NDLEA seizes over two billion tramadol pills in 18 months, enhances surveillance at ports
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has seized more than two billion tramadol pills in the past 18 months, according to its Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa retd.. This disclosure was made during a familiarisation tour of the Lekki Free Trade Zone and Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos. Marwa stated that these seizures resulted from coordinated operations and intelligence sharing with international partners, particularly authorities in India and Pakistan. He warned drug traffickers against using Nigerian ports, highlighting the agency's enhanced surveillance and intelligence capabilities. The NDLEA is collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and other security agencies to facilitate intelligence sharing and case transfers. Marwa emphasized the need for collective effort to combat drug trafficking, describing the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Free Trade Zone as strategic national assets. He also mentioned the recent discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, which, if unchecked, could have produced illicit drugs worth approximately $360 million. The NDLEA chairman urged parents to monitor their children for signs of substance abuse and seek early intervention. He expressed optimism that proposed amendments to the NDLEA Act would introduce stiffer penalties for drug traffickers. The Managing Director of Lekki Free Zone, Mrs Adesuwa Ladoja, and the Managing Director of Lekki Port, Mr
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Lagos emergency responders successfully contained two separate fire incidents on Thursday, preventing major disasters and recording no casualties. In Ikotun, a gas-laden tanker caught fire after striking a road bump, causing the driver to lose control and a tire to burst. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Federal Road Safety Corps, and Nigeria Police collaborated to extinguish the blaze and manage traffic. LASEMA Permanent Secretary Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu urged motorists to obey speed limits. Separately, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a fire at the electronics section of a Justrite Superstore in Egbeda-Akowonjo. Controller General Margaret Adeseye reported that firefighters quickly contained the fire, which preliminary findings suggest originated from an alternative power source, specifically the building's solar inverter system. Both incidents were brought under control with no loss of life or injuries.
The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the mysterious death of five members of the same family in Umuimo, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area. The victims, identified as Mr Kachi Nnabugwu, his wife, Chinaza, and their three children, were found dead inside their residence on Tuesday. The incident was reported to the Osisioma Divisional Police Headquarters on July 22, 2026, by the deceased's brother after he was unable to reach them. Upon forcing entry into the house, the lifeless and decomposing bodies were discovered. Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, stated that detectives visited the scene, conducted a preliminary visual inspection, and took photographs. The bodies have been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy, with investigations ongoing. Residents reported the family was last seen on Saturday, July 18, and neighbors forced entry after repeated failed attempts to contact them. Containers of leftover food and a generator were reportedly found in the building. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear.
Credit extended to Nigeria's private sector reached N83.3tn in June 2026, marking a 2.8 percent increase from N81tn in May. This data comes from the Central Bank of Nigeria's latest Money and Credit Statistics. Conversely, credit to the government saw a 0.99 percent decline, falling to N40tn in June from N40.4tn in May. Consequently, net domestic credit grew by 1.5 percent to N123.3tn in June, up from N121.42tn the previous month. This rise in private sector lending indicates that banks are continuing to provide credit to businesses and households, even with the Central Bank of Nigeria's high-interest rate policy. Analysts suggest that sustained credit growth could foster business expansion, investment, and overall economic activity. However, there is also a concern that if credit growth outpaces the economy's productive capacity, it could lead to increased inflationary pressures. The figures highlight a persistent demand for financing despite the Central Bank of Nigeria's tight monetary policy, which aims to control inflation and stabilize prices.