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), 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.

At least 14 Nigerians have been declared wanted by the international criminal police organisation (Interpol) for alleged human and drug trafficking, robbery, cheating, and forgery.

Red Notices published on the Interpol website stated that the suspects are wanted by various countries.

The individuals named in the notices include Felix Omoregie, Jessica Edosomwan, Uche Egbue, Jude Uzoma, Chinedu Ezeunara, Benedict Okoro, Ikechukwu Obidiozor, and Alachi Stanley.

Others are Bouhari Salif, Timloh Nkem, Austine Costa, Okromi Festus, Akachi Vitus, and Mary Eze.

Belgian authorities have issued a notice for Omoregie, accusing him of leading a criminal organisation involved in exploiting minors for prostitution.

“Family name: Omoregie, Forename: Felix, Gender: Male, Date of birth: 22/10/1977 (47 years old), Nationality: Nigeria,” the notice reads.

“Charges published as provided by requesting entity: Sexual exploitation or exploitation of prostitution of minors over 16 years of age; Sexual exploitation or exploitation of prostitution of another person/Leader of a criminal organisation/Human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation.”

French authorities issued a notice for Edosomwan, accusing her of trafficking multiple victims in an organised operation and concealing proceeds of the crime.

The notice stated that Egbue is wanted in Argentina for drug trafficking, while Uzoma is sought by Brazil for similar charges.

Ezeunara is wanted by Uruguay for alleged drug trafficking, and Okoro is being pursued by Nicaragua for alleged organised crime.

Obidiozor, Vitus, and Stanley are wanted by Angola for alleged kidnapping, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.

Notices also indicated that Eze is wanted in Denmark for alleged human trafficking, Salif in China for alleged drug smuggling, and Nkem in Canada for alleged sexual assault and failure to comply with conditions of recognisance.

Costa is sought by Indian authorities for alleged criminal conspiracy, forgery, and possession of forged documents.

Okromi is also wanted by India for alleged conspiracy and cheating.

Interpol explained that Red Notices serve to alert the public and law enforcement about wanted persons in order to help locate them.

“A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant,” the organisation stated.

“The individuals are wanted by the requesting member country or international tribunal. Member countries apply their laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.”

Interpol urged the public to report any information about the wanted persons to their local police authorities.