News
Ariolu, Paddy, Others Storm Emohua, Pay Last Respect To Ogbuagu …Egbeda Leaders Pledge Loyalty To PDP
The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barrister George Ariolu, last Saturday, teamed up with former Obio/Akpor LGA Caretaker Committee Chairman, Paddy Wali and other dignitaries in Emohua Local Government Area to pay last respect to late Mr Innocent IjeOgbuagu.
The late Innocent Ogbuagu, who passed on at age 96, was until his demise the father of Head of Local Government Administration in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Johnson Ogbuagu.
Accompanied by his Vice, Lady ChinyeruAgbara, Ariolu paid his last respects to the deceased at his residence.
The funeral service, which was held at his hometown in Egbeda, Emohua Local Government Area, witnessed thrilling performances by the Owembe Cultural Dance Group and other indigenous musical performances and arts.
Ariolu during the funeral, condoled with the family of the deceased over their loss, whilst he encouraged them to take solace in the Lord.
He also urged the head of local government administration to be courageous and assume responsibility for the family.
Responding on behalf of the family, Johnson thanked the chairman for leading a high-powered delegation to Emohua to pay last respect to his late father and to commiserate with his family during their time of grief and mourning.
The ceremony had in attendance members of council workers and civil servants, amongst others who came to sympathize with the family of the deceased.
On the entourage of Ariolu were the Chief of Staff, Mr Promise Ogbonda; Supervisor for Works, Samuel Amadi; Supervisor for Agriculture; India Amadi; Supervisor for Education; Henry Ebere; Supervisor for Youths and Sports; Newman Ogbonda;special advisers, executive assistants, amongst others.
Others include; Leader,Obio/Akpor 9th Legislative Council,Prince AchorNna; Legal Adviser Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barrister Leslie Ejekwu; Secretary, Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, IjeOkabie.
Similarly, the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Egbeda Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State has commiserated with the family of Hon Johnson DidiaOgbuagu on the demise of his father, late Elder Innocent Ogbuagu.
They described late Ogbuagu as a rare gem who will be missed for his fatherly dispositions.
The Leader of the party, Chief David Omereji, who was accompanied by the Deputy Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly,Hon Edison Ehie; member of Rivers State House of Assembly representing Ahoada East 1,Hon ChibudomEzu; the Secretary of PDP in Emohua LGA, Hon ObindaWordu; the Co-ordinator of Wike Solidarity Movement (WSM) in Emohua Local Government Area, Hon John Amadi; the Councillor representing Egbedacommunity and the Chief Whip of Emohua Local Government Legislative Assembly, Hon Beauty Chile Omereji; the immediate past councillor, Hon HumphreyDidiAssor; and other leaders of the party, also prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
In a communique read by Assor, members of PDP in Egbedacommunity reminded Ehie that Egbeda people have never been allowed to hold any elective position in the LGA since its creation, adding thatEgbeda people were loyal to the decisions of the leadership of the party.
He also assured him that the people of Egbeda would support all the candidates of PDP in the 2023 elections.
Speaking during the visit, the Leader of PDP in Egbeda Ward 11, Chief David Omereji described Ehie as a friend of Egbedacommunity.
He told the lawmaker that Egbeda people have accepted the decision of the party, and assured him of the unflinching support of the people.
Omereji also told Egbeda people that nobody would take the place of God, adding that some disappointments were blessings in disguise.
In his reaction, Hon Edison Ehie said he has confirmed that Egbedawas the most populous community in Ikwerre.
He thanked Omereji for holding the party united, and said that the state Governor, Chief NyesomWike, if given the party’s ticket, would win the presidential election come 2023, adding that the governor was proud of him.
He assured Egbeda people that good things were on the way, and asked them to always support and pray for their leader, Chief David Omereji.
In her closing remarks, Hon Beauty Chile Omereji assured the deputy speaker that Egbeda has done it before and would do it again by voting massively for the PDP in the 2023 elections.
She assured him that PDP has never lost election in Egbeda, and would continue to win in all elections.
The epoch-making event was witnessed by all the leaders, youths, women and the elders of the party in Egbedacommunity.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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