided to smuggle illicit drugs. Irukwu said, “My house at number 29 Owokoniram Street, Mushin was demolished in September because they said it was blocking a sewage canal. Since then my wife has gone to village to stay with her mother. I need to rent a house and bring my wife and child back, that was how I became involved in drug trafficking. If only I know that I will be caught, I would not have agreed to smuggle the drugs for 3,000 Euros that they promised to pay me.
It was my friend in Port Harcourt that linked me with the people that gave me the drugs in Lagos. He gave them my phone numbers and they were the ones calling me. I swallowed the drug in Lagos and took flight to Abuja”.
Owele Edwin Okolie was arrested on October 15, 2009 at about 9.00pm while attempting to board a KLM flight from Abuja to Malaga Spain through Amsterdam. Okotie like Udeagha tested positive during screening of passengers and was placed under observation to enable him excrete the wraps of cocaine that he ingested in a bid to circumvent security checks.
According to him, he indulged in the crime after he was sacked from his job last year.
“I was sacked a year ago due to the economic meltdown. I searched for job but could not find one. My friend in Spain then suggested that I should come to Lagos and collect drugs and that they will pay me 2,000 Euros. I have no option so I accepted the offer. I am from Anambra State and I swallowed 100 wraps. When I was caught, I felt so bad because I know that it was over for me. This is my first time and I regret ever venturing into drug trafficking”, he said.

Business

Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has unveiled the plans to host a major economic and investment summit aimed at attracting five billion dollars, ( N7 trillion) investments in addition to creating about 500,000 jobs over the next five years.

The Chairman of NDCCITMA Board, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently.

Ogan stated that the initiative is designed to reposition the Niger Delta as a viable destination for sustainable economic growth and development.

He explained the summit would bring together investors, policymakers, manufacturers and business leaders from within and outside Nigeria to explore opportunities across key sectors of the regional economy.

According to him, the event is expected to attract high-profile participation, with President Bola Tinubu billed as Special Guest of Honour, while the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, is expected to deliver the keynote address.

Ogan said the summit would focus on critical sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and the blue economy, which he described as areas with significant untapped potential.

He called on state governments, development partners and private sector stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that collective efforts are required to unlock the region’s economic prospects.

NDCCITMA chairman further stated that improving security conditions and increasing economic confidence in the Niger Delta have made the region more attractive to both local and foreign investors.

He emphasised that ongoing economic reforms at the national level have also contributed to creating a more favourable investment climate.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said the event would prioritise the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the region.

He noted the summit would provide a strategic platform for networking, business partnership and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening the private sector.

Edebiri disclosed that findings from a recent business roundtable revealed significant untapped investment opportunities, which the summit seeks to harness through targeted collaborations.

He revealed that the event would feature exhibitions of viable projects, facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government engagements, and also promote innovations across multiple sectors.

According to him, the expected outcomes of the summit include job creation, increased industrial activity and improved livelihoods for people in the Niger Delta.

To build momentum ahead of the event, NDCCITMA said the body would embark on awareness roadshows across states in the Niger Delta, as well as in Lagos and Abuja, to attract broad participation.

King Onunwor

Business

NPA Targets N1.489tn Revenue In 2026

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set N1.489 trillion as its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for the 2026 fiscal year.

NPA says the figure represents an increase of N21 billion over the N1.468 trillion target for 2025, which the agency exceeded with an actual revenue of N1.97 trillion.

The Managing Director NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, stated this during the agency’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.

Dantsoho said the authority was set to begin groundbreaking projects for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to enhance global competitiveness.

According to him, of the projected revenue: N945 billion is allocated for capital projects, N447.5 billion for operating expenses, and

N90.6 billion for remittance into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

The MD explained that the budget was anchored on the mantra, “Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.”

Dantsoho said that the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports were flagship projects aimed at boosting revenue.

“Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are old and no longer adequate for modern global port operations.

“Apapa Port is about 100 years old, while Tin Can Island Port is over 50 years old, with limited capacity for handling modern vessels and cargo volumes.

“Groundbreaking for their modernisation will commence within the next two to three weeks,” he added.

On the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Dantsoho said all revenues generated by the NPA are paid directly into the account managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We do not retain any funds. The Central Bank is the signatory and we must apply for funds whenever needed,” he explained.

Earlier in his remarks,Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ports, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun (Lagos Central), said the committee’s oversight function was collaborative rather than adversarial.

“Our goal is to work with you to strengthen institutional capacity, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that every naira appropriated serves the public interest,” he said.

Chinedu Wosu

Business

NPF Disburses ?21.68m To Fallen Heros’ Families …Reinforce Welfare Commitment

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria Police Force has disbursed a total of ?21,678,120 to the deceased police officers families in Rivers State as part of ongoing welfare interventions by the force.

The gesture formed a major highlight of the activities marking the 2026 National Police Day celebration in the state, underscoring renewed institutional focus on personnel welfare and post-service support systems.

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who presided over the cheque presentation ceremony, said the initiative reflects the Force’s commitment to honouring officers who paid the ultimate price in their line of duty.

He explained that the financial support is designed to cushion the economic burden faced by bereaved families, while also reinforcing confidence among serving personnel about the Force’s long-term welfare structure.

Adepoju conveyed the sympathy of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to the beneficiaries, noting that the sacrifices of fallen officers remain invaluable to national security and public safety.

The police boss further stressed that sustained welfare interventions are critical to boosting morale, enhancing productivity, and strengthening institutional loyalty within the Force.

He reiterated that the welfare scheme aligns with broader reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force as a responsive and people-oriented institution.

Beneficiaries of the cheques commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for prioritising the welfare of officers and their families through consistent and impactful interventions.

They described the initiative as timely and compassionate, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating financial pressures arising from the loss of their loved ones.

The families also acknowledged ongoing reforms under the current police leadership, which they said have strengthened trust, improved service delivery, and enhanced the overall image of the Force.

The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining similar initiatives as part of efforts to uphold the dignity, sacrifice, and legacy of officers who served the nation with distinction.

King Onunwor