The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its officers at the Tincan Island port in Lagos have intercepted a container loaded with 1,072 kilograms of cannabis worth N3 billion.

Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs (CGC), who spoke to journalists on Friday, said the container was imported from Canada.

Adeniyi said the agency is collaborating with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to fight against illicit drug trafficking.

The customs CG said the agency also seized 877 cartons of cough syrup with codeine imported from India.

“Three plastic drums concealing several packets of Cannabis Indica and 46 bags containing 2,144 packets of Cannabis Indica, all weighing 1,072 kg, were seized from 01x40ft Container No. GAOU 669921/5 imported from Canada,” he said.

“The approximate street value of the illicit substances is N3,216,000,000, while 877 cartons of Barcadin cough syrup with codeine—200 bottles of 100ml per carton—and 82 cartons of really extra diclofenac sodium 50mg tablets—600 packs per carton imported from India—were seized.

“The approximate street value of the cough syrup is N964,339,348.00.”

Adeniyi lamented that some criminal elements are using the network of customs officers and terminal operators to undermine the system.

He added that there is a growing number of containers that are not examined in the ports but are being released to importers.

“The NCS will continue to work closely with relevant national and international agencies to conduct operations that lead to the interception of illegal goods and the disruption of criminal networks,” he added.

“Investigations are ongoing, and perpetrators will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Let this seizure serve as a warning to those who engage in illicit activities that the NCS remains vigilant and dedicated to protecting our society.”

Two suspects including a final-year student of Delta State University (DELSU) have been arrested over an alleged fake kidnapping.

They were arrested on June 11 after the father of the suspected self-kidnapper — identified as Nelson Eserada — complained to the Abraka division regarding the abduction of his son.

The Department of Banking & Finance student allegedly conspired with his cousin Jerry Lawrence to stage his kidnap in an attempt to extort N50 million in Bitcoin from his father.

While parading the suspects on Thursday, Bright Edafe, the Delta state police PRO, said the suspects “committed a unique kind of offence”.

Edafe said the suspects were in police custody, adding that there is an ongoing investigation into the matter.

“Today we will be parading two suspects who this time committed a unique kind of offence. We call it self-kidnapping. They are blood-related. They conspired among themselves and staged a fake kidnap just to extort money from the father,” he said.

“Initially when we got the report, we thought it was a case of kidnapping. But they actually tied the young man and send the video to the father demanding for N50 million in Bitcoin. The father already sent N5 million in bitcoin and one of the suspects has told us that he has spent N2 million from that money and it is remaining N3 million.

“Parents should train their children, if they don’t when they grow up, they might become a mess to you and society.”

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has secured a seven-year conviction for Quadri Adeyinka, a staff member of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The convict was said to have committed a travelling passport fraud.

In a statement on Monday, Demola Bakare, spokesperson for the ICPC, said the convict was arraigned before Jude Onwuegbuzie, a high court judge in Abuja, on a four-count charge bordering on gratification, conferment of corrupt advantage, and cheating.

Bakare said the offence contravened the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000 and the Penal Code Act.

The spokesperson said Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel to the ICPC, led evidence before the court on how Adeyinka defrauded Ovie Ojeffia under the pretence of regularising his international passport.

He said that the convict received the sum of ₦100,000 from Ojeffia to regularise her passport but reneged.

Bakare added that the victim later petitioned the ICPC, which led to the investigation and arraignment of the convict before the court.

Onwuegbuzie, who found Adeyinka guilty on all four counts, sentenced him to seven years imprisonment each for counts 1 and 2, five years for count 4, and two years for count 3.

The sentences are to run simultaneously.