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Customs intercepts container loaded with guns destined for South-East
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced on Monday that its officers had intercepted container loads of guns at Ports & Terminal Multi-Services Ltd (PTML) and Tin-Can Island Ports, which were destined for the South-East region of the country.
Speaking to the media in Lagos on Monday, the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, stated that the discovery was made during a joint inspection exercise involving Customs, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security (DSS), and the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration (NDLEA).
According to the Acting CG of Customs, “Ladies and gentlemen of the media, since assuming the role of Acting Comptroller General, our dedicated officers and men have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their responsibilities.
“Their diligence and perseverance have been the cornerstone of our operations. Our actions within the NCS have been driven by a deep sense of purpose and guided by the mantra of renewed hope, which underpins the current administration’s vision.
“We recognize the significance of our role in contributing to the overall objectives of the President Tinubu led Administration, as articulated in the Road Map of the Policy Advisory Council document. \
“The declaration of a state of emergency in revenue generation and national security has further aligned our activities with the government’s overarching goals.
“Pursuant to this commitment, I stand before you today to highlight the recent achievements of the NCS in our ongoing efforts to suppress smuggling and safeguard national security. Some of our dedicated and diligent officers uncovered some smuggled arms and ammunition while on duty at various Commands and formations.
“On the 5th of July 2023, during a joint operation with the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security, the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration, and the Customs Intelligence Unit at the Ports Terminal and Multi Services Limited (PTML) Command, a thorough physical examination of a 40ft container was conducted.
“The examination revealed the concealment of 10 dangerous arms and various rounds of live ammunition inside plastic drums. “The details are 3 new Pump Action rifles and one new unit of an armed rifle; six new different makes of pistols; One new millennium G2 pistol; One new Sarsilmaz SAR-9X pistol; One new Lugger Security-9 pistol; One new Taurus Banbridge G3C pistol; One new SCCY CPX-2 pistol, One new Taurus (63 pistol); 14 empty magazines; and 442 rounds of live ammunition.
“The clearing agent, Mr Shokunbi Olanrewaju of Shooler Global International Ltd, and Mr Joseph Nwadiodor, who was expected to take delivery of the container, are currently detained as suspects in connection with the seizure.
“Similarly, within the same period, the Tin-Can Island Port Command of the Service, while acting on credible intelligence, subjected a 1by40ft container to 100 per cent physical examination with the relevant security agencies at the ports.
“The physical examination uncovered 18 arms, packets of cartridges, and rounds of live ammunition inside plastic drums. “The details are: Two Sar9 Sarsilmarz Pistols; One Ruger American Pistol And three Taurus G3c – Bainbridge Pistols). “Five Rz17hd Rifles; One Gamo Rifle; Five Pump Action Rifles; one Rz17 Tactical Rifle; 10 packets of cartridges; two packets of 9mm ammunition; 100 rounds of 9mm Winchester ammunition; one carton of Frontier cartridges; and two packets of Buckshot ammunition.
“Again, during a routine patrol along Owode/Ajilete Axis of Ogun State by officers of the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2, on Wednesday 12 July 2023, an unregistered Toyota Camry loaded with six sacks of charcoal, which was used to conceal three pump action rifles with 174 live cartridges. The driver of the vehicle, who knew the content he was conveying vis-a-vis the attendant consequences of his action before the law, jumped into the bush and escaped arrest.
“In summary, a total of 31 rifles were intercepted within the first two weeks of July 2023. Investigation into the seizures is inconclusive. The outcome of our investigations together with the seizures will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
“Illicit arms obtained by non-state actors have boosted the proliferation of small arms and ammunition across the country. This accounts for the increase in violent kidnappings, robberies, and mass killings in society.
“Let me state at this point that the Service has re-strategized its operations, while our officers have raised their levels of professionalism, and have keyed into the mantra of renewed hope aimed at facilitating legitimate trade.
“In doing this, we are assuring all compliant traders and importers that they have nothing to fear. “We have re-injected new tactics to tackle the economic and security menace caused by recalcitrant importers and their agents.
The Service’s human resources and logistics are collectively harnessed to combat and prevent economic sabotage. “I implore importers and agents to be patriotic by making sincere declarations and to be properly guided by the import/export prohibition lists.
I also urged the public to see security as a collective responsibility. We will appreciate information on illegal importation and cross-border movement of dangerous weapons used to create mayhem in our nation.” (Tribune)
A 55-year-old driver escaped injury after a train rammed into his Honda car at the PWD railway crossing in Lagos.
The accident involved a train heading towards Agege and a Honda car with registrationi number EKY 902 JT, which sustained extensive damage.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said its officials, alongside security personnel, rescued the motorist and cleared the damaged vehicle from the tracks, enabling the train to continue its journey.
Despite the clearance, traffic congestion remained around the PWD area after the incident.
LASTMA said the wrecked vehicle was handed over to security personnel to facilitate an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised the officials and security personnel for their swift response, noting that their joint efforts highlighted the need for effective collaboration during emergencies involving railway lines and adjoining roads.
He advised motorists to be vigilant when approaching railway crossings and areas designated for train movement.
Bakare-Oki cautioned drivers against crossing railway tracks when a train was approaching or in motion, warning that “reckless disregard for railway safety protocols could precipitate devastating and irreversible consequences”.
LASTMA also urged road users to obey traffic rules and railway safety guidelines.
The agency emphasised that “the preservation of human life must remain paramount in all road-use decisions”, adding that responsible driving and compliance with safety instructions were essential to preventing avoidable accidents.
Recall that in March, the Nigerian Railway Corporation announced that 26 passengers and crew members sustained varying degrees of injuries following a train incident along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor on Monday.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, said the incident occurred near Asham Station when a loud bang was heard as part of the train formation collided.
He said the Kaduna–Abuja service (KA-2) departed Rigassa Station at 7:15 a.m. and arrived at Jere Station one minute ahead of schedule at 8:52 a.m.
News
Ihejirika lauds Mbah’s infrastructure drive as Coal City University inaugurates Governing Council
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.), has commended Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his infrastructural development efforts across the state.
Ihejirika gave the commendation in a special message to Governor Mbah during the inauguration of the Governing Council of Coal City University, Enugu, held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The former Army Chief’s commendation came as the university formally inaugurated its new Governing Council, with its chairman pledging to provide strategic leadership aimed at strengthening academic excellence, good governance and sustainable growth.
In his inaugural address, the Chairman of the Governing Council described his appointment as both an honour and a major responsibility, saying the council had been entrusted with the future of an institution impacting thousands of young people.
He commended the Chancellor and Proprietor of the university, Sir Chinedu Ani, for his vision, determination and personal commitment to establishing and developing Coal City University.
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According to him, building a university requires enormous resources, infrastructure, courage and perseverance, stressing that universities remain critical to nation-building because they prepare young people for employment, responsible citizenship and leadership.
The council chairman said the new Governing Council would work closely with the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and management to ensure that the university remained faithful to its founding vision.
He identified five major principles that would guide the council: academic excellence; good governance and accountability; student development; institutional growth and sustainability; and preservation of institutional values and integrity.
He said the university would support initiatives aimed at strengthening teaching, research, innovation and scholarship, while promoting transparency, prudent management of resources and adherence to regulatory standards.
On student development, he stressed the need to produce graduates who combine intellectual excellence with discipline, integrity, entrepreneurship, creativity, leadership and respect for human dignity.
The chairman also noted that the higher education sector was changing rapidly due to technology, artificial intelligence, evolving workplace demands, research and innovation.
He therefore called for stronger partnerships, international outlook, research capacity, infrastructure development and financial sustainability to enable Coal City University to anticipate and respond effectively to emerging challenges.
He further warned that the reputation of the university would depend not only on its physical infrastructure but also on the integrity, professionalism, fairness and accountability of members of its community.
The council chairman assured the university’s management of the council’s support while emphasising that the governing body would respect the distinction between governance and administration.
He charged the Vice-Chancellor and principal officers to maintain high standards of excellence, transparency and accountability, while commending members of staff for their contributions to the development of the institution.
He also urged students to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the university, pursue knowledge with seriousness and cultivate discipline and integrity.
He said the long-term ambition should be for Coal City University to gain recognition for the quality of its graduates, relevance of its research, integrity of its leadership and positive contribution to society.
The chairman expressed appreciation to the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor for the confidence reposed in the newly inaugurated council and prayed for wisdom and courage for its members.
The event was attended by the Chancellor and Proprietor of Coal City University, Sir Chinedu Ani; the Vice-Chancellor; members of the Board of Trustees; principal officers; members of the newly inaugurated Governing Council; university staff and other distinguished guests.
The event ended with prayers for the continued growth of Coal City University, the development of Enugu State and the progress of Nigeria.
Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, made the call at the GOCOP Conference held on Thursday at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities.”
He said that while the Electoral Act gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) authority to announce election results at different levels, Section 39 of the Constitution gives the press the right to obtain and disseminate information.
Agbakoba urged GOCOP and the wider media community to seek judicial clarification on the matter, drawing a comparison with recent legal action by some American media organisations over access to the White House.
“Media will not be gagged. The Rule of Law won in the US case, so test it in Nigeria.”
He also pointed to exit polls and the media’s role in reporting the choices made by voters, arguing that the media should be able to report election-related information within the limits of the law.
Agbakoba said every Nigerian should regard himself or herself as a shareholder in “Nigeria PLC”, with the 2027 general elections serving as an annual general meeting in which citizens would assess the direction of the country.
He also said economic hardship was likely to be a major issue in the 2027 elections, citing the sharp increase in the cost of essential medicines as an example of the pressure facing Nigerians.
In his welcome address, GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, mni, said the conference came at an important time as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Nmodu said the theme reflected GOCOP’s contribution to democratic development and the need for trust in institutions, transparency in the electoral process and shared responsibility for credible elections.
“As the country moves towards another general election, there is a need for trust in institutions, transparency in the electoral process, and a clear understanding that responsibility for credible elections does not belong to one institution or one group alone.”
He said journalists had a responsibility to scrutinise both the government and the opposition and to report facts fairly and accurately.
“We must report facts and be fair and balanced. Credible journalism is one of the ways we can contribute to a healthy democratic process.
“I also call on government to do more to tackle insecurity, enhance peace, and support economic activity. Better security will give our people greater opportunity to work, invest, and improve their lives.”
In a goodwill message, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, urged the media to remain objective and focused on facts in its coverage of the electoral process.
He said the media had an important role to play in informing Nigerians about the conduct of elections and used the opportunity to highlight the achievements of his administration in Imo State, including its plans to develop the state as a digital and industrialised economy.
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