Celebrities
NDLEA intercepts 4,752kg of cannabis concealed in gas tanker in Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted a gas tanker in Abuja, the nation’s capital, loaded with 511 jumbo sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 4,752kg.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, in a statement on Sunday, said the illicit drug was loaded into the tanker in Ondo state.
Babafemi said four suspects — Efe Abel Mikel, Ebigide Cyril, Ejechi Monday and Friday Benson Chukwudi — were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Babafemi said the operatives also smashed an international drug syndicate with networks in Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand.
He said five members of the syndicate were arrested in a two-week intelligence-led operations in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states.
“The unravelling of the drug cartel started on Sunday 20th April when their cargo of four big suitcases arrived at the NAHCO shed on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa,” the statement reads.
“After days of close monitoring and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Chisom Peter was arrested on Wednesday 24th April after he showed up to pick two of the suitcases containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis owned by a Thailand-based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael.
“The consignment of four parcels was concealed in false bottoms of the two suitcases, while the four suitcases contain a total of 17.6 kilograms of Loud and drug candies.
“Another member of the syndicate, Mrs Chiwendu Uche Ugbe whose South Africa-based husband, Aloytus Uche Ugbe sent some of the consignments, was traced to Anambra state where NDLEA officers arrested her on Saturday 27th April while attempting to collect the drug parcels sent to her by her husband.”
Babafemi added that two other suspects – Onyejakor Francis Chimezie and Naaji Valentine Chukwukere – with links to the cartel were also arrested in parts of Lagos on April 29.
He said their arrest led to another operation in Abia state where one Chinazo Osigwe was arrested when she was to pick up some parcels containing illicit drugs sent by her husband, Osigwe Chidiebere Anthony, who equally operates from South Africa.
The NDLEA spokesperson said two suspects – Aminu Umar and Anas Umar — were arrested in Kaduna with 207.1 kg of cannabis sativa in their house on April 29.
He also said operatives arrested one Suleiman Usman, a 51-year-old ex-convict, in Osun state.
He said the suspect is currently facing trial for another drug offence at the federal high court in Osogbo, the state capital.
“At the time of his latest arrest at Okinni town, Suleiman was found in possession of 4.4 grams of cocaine, 28.5kg of cannabis sativa, 20 tabs of rophynol weighing 6.2 grams and 812 pills of tramadol,” Babafemi said.
“The following day, Thursday 2nd May, NDLEA operatives at Agbara checkpoint, Seme border, Badagry Lagos intercepted a Toyota Camry car marked KJA 825 FT conveying 113 jumbo parcels of cannabis with a total weight of 64kg. The driver, Charles Amoni, 45, was promptly arrested.
“In Bauchi state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bauchi-Jos road arrested one Clement Chukwuka with 595 bottles of codeine; 38,260 pills of opioids such as tramadol, rohypnol and diazepam, while another suspect, Friday Ibochi was nabbed at NDLEA checkpoint, Aloma junction, Otukpa, Benue state on Tuesday 30th April with 66 blocks of cannabis weighing 33kg.
“Similarly, in Bayelsa, Ifeanyi Stanley was arrested with 12kg of the same substance at Swali Jetty, Yenagoa.”
Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, commended the officers for their outstanding feats in the past weeks.
Marwa encouraged them to intensify their war against drug abuse (WADA) advocacy across the country.
Celebrities
Helen Ukpabio demands N200bn damages in defamation suit against Bloody Civilian
Helen Ukpabio, the founder of Liberty Gospel Church, has demanded N200 billion in damages from the singer Bloody Civilian after the latter alleged that she encourages child lynching.
Earlier on Friday, Bloody Civilian, born Emoseh Khamofu, had alleged that Ukpabio “literally made people burn their children alive”.
Khamofu commented on a post celebrating the cleric’s 60th birthday.
She also posted a YouTube documentary wherein Ukpabio’s methods and ideology were criticised.
Reacting to her tweet, Imabong, Ukpabio’s daughter, threatened to take legal action against Khamofu if she didn’t delete the post.
“I give you the next five hours to take this down, or I will educate you in court!” Imabong wrote.
But in a letter from her legal representative, Ukpabio described the allegations as “reckless, satanic, and libellous”.
She demanded that the singer issue a retraction and public apology on all social media platforms and ten national and international dailies within 72 hours.
The cleric also requested that the singer pay N200 billion as “damages for distress, trauma, pain and anguish”.
The letter added that the demands must be met in 72 hours.
She claimed the allegations had been investigated by the police and have been concluded to be “grossly false”.
“Our client’s attention has been drawn to your reckless, satanic, and libellous posts on X (formerly Twitter), one of the world’s largest social media platforms,” the letter reads in part.
Responding to the letter, Blood Civilian made light of it by teasing that she is offering other services like comedy to afford the damages.
“This December I will be adding the following to my services: weddings, standup comedy and settling disputes,” she wrote.
Celebrities
Plantashun Boiz attempted reunions failed because I wasn’t invited, says Blackface
Blackface, the Nigerian dancehall singer, says Plantashun Boiz, a defunct music group, multiple attempts to reunite failed because he was not included.
Formed in 2000 with 2Baba and Faze, Plantashun Boiz disbanded in 2004 but briefly reunited in 2007 for an album.
In a recent episode of the ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask’ podcast, the host asked Blackface if there was any chance that the group might come back together.
The singer disclosed that his colleagues had attempted to reunite without him but were unsuccessful.
“Without me, they have tried and they have failed. Many times. You saw them in all those shows that they were going,” he said.
“They tried but they failed. But what I must say is I’m the plantation. So let it be known. Forget the fake memo that they spread before.”
In September, Blackface called for the reunion of the defunct music group.
He urged fans to join the mission, emphasising that “unity is strength, not division”.
“My people oya make una talk put mouth for this matter! We are on a mission for world peace and it’s not a small-time thing,” he said in pidgin English.
Since 2015, Blackface constantly tackled 2Baba for recording 2004 hit ‘African Queen’ which he claimed he wrote.
In 2017, he argued that 2Baba “sabotaged” his career in the music industry.
Celebrities
Despite feud, Peter Okoye celebrates Paul on 43rd birthday
Peter ‘Mr P’ Okoye, the Nigerian singer, has celebrated Paul ‘Rudeboy’ Okoye, his twin brother, on their 43rd birthday amid their ongoing feud.
The twin brothers have been in the public eyes since their second fallout in August.
They had their first rift in 2017 which led to the dissolution of Psquare, their music brand. Though they reunited in November 2021, their reconciliation was short-lived.
Paul recently revealed another fallout, accusing Peter of orchestrating his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Peter, however, denied the allegations and accused Jude Okoye, their older brother, of diverting millions of dollars from their joint account into a secret company.
Responding to the accusations, Jude said he had done everything possible, even “sacrificing himself,” to mend the rift between his brothers.
In an Instagram post on Monday, Peter shared several photos showcasing their growth over the years.
He also celebrated their birthday while wishing himself as well as his twin brother more wins.
-
Celebrities1 week ago
Daddy Freeze, Akah Nnani clash over Emmanuel Iren
-
Business1 week ago
Lagos state government to commence upgrade of major junctions in Ikeja axis, seeks residents’ cooperation
-
Politics1 week ago
DSS operatives arrest man with bags of cash during Ondo guber
-
Special Features3 days ago
Iyabo Ojo, Brainjotter, Dayo Oketola, Penzaarville, Tomiwa and others to speak at the Bodex Social Media Hangout 5.0
-
Health1 week ago
Five ways to rid your home of ants
-
News1 week ago
Alice Loksha, abducted UNICEF nurse, escapes captivity after 6 years
-
News1 week ago
Nnamdi Emeh: Suspect Facing Charges In Court, Process Independent Of Police Influence
-
Politics1 week ago
Aiyedatiwa takes commanding lead in Ondo guber poll after winning 15 of 18 LGAs