The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 8,725 kilogrammes of tramadol powder worth more than ₦6.98 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos and arrested a female passenger allegedly attempting to smuggle cannabis to Saudi Arabia.

The passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, was arrested on Friday, October 16, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah via Addis Ababa at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State.

The agency said operatives found 511.75 grammes of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil she was carrying.

According to the NDLEA, Ahmad told officers that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, had given her the gallon. Yahaya was subsequently arrested at the airport car park.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrests and seizures in a statement on Sunday, detailing a series of anti-drug operations across several states.

At the Apapa Port, NDLEA operatives, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies, uncovered the tramadol shipment on October 2 during an examination of cargo declared as maize starch.

A confirmatory test at the agency’s forensic laboratory identified the substance as tramadol hydrochloride powder. When separated from its concealment on October 14, the shipment comprised 349 bags with a gross weight of 8,725 kilogrammes, valued at more than ₦6.98 billion.

At the Tin Can Port, also in Lagos, officers discovered 55 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, valued at ₦165 million, hidden in a Toyota Sienna vehicle inside a 40-foot container on October 12.

The agency also reported the arrest of Elizabeth Chidera Kalu at Idumota Market on October 14, with 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly recovered from her store.

In separate operations in Mushin, two men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, were arrested on October 15 with 59.95 kilogrammes and 61.23 kilogrammes of skunk, respectively.

Another operation along Iyana Oba led to the interception of a truck allegedly carrying illicit drugs from Trade Fair Market. The NDLEA said 18,000 pills of tramadol 250mg were found in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide. The suspects arrested were identified as Tajudeen Adeduntan, a loading manager, and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru.

In Edo State, six suspects were arrested during raids in Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East Local Government Area between October 15 and 16.

Those arrested included 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, who was allegedly found with 179 kilogrammes of skunk, and Ayo Aigberadion, 53, with 220.8 kilogrammes. Other suspects were allegedly found with varying quantities of cannabis and other substances, including tramadol, Swinol and diazepam.

In Ondo State, the agency said operatives raided a cannabis farm in Okemoro Isinbode camp forest on October 17, destroying 7,500 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated on three hectares of land and arresting five suspects.

The operation also yielded 92 bags of skunk weighing 1,267 kilogrammes, 11 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and three kilogrammes of fresh stems, bringing the total weight of the recovered exhibits to 1,281 kilogrammes.

In another operation in Owo, officers tracked 53-year-old Okunebe Ndidi to a hideout in Ameyinti on October 16 and recovered 25 bags of cannabis weighing 375 kilogrammes.

In Bauchi State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Volkswagen Golf wagon at Ragwam village in Katagum Local Government Area on October 14, recovering 894,800 tramadol capsules and Exol-5 tablets from Shamsu Garba, 35.

The agency also said officers on patrol along the Bauchi-Gombe road recovered 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265 kilogrammes from an abandoned vehicle at Tudun Natsira village. (Channels TV)

Alhaji Ibrahim Ladan Duguri, the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Health Contributory Management Agency (BASHCMA), has lost his life alongside those of four of his children in an accident at Yalwan Duguri in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the State.

Governor Bala Mohammed, who confirmed the tragedy, expressed profound sorrow and deep grief.

The governor described the death of Alhaji Ibrahim Ladan Duguri as a monumental loss to Bauchi, particularly the health sector, “where he distinguished himself through dedication, commitment, and an unwavering passion for improving access to healthcare services for the people”.

In his condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, the governor equally saddened by the tragic circumstances surrounding the incident and extends his heartfelt sympathy to the immediate family of the deceased, the Duguri Emirate Council, friends, associates, colleagues, and the entire people of Bauchi over the loss.

He also prayed for the full recovery, strength, and comfort of Suleiman, one the deceased’s son who reportedly survived the accident .

Mohammed said, “As Executive Secretary of BASHCMA, the deceased played an important role in advancing the state’s health contributory management system and supporting efforts to make healthcare more accessible to the people, especially the less privileged. His dedication was also evident in his contributions to the state’s medical team during pilgrimage exercises in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where his commitment to the health and well-being of pilgrims was widely valued.

“Beyond his professional accomplishments, Alhaji Ibrahim Ladan Duguri was a close personal friend, and classmate of Governor Bala Mohammed. His death, therefore, represents not only the loss of a valued public servant but also the painful departure of a beloved family member and trusted companion whose life was marked by service, loyalty, and dedication to humanity.”

He acknowledged that no words can adequately express the pain and anguish of the bereaved family at this difficult moment.

Mohammed prayed that Almighty Allah, in His infinite Mercy, would forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, accept their good deeds, and grant Alhaji Ibrahim Ladan Duguri and his beloved children eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus.

The governor called on all well-meaning citizens of Bauchi to remember the bereaved family in their prayers and to offer them the necessary compassion, and solidarity during this moment of profound grief.

The funeral prayer for the deceased will be conducted at the palace of the District Head of Yalwan Duguri by 11:00am, on Sunday.

A Catholic priest has died after a crucifix fell on him while he was celebrating Mass in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The priest, identified as Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, was conducting the service on Saturday when the incident occurred.

The ceremony was being streamed live, with footage of the incident later circulating widely on social media.

Videos showed Molinari addressing worshippers inside the church before the crucifix fell on him, disrupting the religious service.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death in a statement published on its social media platforms on Sunday.

The archdiocese said Molinari served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the Central Vicariate.

“We announce that our beloved Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, CSsR., who served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the Central Vicariate, has departed for the Father’s House to rejoice in His presence and glory,” the statement read.

The archdiocese prayed for the repose of his soul, saying, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”