News
…Secures Truce Between Jang, Useni
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has brokered a truce between the immediate past governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang and Senator Jeremiah Useni.
Wike, who met with the two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaders in Jos, the Plateau State capital, last Wednesday, said his reconciliatory visit was necessary if the party was to reclaim state governorship position and defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 general election.
The Rivers State governor, during the meeting which took place at the residence of Useni, explained that his visit was necessitated by friction that had existed between the two leaders.
He noted that if the friction was not urgently resolved, it would affect the success of the party in future.
“I do know that there will be by-election at the federal constituency and state constituency, and then, again we are talking about the gubernatorial and national elections next year. If the party is not united, no matter how bad APC is, there is no way we can win.”
He further said, “And so, for me, personal sacrifices can be made if you have fought wars for this country for the unity of Nigeria and today Nigeria is bleeding, not only Nigeria is bleeding, Plateau too is bleeding. I have no apology to say that the people of Plateau State are waiting for you both to put the party together, and then, you will just take back Plateau State. Plateau State is a natural PDP state.”
Wike stated that it would be a disservice to the people of Plateau, if the two leaders allow the APC to remain in power because of small disagreements between them.
He, therefore, urged them to set aside their political differences in the interest of the party.
“There are disagreements everywhere. There are disagreements in the party even at the national level. So, it is not a question of I am right. It is not a question of Jang is right, you are wrong or you are right, Jang is wrong. It is a question of, for whatever it takes, can we please, in the name of God, leave our personal interests and make our party move forward.”
The Rivers State governor implored both Jang and Useni to make personal sacrifices to move the party forward not only in Plateau State, but in Nigeria at large.
According to him, the unity of the party was key at this crucial moment because APC moles within the PDP were trying to sow seed of discords.
“APC is trying to penetrate our party to make sure that the leadership of the party at the national level is being distracted through one or two persons, but we are making sure that does not happen. While we are doing that, we also want to make sure that the branches are also united.”
Wike explained that rebuilding the party is what was most paramount to concerned members of the PDP who want the party to return to power at the centre and retake majority of the states in the country.
“If the party is united, then, we are sure of coasting home in 2023, and not just the national election, also Plateau State, knowing full well that Plateau is a PDP state, but somehow, we are no longer in power in Plateau State.”
After a closed door meeting with the two PDP leaders, Wike announced that they have agreed to set aside their differences and work together.
“I can tell you that the two of them have agreed. They will meet on their own, compare notes, and share, then, we will later meet. By the grace of God, I can tell you that PDP will bounce back in Plateau State.”
Wike also took a swipe the ruling APC, and declared that Nigerians who were already disenchanted with the pervading hunger in the land, insecurity and growing abject poverty were anxiously waiting for the PDP to return to power and rescue the nation.
For this reason, he urged PDP members to unite in order to successfully wrest power from the APC.
“We have to put ourselves together. If we put ourselves together, then, we will be helping Nigerians. But if we don’t put ourselves today, then, Nigerians will not be happy with us because that means we are allowing the ruling party, its maladministration to remain in power.”
In his remarks, the former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, thanked Wike for visiting Jos to broker truce between him and Useni.
He further disclosed that following the intervention of Wike, he and Useni have agreed to work together in the interest of the party.
“We have agreed to work together to ensure the unity of PDP on the Plateau and ensure victory in 2023 election, not only governorship, all other elections, federal or state. We want PDP to take its rightful position again on the Plateau, and this is what we are going to work on. We want to thank Governor Nyesom Wike for coming to talk to us, and we have agreed that we will continue from here.”
On his part, Senator Jeremiah Useni commended Wike for finding time to come to Jos on a reconciliatory visit.
He assured the governor that as a former state governor, he would henceforth forge a common alliance with Jang in the interest of the party.
He disclosed that he has been following the developmental strides of the Rivers State governor, and urged other governors to emulate him.
“I have been following your activities, and I always tell people that if we have governors like you, Nigeria would have been changed.”
On Wike’s entourage were, former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe; Rivers State PDP Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor; former Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuchi; and Austin Opara; Senator Lee Maeba; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; and former Rivers State PDP chairman, Bro Felix Obuah.
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.
News
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