Lagos elders seek unemployment benefits for youths

 

The Lagos State Council of Elders has called on the government to consider payment of benefits to unemployed youths.

The council’s Chairman, Mr Tajudeen Olusi, made the call at the 8th Town Hall Meeting held in Eti-Osa Constituency on Thursday in Lagos.

The meeting was part of the Lagos State House of Assembly Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting which held simultaneously in all the constituencies of the state.

It had as its theme, “Post COVID-19 Pandemic: The Challenges and Prospects”.

Olusi said: “In Britain for instance, the government gives allowances to those who do not have job, and when such people finally get employment, the government stops the allowances.

“In Nigeria, we should sit down and think of the possibility of having that system where the unemployed can be given allowances.

“It will require that all unemployed people should be registered; this will also help government in their planning to know the number of unemployed people in all local governments.

“With determination and devotion, we shall overcome.”

Olusi also called on every Nigerian, including those in leadership positions, to unite in the fight against corruption.

According to him, such commitment will begin with the individual.

“Corruption is in every aspect of our lives; let us come together and vow. Let us start from bribery.

“If every Nigeria vows not to offer bribes to anybody, including the policeman, bankers, among others, we will reduce the issue of corruption drastically,” Olusi said.

In his remarks, a resident of Eti-Osa, Mr Olusegun Awonusi, commended the efforts of the lawmaker representing the Constituency, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu, for meeting the needs of the people in his constituency.

“Yishawu has done so much for the community by putting smiles on faces of the widows, aged, middle-class and less-privileged.

“He has been an extraordinary leader, but due to the pandemic, things have been slow.

“He is a youth and understands what youths in the society are fighting for, which is something good and he keeps saying to the youths, ‘Let us do the right things,” Awonusi said.

- PM NEWS

Lagos lawmaker on #EndSARS: Most Nigerian youths are always high on drugs

 

Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, the lawmaker representing Amuwo Odofin constituency 1 at the Lagos state house of assembly, says most Nigerian youths are always high on drugs.

The lawmaker was speaking at a recent plenary session in the wake of looting of properties by hoodlums and other attendant crisis trailing the #EndSARS protests across the country.

Alli-Macaulay said there is an urgent need for the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to start orienting the youths and engage them meaningfully.

The lawmaker decried the level of social media misuse among Nigerian youths, adding that such informs her decision to regulate her children’s usage of the platform.

“The National Orientation Agency needs to get to work. We need to begin to orientate our young people. They need people who can talk to them from time to time,” she said.

“They are high on drugs all the time, most of them. They go to social media and say all sorts of things. I’m even scared to give my young children phones because I am scared of what they may see on social media. It is that bad.”

The lawmaker also condemned the looting of properties by hoodlums across the country, explaining that unemployment cannot be a justification for such actions.

“I schooled in the UK and I saw a lot of young people who were not employed but they didn’t become hoodlums. Why can’t we look inwards and look for solutions to our problems?” she added.

Her comment comes after Desmond Elliot, a Nigerian movie star cum politician, also advocated regulation of the social media, saying there would be no Nigeria in five years if the vices of social media are not tackled.

- THECABLE

Lagos: Man insists on return of lover pregnant for friend

There was a mild drama in Lagos as a man insisted that his girlfriend, now pregnant for a friend he accommodated, come back to him.

The incident occured Thursday night near Ikota Shopping Complex.

Eyewitnesses told DAILY POST that the jilted lover boy caused a scene that attracted security operatives.

The unidentified citizen, who resides in Obalende, narrated the matter as a crowd surrounded both parties.

In his recount, the man said earlier in the year, he provided shelter to his friend.

The complaint recalled that the pal discussed his situation and urgently needed a place to stay.

Soon after ease of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, his girlfriend also needed accommodation and joined them.

The man disclosed that he was always out for work most part of weekdays.

Admitting that he introduced the lady to the friend as his sister, he said the duo moved out of his place without notification.

The man said he was worried and tried all he could to reach them to no avail.

It was later he discovered that the friend had impregnated his sweetheart hence their decision to flee.

The man said he finally traced the new couple to an area close to Thomas Estate in Ajah. However, despite the lady’s condition, the lover boy wants her back.

Speaking, the friend stated that the complainant should be blamed for hiding his relationship.

“It’s not my fault, you told me she’s your sister. Am I lying?”, he was quoted as saying.

It was gathered that the lady, in her twenties, remained quiet while the argument lasted.

While some blamed her for sleeping with the friend even while in an affair with their host, others told the man to take responsibility and accept his fate.

Still, he vowed not to leave without her and was losing control.

His violent behaviour was suppressed by security personnel.

They then dispersed everyone as the 8pm curfew approached.

- DAILY POST

Police Commissioner asks IPOB members to leave Rivers

 Rivers Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, has warned members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to relocate from the State or risk the embarrassment of being treated as terrorists when apprehended.

Mukan said this in a statement on Thursday while declaring war against miscreants who attacked and looted public and private properties and burnt police stations in the state in the guise of #EndSARS protests recently.

The statement indicated that the police commissioner gave the warning after meeting with the Divisional Police Officers and head of departments of the tactical units in the command.

He also ordered the deployment of both intelligence and patrols teams across the command to ensure that looted items were recovered and the perpetrators arrested with immediate effect.

The statement reads thus: “The CP further warns members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra to relocate from the, state as machineries have been put in place to fish them out and deal with them as a terrorist group.

“Again, the CP, for the umpteenth time, wishes to reiterate emphatically that Rivers State is not an IPOB state and will deal decisively with any group that carries out activities under that guise or any guise whatsoever.

“IPOB has been outlawed by both the federal and state governments and to that extent it is non-existent anywhere else, including Rivers State.”

The CP, however, urged parents and guardians in the state to caution their children and wards to be law-abiding or face the full wrath of the law.

Meanwhile,  joint patrol by the Army and Police have continued Oyigbo where residents have been trapped indoors with mass arrests sporadic shootings.

The operation is sequel to alleged attack carried out by suspected members of IPOB  in which some police officers and soldiers were killed.

- PM NEWS

REVEALED: UK govt trained SARS operatives for four years

 

The United Kingdom government trained the operatives of the disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) for four years, according to a top government official in Britain.

In a letter dated October 29, 2020, James Duddridge, UK minister for Africa, said the former operatives of SARS participated in a training “designed to improve human rights.”

The letter was addressed to Kate Osamor, a member of the UK parliament, who shared a copy via her Twitter handle.

Osamor had written the minister to confirm reported links the UK government had with SARS following a nationwide protest against the police unit over alleged abuse of human rights.

The protests were the peak of years-long agitation against the anti-robbery squad accused of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests and, in some cases, extrajudicial killings.

In the letter, Duddridge said the training programme ended in March 2020, adding that the UK remains committed to the respect for human rights in Nigeria.

The letter read: “Through our CSSF-funded Nigeria Policing Programme, which ended in March 2020, FSARS officers participated in training on amended Nigerian police guidance designed to improve human rights, training on public finance and community policing workshops.

“This was in support of our wider objectives to strengthen the capacity, accountability and responsiveness of the Nigerian Police Force.

“The Nigeria Policing Programme was part of our Society and Justice Reform Programme, which is working to help deliver a criminal justice system that better protects the human rights of all Nigerians.”

The UK minister cited the community-policing framework and improved relations with communities as some of the positive outcomes of the program

Osamor described the revelation by the minister as shocking and sought further clarification.

“Either the Government deliberately funded SARS units when they were known to have committed extra-judicial killings or it had no idea where that funding was going,” she wrote via her Twitter handle.

During the #EndSARS protests, Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, had called for accountability over alleged human rights violations reported against the anti-robbery squad.

- THECABLE

ASUU reveals why strike has not ended

 The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has blamed the Federal Government for frustrating efforts to resolve issues that resulted in the ongoing strike embarked upon by the lecturers.

ASUU National President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, stated this on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television.

Ogunyemi claimed that the Federal Government has refused to take the necessary steps in addressing the strike action.

According to him, the delay in adopting ASUU’s preferred platform, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, is one of the major reasons the strike has not been suspended.

He said, “The strike is still on as a result of the FG not taking the necessary steps. We gave them two weeks to address our five points demands.

“We engaged the government but they were not forthcoming. They had a whole year to address those issues. They gave us positions that were not acceptable to our members.

“During our first meeting, we thought they were almost resolving the issues.

“What compounded the problem is the issue of IPPIS. We have said that it is a distraction. There is no university in the world that uses IPPIS.

“We have done three presentations of UTAS to the Minister of Education and his team, the leadership of the Senate and Office of the Accountant-General. They only agreed that UTAS is accepted in principles.

“We are almost getting UTAS approved but the government is saying that our members should first migrate to IPPIS before returning to UTAS. That makes no economic sense. The government has made it difficult for smooth negotiation. They said our members will be paid when they move to IPPIS.”

- DAILY POST

Arsonist attack: Over 250 production staff out of work – TVC’s CEO Hanlon

 Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Television Continental (TVC), Andrew Hanlon on Thursday said more than 250 production staff working in the building razed by arsonists, have been out of work since the incident occurred.

He spoke when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his team, among which included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, paid condolence visit to management of the burnt station.

Hanlon took the governor round the main auditorium, which was the hub of the TV station’s operation. It was completely razed.

The auditorium housed three main studios, three control rooms, three master control rooms and central transmission laboratory said to have been equipped with the modern communication gadgets worth millions of dollars.

All left in the building were charred materials.

The TV station boss also added that over 500 direct employees of the station had been struggling to work in temporary accommodation put up by the company.

Hanlon said: “After the rioters invaded our premises and set the place on fire, some buildings in the premises survived. But the main transmission building is completely destroyed and it was the hub of our operations. The rioters cast fear and terror in the hearts of our employees when they broke in last week’s Wednesday morning.

“People’s hard work and huge investment that went down into the TV station were destroyed in a period of about an hour. The incident was really traumatising for all of us. The rioters left immense devastation. The entire interior of the building was destroyed. This is all that is left of our bubbling building, which was a centrepiece. Thankfully, no member of staff died in the incident.”

Hanlon said the immediate priority before the management of the TV station was to ensure that all direct employees were looked after, stressing that the means of livelihood of thousands of indirect workers attached to the brand had been threatened.

He said efforts were being taken to return TVC back to its full operations, promising that the station would bounce back stronger than it was.

The Governor was also shown a wreck of burnt vehicles belonging to the station and employees.

- PM NEWS

AUTHORITY LOOTER Vs CITIZEN LOOTER ! #EndSARS: Adamawa threatens to demolish houses of palliative looters

 

Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, has given all those who looted COVID-19 relief items in the state 12 hours to return them.

In a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday, Fintiri threatened to demolish any building that houses the stolen items.

On Sunday, a mob hit a warehouse in Yola, the state capital, carting away food items such as spaghetti, groundnut oil and cartons of noodles.

The warehouse is located on Kwana-Waya road on the outskirts of Yola.

However, the governor said the looters have up till 6am on Wednesday to return these items or he would order a house-to-house search.

“This ultimatum will expire at 6am on Wednesday, 28th October, 2020, after which I will sign an executive order for a house-to-house search to commence by 7am of the same day,” he said.

“Part of the provision of the order is a sanction that will attract withdrawal of C-of-O and if necessary, demolition of every house that harbours any of the stolen properties.

“Law-abiding citizens should cooperate with the security agencies to ensure this is enforced.”

Meanwhile, Sadiq Umar-Daware, chairman of the North East Commodity Associations (NECAS), said a mob that attacked its warehouse in Adamawa and looted 110 tractors, farm implements, foodstuffs, office equipment and documents meant to be distributed to farmers for the planting season.

Umar-Delaware disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Tuesday, adding that warehouses of affiliate associations such as the Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN) and Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria (MFAN) were also looted.

“They not only took tonnes of produce, they also made away with the farm inputs for the dry season farming and the offices of Rice Farmers Association, Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria (MFAN) and the NECAS were also looted and vandalised,” he said.

“Files for various programmes were destroyed and they made away with various documents.

“What they took away include tonnes of rice, beans, maize, sorghum, millet, computers, tables, chairs, water dispenser and cash.”

Speaking on why NECAS has many tractors  in its possession, Umar-Daware said it was to provide leasing and mechanisation service for farmers.

He, however, urged Adamawa residents to be on the lookout for anybody in possession of the tractors and report to NECAS, RIFAN and MFAN officials for recovery and necessary action.

There have been massive looting across the country in the aftermath of the demonstrations against police brutality.

- THECABLE

Fagba ethnic clash: Sanwo-Olu assures of compensation, warns miscreants

 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the government will not tolerate violence.

He gave the warning during a visit to Fagba in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area.

Last week, days of clashes caused a number of casualties and destruction of property.

The crisis which broke out in the aftermath of the End SARS protests took an ethnic dimension.

Sanwo-Olu described the level of damage as colossal and unfortunate.

The governor assured that enumeration would start immediately.

He said the two local councils (Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro) affected by the mayhem will collaborate and draw up a list of victims and their losses.

Sanwo-Olu gave troublemakers “final notice”, disclosing that security in affected areas would be heightened.

“We are coming to clear this whole place, and we will make sure that you do not disturb or harass the peace-loving people that we have in this neighborhood. We have Hausa community, Igbo community and Yoruba community, and they are living well.

“You need to look for what to do. We will not allow you to come and tarnish the image and the peace in Fagba and in Lagos. We will come and see what we can do to help the youth. Once we do that, we’d have given you an opportunity to remain law-abiding and peaceful. If not, we will be hard.

“Please let peace reign. Let us live like brothers and sisters in Lagos. We will do the compensation as soon as we get the breakdown of the enumeration. We might not be able to give you all the full benefits, but we will ensure that we do not leave you alone.

“Please let’s be sincere about it. If you don’t have more than two shops in this place, don’t say you have eight. If you don’t have more than two rooms, don’t say you have nine rooms. That is the only way government can assist well, and we can help,” the governor added.

- DAILY POST

Pickford hires bodyguards after death threats over Van Dijk tackle

 

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford reportedly has hired bodyguards as a form of protection for him and his family.

This is after the England’s star received a number of death threats following his season-ending challenge on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool fans are said to be more angry because Pickford was not sanctioned by the referee after the tackle. He has received a number of death threats afterward on social media.

The former Sunderland star asked a specialist security firm to look out for his family and guards were seen outside his home last week.

He has also been advised to stay off all forms of social media, so as not to reveal his whereabouts, which could encourage spontaneous attacks.

- PM NEWS

Niger, Benin Republic pay Nigeria $6.6m out of $13m electricity debt

 

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says two international customers have paid Nigeria $6.6 million out of the $13 million debt owed for electricity supply.

Under an international treaty, Nigeria sells electricity to neighbouring countries like Benin Republic, Togo and Niger.

According to the regulator’s 2020 first-quarter report, Niger and Benin Republic paid $5.27 million and $1.39 million, respectively, out of $13.22 million on the invoice issued to them for electricity supply from January to March.

“The financial viability and commercial performance of the industry continued to be a major challenge with a decline in the first quarter of 2020,” the NERC said.

“During the quarter under review, the total billing to and collection from electricity consumers by all the 11 DisCos stood at ₦186.82billion and ₦114.29billion respectively. These denote 78.38% and 61.18% billing and collection efficiency respectively, indicating 4.21% and 8.26% points decreases respectively when compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.

“The level of collection efficiency during the quarter under review indicates that as much as ₦3.88 out of every ₦10 worth of energy sold during the first quarter of 2020 remained uncollected from consumers.

“During the quarter under review, the special customers (Ajaokuta Steel Co. Ltd and its environs) did not make any payment in respect of the ₦0.27billion and ₦0.05billion invoices issued by NBET and MO respectively.

“A total of ₦4.05billion (US$13.22million) invoices were issued by MO to international customers (i.e., Societe Nigerienne d’electricite – NIGELEC, Societe Beninoise d’Energie Electrique – SBEE, and Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo – CEET).

“During the quarter, NIGELEC made a payment of ₦1.61billion (US$5.27million) as part of its outstanding bills for the energy received from NBET and services rendered by MO. Similarly, SBEE paid ₦0.43bilion (US$1.39million) in respect of services received from MO.”

In June, the NERC said the international customers owed Nigeria N32.8 billion in electricity bills.

- THECABLE

It is going to be a difficult season for Real Madrid – Zidane

 

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has admitted it will be a difficult season for his team.

Zidane was speaking after Casemiro’s 93rd-minute goal ensured they drew 2-2 with Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Marcus Thuram’s brace gave hosts Gladbach the lead at Borussia-Park but late strikes from Karim Benzema and Casemiro saw Madrid avoid a record fourth consecutive European defeat.

The result leaves Los Blancos with one win, one draw and two defeats from their last four fixtures in all competitions.

“We didn’t transform the possession we enjoyed into proper chances.

“What I’ll take from this experience is how these players reacted. This was a very important point to secure.

“This is going to be a difficult year for everyone, but I’m proud of my team tonight. Playing like this we’ll go through the group to the next round without any doubt,” Zidane said.

- DAILY POST

Lekki Massacre: Amnesty says Nigerian authorities trying to cover up

 

The Nigerian authorities’ must end their attempts to cover up the Lekki Toll Gate massacre, Amnesty International said, as it released a new timeline investigating the atrocity one week later.

The timeline collates photographs and video footage to confirm that Nigerian Army vehicles left Bonny Camp, a military base approximately a seven-minute drive from the toll gate, at 6.29pm local time on 20 October.

Footage then tracks the vehicles to the toll gate. At approximately 6.45pm, the Nigerian military opened fire on the #EndSars protesters who were peacefully calling for an end to police brutality.

(Read the timeline here

“What happened at Lekki Toll Gate has all the traits of the Nigerian authorities’ pattern of a cover-up whenever their defence and security forces commit unlawful killings,” said Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International.

“One week on, the Nigerian authorities still have many questions to answer: who ordered the use of lethal force on peaceful protesters? Why were CCTV cameras on the scene dismantled in advance? And who ordered electricity being turned off minutes before the military opened fire on protesters?

“The initial denials of the involvement of soldiers in the shooting was followed by the shameful denial of the loss of lives as a result of the military’s attack against the protests.

“Many people are still missing since the day of the incident, and credible evidence shows that the military prevented ambulances from reaching the severely injured in the aftermath.”

Amnesty International is again calling on Nigerian authorities to bring to justice those behind the shooting and to protect those who are exercising their right to freedom of assembly.

The organization is still investigating the shooting, and the reported removal of bodies of those killed by the military in an attempt to remove evidence.

Tracking the military’s movements

Amnesty International’s Crisis Response experts investigated and verified social media videos and photographs that confirm the Nigerian security forces were present at the Lekki Toll Gate when the shootings occurred.

At 6.29pm local time in Lagos, two military vehicles were filmed leaving Bonny Camp on videos shared on social media. Later footage shows four vehicles with flashing lights in a convoy, and they appear to be vehicles used by the Nigerian military and police.

The same vehicles head east along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue – which changes its name to the Lekki-Epe Expressway – in the direction of the Lekki Toll Gate.

On this route, the vehicles pass several international embassies and consulates, including the Japanese Embassy and the Australian High Commission.

Further photographs and footage capture the vehicles arriving at the toll gate, before the peaceful protest is disrupted by men in military uniform and gunfire is heard.

As night time descended, protesters continued to film and share videos of the shootings. Later in the evening, videos of the victims were also shared on social media.

Amnesty International has been monitoring developments across Nigeria since the #EndSars protest began on 8 October 2020.

Nigerians have been taking to the streets, peacefully demanding an end to police brutality, extrajudicial executions and extortion by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian police tasked with fighting violent crimes.

At least 56 people have died across the country since protests began. In multiple cases, the security forces have used excessive force in an attempt to control or stop the protests.

*Statement by Amnesty International

Lawyer: Papers filed against Tinubu, Alpha Beta got burnt during invasion of Lagos court

 

Tade Ipadeola, counsel to Dapo Apara, a former managing director of Alpha Beta Consulting, a tax firm, says the originating summons filed at Igbosere high court, Lagos, against Bola Tinubu, former governor of the state, and the company, have been burnt.

TheCable had reported how the court was overrun by hoodlums who carted away files and equipment after vandalising the building.

The attack on the court happened after suspected hoodlums broke loose in the dying days of the #EndSARS protest.

In the suit, Apara had alleged that the company has been diverting billions of naira from the coffers of the Lagos state government since 2002.

The former MD also alleged that Tinubu demanded that a 70 percent equity interest be assigned to Olumide Ogunmola and Adegboyega Oyetola, two people said to be his associates.

Oyetola, Tinubu’s nephew, is the incumbent governor of Osun state.

Apara claimed his proposal led to the establishment of the company during the period Tinubu was governor of Lagos.

Speaking with PUNCH on Tuesday, Ipadeola said they would have to re-file their case again, adding that the registry has now been moved to Ikeja.

“Everything in Igbosere high court got burnt including the registrar’s copy of our application,” the lawyer said.

“In fact, the whole building was burnt to ashes. So, we will have to file again. The registry has been moved to Ikeja.

“We may have to file the case afresh at the Ikeja high court but we have not yet been instructed to do so.”

Alpha Beta has since dismissed the claims of Apara, saying its former managing director was removed because he committed crimes.

- THECABLE

Lekki shooting: Army lied against Sanwo-Olu – Nnamdi Kanu

 

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Wednesday faulted claims by the Army that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State invited them to Lekki toll gate, amid the End SARS protest.

Kanu claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the soldiers to kill the protesters not Sanwo-Olu.

Recall that gunmen in military uniform had last week Tuesday stormed the Lekki toll gate and shot at peaceful protesters.

The gunmen had killed some of the protesters during the crisis.

But, following the backlash, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army had admitted that it’s soldiers were present at the scene of the protest but did not kill anybody.

The division also disclosed that they stormed Lekki toll gate on the order of Sanwo-Olu.

However, the IPOB leader described the Army’s claim as false.

- DAILY POST

Lagos Policemen block Ojuelegba road, point guns at motorists

 

Nigeria Police officers have caused gridlock at Ojuelegba in Lagos.

Eyewitnesses told DAILY POST at 9:00 am that more than six policemen blocked the road with their vehicle.

They are stationed close to the barracks, stooping traffic flow inward Yaba.

Commuters are apprehensive as the officers took positions with their guns.

The reason for their action is not yet determined. No emergency situation was publicly reported earlier.

“We don’t know why they are standing like that but I didn’t see anything bad happening while coming from Yaba”, said a witness on the other side of the road.

“Some are scared because they pointed guns at people. They crossed the road with their vehicle and are not saying anything.”

Other eye witnesses corroborated the information.

A Twitter user, @Omo19910, warned citizens to avoid that axis.

“If you are going towards Ojuelegba, Stadium, as if you are going to Mushin or Oshodi, don’t pass there, the police station there just blocked the road.

“Every one of them came out with guns and crossed their vehicle on the road. Crazy traffic that side”, the tweet read.

Another eye witness corroborated the information.

Muyiwa Adejobi, Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, did not take calls as at press time.

Ojuelegba was in the news during the recent riots.

- DAILY POST

Cyprus bound student nabbed with 13.55 kg of Cannabis

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA) Special Area Command, has foiled an attempt by an intending student to smuggle 13.55 kilogrammes of cannabis to Cyprus.

The Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr Jonah Achema made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Achema said that the suspected drug trafficker, Sunday Odi was intercepted at the departure hall of the airport while attempting to board a Turkish airline flight to Northern Cyprus en-route Istanbul, Turkey.

According to him, 23-year-old Odi an indigene of Ezza South Local Government Area, Ebonyi State was offered admission to read Tourism and Hotel Management at the Near East University, Cyprus.

“During a search of his luggage, some dried weeds which tested positive for Cannabis Sativa weighing 13.55 kg were found concealed in dried hibiscus flowers and stuffed in empty water bottles.

“The drugs were wrapped in little quantities in the bottles which were cut apart for the wraps to enter and sealed back with a brand label ‘Wonder Bitter Root’.

“The bottles were submerged in the bags with food condiments and provisions,” he said.

Achema, however, said Odi denied knowledge of the content of the bag while disclosing that one Emmanuel Ihebekwe, a Nigerian resident in Cyprus was instrumental to the University admission.

Achema said that Odi claimed that Ihebekwe had told him to come along with some foodstuff and malaria drugs contained in two “Ghana-must-go” bags.

“He said that his friend, Ihebekwe had been his friend of many years before he travelled to Cyprus.

“He said that he had directed somebody from Lagos to bring to him at his base in Nnewi the two bags for him to carry along to meet him in Cyprus.

“He said that the bags were handed to him in Nnewi, firmly padlocked and he was told they contained foodstuff and malaria drugs.

“He said that little did he know he has the intention of finishing his life, ” Achema quoted Odi.

The Commander, NDLEA, NAIA command, Mr Kabir Taskuwa said that the mode of concealment of the illicit substances was intriguing.

According to Taskuwa, we have always known the nefarious human beings for going to any extent to execute their evil plan.

“Our youths need to be wary of the gimmickry of being lured to study or work abroad.

“It is either they are being made to carry drugs from here in Nigeria or they will be used for drug trade abroad. Either way is regrettable”, the Commander maintained.

- PM NEWS