A chief magistrate court in Kaduna has ordered the remand of Shehu Mahdi, a public affairs and political commentator, in a correctional facility.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Madhi in Kaduna over the weekend after he posted inciting content, including a video online claiming that President Bola Tinubu granted France the approval to set up a military base in northern Nigeria.

The now-deleted post was uploaded on December 14 and accompanied by a video of a Nigerian Army officer speaking Hausa while the background showed a foreign soldier.

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), and Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, have since debunked the claims as baseless.

Findings by CableCheck revealed that the claim that the French military has been deployed in Maiduguri, Borno state capital, to establish a military base in Nigeria is false.

At the court session on Tuesday, the DSS arraigned Mahdi before Abubakar Lamido, the presiding magistrate, on a two-count charge of conspiracy, aiding, and abetting terrorism.

The offences are said to be contrary to section 26(2)(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022, and inciting public disturbances is contrary to section 78 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna state, 2017.

“In his ruling, Magistrate Lamido held that Mahdi remains in a correctional facility in Kaduna until January 14, 2025, for further hearing on the matter,” a statement by DSS said.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted two boats loaded with 1,960 kilograms of cannabis in Lagos state.

A statement on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the boats were blocked at the Eleko beach in Lekki area of the state.

He said six foreign nationals were detained in connection to the shipment, which was allegedly brought in from Ghana.

Babafemi said the suspects include two Ghanaians and four Beninese.

“Operatives of the Marine Command of NDLEA at 2:30 am on Christmas eve, Tuesday, December 24, intercepted two boats loaded with 1,960 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis at the Eleko beach in Lekki area of Lagos,” the statement reads.

“Six foreign nationals who brought the consignments from Ghana were arrested during the operation. They include two Ghanaians: Godsway John, 38; and Freedom Kelvin, 33; as well as four Beninese: Chegoun Hounsou, 23; Gadabor Nyameto, 47; Adantg Sasa, 34; and Ayao Kayivi, 21.”

Babafemi said operatives of the agency also arrested a 48-year-old businessman identified as Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur for allegedly ingesting 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine while attempting to board a Paris-bound flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

He said Orizu was arrested at the boarding gate of the Abuja airport last Sunday during the outward clearance of passengers on Air France.

“When he was pulled aside for a body scan, he turned down the request, claiming his medical condition won’t allow him,” the statement added.

“He was thereafter taken into custody for excretion observation during which he excreted a total of 74 wraps of the Class A drugs over a period of seven days.”

Orizu, a shop owner at Balogun Market in Lagos, reportedly said he was promised €3,000 for successfully delivering the goods to Paris.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano state command, has arrested 34 suspects with different quantities of illicit substances.

Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, the state NDLEA commander, said the arrest was made to ensure a safe and drug-free Kano during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“On December 24, the agency dislodged several notorious drug joints across the state. These drug dens are located in Fagge Area, Sani Abacha Stadium, Danagundi, and the historically infamous Filin Idi drug den,” he said.

Idris-Baba said the command recovered substantial amounts of illicit substances such as cannabis sativa, suck and die, and Exol-5, among others.

Other recovered items include arms allegedly used by drug peddlers to pursue and attack officers.

“The drug users will receive the necessary counseling and support to aid their recovery,” he said.

The commander said the seizures reflect the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks and curbing the availability of harmful substances within the state during the festive season.

He said those found culpable would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

The commander reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to safeguarding the health and safety of all Kano residents.

“We will continue to eradicate the menace of drug abuse from the streets of Kano and promote awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, as community cooperation is essential in this fight against drug-related issues,” he added.