The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency recovered the sum of N280,389,068.08 from forfeited assets in August 2024, The PUNCH reports. This is according to a report on the war on narcotics detailing the achievements of the agency in August. The report tagged, ‘War on narcotics’ showed that the NDLEA achieved significant milestones in its operations last month. The report revealed that “The agency made 1,821 arrests—1,640 males and 181 females—and seized 142,291.3kg of various drugs. “NDLEA charged 415 suspects, securing 414 convictions and asset forfeitures, and destroyed 49.63 hectares of cannabis farms. “In drug demand reduction, 949 individuals were treated…
Author: UZDO Media
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Chief Emeka Beke, has criticized the 27 lawmakers from the state House of Assembly who have denied their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party. Beke, an ally of former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, asserted that these lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, cannot deny their membership in the APC after openly defecting. Beke made these remarks at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Saturday, in response to Amaewhule’s recent claims that he and his colleagues were still members of the PDP. The pro-Wike lawmakers had announced their defection to…
The Peoples Democratic Party kicked against the result of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, which ushered in the All Progressives Congress candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo as the new governor of the state. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who is the Chairman, Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council, on Sunday, stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission should be held accountable for violating the Electoral Act. Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who came second with 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who emerged third with 22, 763 votes. Of the 18 Local Government Areas…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind the plot to unseat the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum. The PUNCH learned on Sunday that Atiku reached out to members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) advocating for Damagum’s ouster. This move to remove Damagum has divided the 13 state governors elected on the PDP platform. While seven governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, are pushing for Damagum’s removal, four others, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, support his retention. The pro-Damagum governors are allies of the Minister of…
The Department of State Services has released six of the #Hunger or #EndBadGovernance protesters who were arrested during demonstrations in Kaduna State. The protests, held between August 1 and 10, were in response to the economic hardships being experienced by citizens across the country. According to human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), a total of 2,111 protesters were arrested by security agents during the demonstrations. Sources within the DSS told our correspondent on Sunday that the six protesters were released following the completion of investigations, while three others would be arraigned. One source said, “On September 19, 2024, six persons…
Electricity customers on Band A feeders may need to brace up for a possible tariff increase following the rise in the electricity tariff shortfall otherwise known as subsidy. The PUNCH reports that the electricity subsidy to be paid by the Federal Government rose to N181,63bn in September from N102.30bn in May. In April when the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission announced the removal of subsidy in areas categorised as Band A feeders, the subsidy was N140.7bn. To ensure liquidity in the sector, the government stopped paying subsidies for Band A customers, who enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily,…
Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has vowed to continue boxing despite his shocking defeat to Daniel Dubois in London on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Joshua’s bid to become a three-time champion and return to the division’s top table ended dramatically and unexpectedly, with Dubois dropping him several times at Wembley Stadium before he landed the final blow, a crunching right hand, in Round 5 that saw his English rival fall to the canvas for a fourth career loss, while Dubois retained his IBF belt. Joshua made an appearance at the post-fight news conference and insisted he would continue…
A sad picture of hardship and desperation keeps emerging in the border communities of Ogun State. It has been five years since the Nigerian government banned fuel supply in their areas. For residents of border communities in Ipokia Local Government Area, the hardship has only worsened as they struggle for energy like foreigners in their fatherland. DARE OLAWIN writes about the pains of the people and their unavailing pleas to the Federal Government for succour In 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had, through the Nigeria Customs Service, stopped fuel supply to all filling stations within 20-kilometre distance from the…
Bolt’s fare increase has been met with opposition from Nigerian drivers, who argue that the decision is impacting their earnings as they grapple with low patronage. Passengers are also complaining that e-hailing has become unaffordable for many of them, writes PRINCESS ETUK Bolt offers an e-hailing service that gives users a convenient alternative to traditional taxis. It uses mobile apps to connect passengers with drivers, featuring real-time tracking, fare estimation, and cashless payment options. This e-hailing platform links individual drivers with potential users. Capitalising on the country’s underdeveloped public transport system, large population, and rapid urbanization. E-hailing mobility services have…
In remote parts of Nigeria, the lack of essential healthcare services can be deadly. I saw this firsthand as a physician when a young mother lost her infant to a preventable infection because the nearest clinic, situated over 20 kilometers away, was poorly equipped and lacked both necessary medications and trained staff. This tragedy is not an isolated incident but a reflection of broader systemic deficiencies impacting countless families across Nigeria. Indeed, Nigeria’s child mortality crisis starkly highlights the urgent need for systemic change. According to a recent report, despite significant global progress—where the under-five mortality rate declined by 51%…