🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
NDLEA Edo State Command intercepts 748kg of tramadol and other controlled drugs on Benin-Lagos Expressway
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA announced the interception of 748.02kg of controlled pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol, on the Benin-Lagos Expressway. NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, stated that on Thursday, April 23, 2026, a Mercedes-Benz truck bearing the Nigeria Labour Congress insignia and registration number Federal Capital Territory NLC 146 FC was intercepted. The truck was transporting 95 cartons containing 1.196 million capsules and tablets of psychotropic substances from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra State. Two suspected drug cartel members, Osagie Igbinibo, 43, and Omijie Malik, 44, were apprehended. The seized substances included 23 cartons of tramadol 100 mg totaling 264 kg, 40 cartons of tramadol 50 mg totaling 180 kg, 7 cartons of Rohypnol totaling 25.2 kg, 19 cartons of diazepam injection totaling 242.82 kg, and 6 cartons of bromazepam totaling 36 kg. Ofoyeju highlighted the threat posed by such drug shipments to youth and society, linking them to addiction, health emergencies, and fatalities. He confirmed that the suspects are in custody, investigations are ongoing, and they will be charged in court. The operation aligns with directives from the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa retd., to prevent inter-state drug trafficking.
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Must ReadMr. Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President of African Export-Import Bank, announced that the bank is financing three additional refineries in Nigeria. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase local refining capacity and decrease Africa's reliance on imported petroleum products, thereby reducing vulnerability to external supply shocks. The bank's support extends beyond the Dangote refinery to other projects in Nigeria and Angola. This push into refining is driven by recent global supply chain disruptions, particularly those linked to Middle East tensions, which have increased the cost and complexity of fuel imports for African economies. Afreximbank is employing a dual approach: supporting immediate trade finance needs and investing in long-term productive capacity to lessen structural import dependence. The bank's intervention is supported by a $10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme, which aims to stabilize access to essential imports like fuel, food, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals. This facility is already being utilized by countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. The shift towards local refining is also expected to improve macroeconomic stability by reducing foreign exchange pressures associated with fuel imports. In Nigeria, this could help moderate domestic inflation over time. Afreximbank also supports a local currency framework for crude supply to the Dangote refinery, allowing refined products to be sold in naira to ease pressure on
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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced his endorsement of his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election. The announcement followed a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest the governorship seat to members of the State Executive Council and key party leaders. Members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, including former Minister of State of Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro, and Ganiyu Solomon, were also present. Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a unanimous decision by stakeholders, highlighting Hamzat's experience, integrity, loyalty, and commitment over their seven years of working together. He stated that Hamzat is prepared and capable of leading the state, describing him as a man who knows where all the rooms in the house are. The governor also acknowledged President Bola's role in their political journey. Sanwo-Olu characterized the meeting as a consultative process that resulted in broad agreement among stakeholders, signaling an early alignment within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Voting for the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards AMVCA has officially closed, with the winners scheduled to be announced on May 9. Africa Magic expressed gratitude to viewers for their participation in the audience categories. The ceremony will be broadcast live across Africa Magic channels, with the red carpet starting at 4:00 p.m. WAT and the main awards show at 7:00 p.m. WAT. The 2026 edition includes 32 categories, comprising 18 jury-decided awards, 11 audience-voted categories, and three special honors such as Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer awards. Veteran actress Joke Silva is serving as Head Judge for this year's edition. Two new categories, Best Indigenous Language Film North Africa and Best Indigenous Language Film Central Africa, were introduced to enhance continental representation. Nominees include prominent figures like Lateef Adedimeji, Gabriel Afolayan, Funke Akindele, Sola Sobowale, and Bisola Aiyeola. With voting concluded, focus now shifts to the awards night, where winners in film, television, and digital content will be revealed.