The Director, Media and Advocacy of the agency, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that the agency also seized over 15 million Kilo Grammes of assorted illicit substances and secured more than 15,000 convictions through intelligence-led operations and strategic partnerships within the periods under review.

Outlining the agency’s response to emerging trends in drug trafficking and substance abuse, he said that the achievements were driven by a deliberate policy of proactive enforcement introduced by the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, shortly after assuming office in January 2021.

According to him, the agency’s policies are designed to anticipate and disrupt criminal activities before they occur rather than merely reacting after the damage has been done.

”We try not to be reactive; we want to be proactive. Our operations are 100 per cent intelligence-led. We monitor drug trafficking trends across the globe and partner with leading drug enforcement and security agencies worldwide.

”That has enabled us to be well-positioned and remain steps ahead of drug trafficking syndicates.

”In the last 65 months, NDLEA recorded more than 80,000 arrests, seized over 15 million Kilo Grammes of assorted illicit substances and secured more than 15,000 convictions.

”The agency also intensified efforts aimed at reducing drug demand through prevention, counseling and rehabilitation programmes.”

The agency spokesman said that the NDLEA conducted more than 14,000 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities nationwide within the period.

He added that more than 50,000 persons received counseling, treatment and rehabilitation services through the agency’s 30 rehabilitation facilities across the country within the periods under review.

He also said that the agency’s intelligence-driven approach allowed it to identify and intercept illicit consignments at source instead of waiting for them to be distributed within Nigerian communities.

”We will rather take the battle to the traffickers at their doorstep than wait for illicit consignments to be distributed.

”We will rather stop them before they find their way into our streets and communities than begin mopping them up after distribution,” he said.

Babafemi noted that the strategy had helped the agency save operational and logistics costs while protecting millions of Nigerians from the dangers associated with illicit drug use.

According to him, the approach forms part of the agency’s offensive action policy; one of the key operational directives issued by Marwa on Jan. 18, 2021.

He said the policy had continued to shape the agency’s operational philosophy and enforcement activities across the country.

On collaboration, he said that no agency could effectively tackle drug trafficking and substance abuse in isolation.

”There is no agency or institution that can do it all alone. We work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS), Nigeria Police Force,(NPF), NAFDAC, Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), the Armed Forces and several other institutions,” he said.

The NDLEA director of media and advocacy further disclosed that the agency had strengthened some of the partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) designed to formalise cooperation and improve intelligence sharing.

He said the agency also maintained extensive international partnerships with organisations such as the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Others he said were the UK Home Office International Operations, UK Border Force, UK National Crime Agency, German Police, French Police, Brazilian Federal Police, India’s Narcotics Control Commission and narcotics control authorities in Saudi Arabia.

”NDLEA also collaborates with drug enforcement agencies in several African countries, including Ghana, the Gambia and Kenya.”

Babafemi explained that the partnerships had facilitated intelligence sharing, joint operations and capacity development, which had significantly enhanced the agency’s operational effectiveness.

He also said that the impact of the collaborations was reflected in the agency’s performance statistics over the past 65 months.

He added that the achievements underscored the importance of sustained collaboration among local communities, state and federal institutions and international partners in addressing drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Babafemi reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to intelligence-led operations, proactive interventions and strategic partnerships to counter emerging threats in the illicit drug trade and safeguard communities across the country.

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Also, all equipment involved in the accident have been fully recovered.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

“One NRC staff member who sustained serious injuries remains under specialist medical care,” Opeifa, however, said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the train had the accident at about 4.17 p.m., near Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station, Agbor, Delta, with four coaches capsizing.

The train had departed Itakpe Station at noon on its scheduled service to Ujevwu, Warri, Delta.

The train was carrying 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel comprising train crew, security personnel, medical personnel, cleaners, caterers and other support staff.

Five people died from the accident. Injured persons were rushed to hospitals in Agbor and surrounding communities.

Opeifa said in the statement that all passengers and personnel on board the train had been accounted for.

He said the corporation deeply sympathised with the families of the deceased and would continue to stand with them at the difficult period.

He thanked the management and medical personnel of the General Hospital Owa Oyibu, Owa Alero Hospital, and Central Hospital, Agbor, for prompt responses. professionalism, dedication, and compassionate care provided to the injured people.

“Their invaluable support contributed significantly to the successful management of the emergency and recovery of the affected persons,” he said.

He added that in continuation of its post-incident response efforts, the corporation had constituted a medical and victim support committee to coordinate engagements with injured passengers, relatives of deceased and other affected families.

“The committee has so far visited five injured passengers and the family of one deceased passenger in Agbor, Asaba, and Ugbolu, Delta State, and will proceed to Warri to condole with the families of two other deceased passengers, as well as additional injured passengers,” he said.

He encouraged passengers, relatives, and members of the public seeking information about passengers on board, lost-and-found items, medical follow-up, or other enquiries related to the incident to contact the NRC Incident Desk.

Opeifa said that the desk could be contacted through the following dedicated lines: 09160008964, 09010000101, 08052217353, 08147012653 and 07033684912.

“Meanwhile, with passenger rescue operations and equipment recovery successfully completed, the NRC’s Civil Engineering and New Lines Engineers have commenced rail track restoration works.

“NRC remains fully committed to cooperating with all relevant authorities, implementing safety recommendations arising from investigations, and strengthening measures aimed at ensuring the safety, reliability, and sustainability of railway operations,” he said.

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Mr Smart Nwobi, President of the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), tendered the appeal in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Tuesday.

Nwobi said the affected Nigerians were scheduled to return home on Monday as part of the second batch of evacuees.

He, however, mentioned that the flight was cancelled due to what officials of the Nigerian mission described as technical issues.

“The Nigerians had gathered at the mission in Pretoria and were ready to travel before they were informed of the cancellation,” he said.

According to him, the union sought clarification from the mission because many of the affected persons were left stranded.

Nwobi said reports available to the union suggested that payment issues involving the airline scheduled for the evacuation could be responsible for the delay.

“We are using this opportunity to call on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and resolve the challenges holding the repatriation process,” he said.

He said the president had demonstrated commitment to the welfare of Nigerians by approving five chartered flights for the exercise.

According to him, the international community is closely observing developments surrounding the planned repatriation.

Nwobi also expressed concern over the June 30 deadline reportedly issued by groups campaigning against foreign nationals in South Africa.

He said many Nigerians had become anxious due to threats allegedly directed at foreigners in some communities.

“Most Nigerians cleared for repatriation are now stranded because of the flight cancellation,” he said.

He noted that the delayed flight was the second of five batches planned under the evacuation arrangement.

Nwobi said the union and other Nigerian associations had stepped in to support stranded citizens pending the resolution of the situation.

According to him, the union persuaded the Nigerian mission to provide temporary accommodation for some affected persons at the Nigerian House.

He added that several Nigerian state associations in South Africa also offered shelter and welfare support to stranded passengers.

Nwobi said 275 Nigerians were successfully evacuated in the first batch, while more than 1,000 others are expected to return through the five chartered flights.

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Mr Clement Ezeorah, the Deputy Director,
Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Power in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said that Tegbe made the call while speaking at the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Forum.
Ezeorah said that the forum was held under the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI) in Lagos.

He said that the forum was convened by the ministry of health and social welfare in collaboration with UK PACT and hosted by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Isiaq Salako
Ezeorah also said that the forum brought together representatives of Federal and State Governments, Chief Medical Directors, Development Partners and Private Sector Leaders.

Tegbe described the power sector as one of the most compelling investment on the African continent.

He commended the ministry of health and social Welfare for convening the forum, noting that reliable electricity is not merely an infrastructure requirement but a fundamental pillar of healthcare delivery.

He said that he had been a key stakeholder in the NPHI since its inception, even before his appointment as minister, describing the initiative as a personal commitment and reaffirmed his support to the minister of State (Health).

According to him, the objectives of the NPHI align with the ongoing Power Sector Reforms and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister noted that the initiative offered an opportunity to integrate energy planning into health infrastructure development, deploy grid enhancement and renewable hybrid systems tailored to health facilities.

”The initiative is also aimed at strengthening coordination between power sector institutions, health authorities, regulators, and private sector partners,” he said.

Tegbe said there were more than 35,000 registered health facilities across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels nationwide.

He said that this was a substantial pipeline of bankable projects capable of attracting local and international capital into solar mini-grids, hybrid energy systems, battery storage, as well as energy efficiency technologies.”

The minister told investors that the strength of the framework lie not in the ambition of its vision, but in the quality of its structure, assuring them that the Federal Government would provide commitment and inter-ministerial coordination.

He said that the ministry of power was a co-driver of the initiative and was already active in the field, having deployed solar mini-grids and hybrid systems to health facilities under the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project.

He noted that the Electricity Act provides the regulatory foundation for structuring Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), licencing mini-grid operators, and enabling state-level participation.

Tegbe said that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda with a vision to position Nigeria as Africa’s destination of choice for quality healthcare.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering visible, measurable improvements in the power sector, with health facilities as a priority, and expressed appreciation to investors and development partners for their continued belief in Nigeria’s future.

Dr Iziag Salako , the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare described the NPHI as a shift from donor-funded infrastructure to a sustainable Energy-as-a-Service model.

He said that under NPHI, specialised providers finance, deploy and maintain reliable power systems for health facilities, addressing the energy poverty undermining operating theatres, cold chain systems, diagnostics and emergency care.

”Built on blended financing, institutional readiness and national scalability, the framework currently targets federal tertiary hospitals, with plans to extend nationwide across primary, secondary and tertiary facilities, backed by a new governance structure to drive implementation and unlock private investment in the sector.

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Tajudeen made the call on Monday at the opening of a two-day public hearing on five military related bills, organised by the House Committee on Defence in Abuja.

The bills are the Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme bill, the Gender Representation in the Armed Forces bill, and the Repeal of Armed Forces Act and Enactment of Nigerian Military Force Bill.

Others are the Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria Bill and bills on military education, doctrine and medical services.

Tajudeen described the bills as a direct response to the evolving security threats facing the country and the imperative to build a more resilient, inclusive and effective military institution.

He said that Nigerian was faced with relentless insurgency in the North-East, scourge of banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, farmer-herder crises in the North-Central and the separatist agitations in the South-East.

Tajudeen said that the country was also faced with emerging threats like maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, cyber warfare, and the nexus between organised crime and terrorism.

According to the lawmaker, our Armed Forces are stretched, yet they remain our first and last line of defence.

The speaker said that the aim was to better serve the Nigerian people and to produce legislation that would make the Armed Forces more professional, accountable, gender-sensitive, and more effective in protecting lives and property.

“Let me state clearly, the security challenges we face today demand bold, fresh thinking. The old ways have not fully worked. We must be open to legislative innovations.

“I therefore call on all stakeholders, serving and retired military personnel, civil society, gender experts, veterans, lawyers and ordinary citizens to participate actively. Share your memoranda, speak your truth, critique where necessary and propose solutions.

“Do not hold back because you think your voice does not matter. It does. Do not stay away because you fear your submission will be ignored.

“I give you my word, every memorandum will be read, every oral presentation will be noted, and all relevant contributions will be considered and, where applicable, incorporated into the final reports and bills.

“As we deliberate over the next two days, let us remember the men and women of our Armed Forces who are today in the trenches, in the forests and on the waters, risking their lives for our peace.

“Let us give them laws that support them. Let us give the nation a military that is fit for purpose in the 21st century,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Mr Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos) said that as security threats continue to evolve, legal and institutional frameworks must also evolve to meet contemporary realities.

He said that they represented an important effort to build a stronger, more professional, innovative and future-ready military institution.

“I, therefore, encourage all stakeholders present to participate actively and constructively in these deliberations.

“Whether through oral presentations or written memoranda, your contributions will help ensure that these bills are strengthened and refined in the national interest.

“I assure you that every submission received will be carefully considered by the committee,” he said.

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Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the remarks in Abuja on Monday, while inaugurating the newly constructed Court of Appeal, Abuja Division building complex, at Daki Biyu.

The presidentbsaid that the complex was not just a building, but a statement.

“A statement that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the rule of law will have a befitting home. For too long, the Abuja Division of this Court operated from a cramped, temporary space. That was unacceptable.

“A nation that seeks justice must respect the temple of justice. When I visited and saw the condition, I gave a simple instruction; fix it. Today, we have fixed it,” he said.

He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, for delivering his assignment with due diligence.

“You are truly ‘Mr Project’. When I appointed you as the Minister of the FCT, I knew you would not sleep. You took the assignment to deliver this project in May 2024.

“By July, contractors were on site. You promised 16 months. You delivered in record time. No excuses. No variation. Just results. Nigerians can see the difference. Well-done,” he said.

He described the complex with two large and eight smaller courtrooms as “world-class”, stressing that legal cases would now receive speedy attention.

He added that the development would ensure justice for all, uphold the rule of law, maintain law and order in the FCT and reduce congestion in correctional centres.

“This is how you honour the Judiciary. This is how you strengthen democracy.

“We said we will restore the dignity of our institutions. We are doing it for the Judiciary, doing it in health, education, roads, and power. Brick by brick, we are rebuilding Nigeria.

“I am therefore pleased by the concrete efforts made by the Minister of the FCT to domesticate this policy thrust by building more courts, constructing befitting residences for judicial officers, digitising judicial processes in the territory, and providing solid support for legal education,” Tinubu said.

He added that the Abuja Division carried a heavy docket – “from election petitions to constitutional matters, the eyes of Nigeria are on you.

“You deserve an environment that matches the weight of your responsibility. This complex is not a favour. It is your right and we will do more”.

Earlier, Wike said that the beneficiaries of the infrastructure being provided to the judiciary were citizens and those who provided legal services in Abuja.

He said that the edifice was part of Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the independence of the judiciary.

“You can’t talk about the independence of the judiciary when the judiciary does not have a fitting environment where they can carry out their functions.

“How do you talk about independence when somebody cannot comfortably carry out his or her duties, when somebody does not have a fitting room to stay and do their work,” the minister said.

Similarly, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said that unveiling of the building was a powerful statement of the present administration’s unwavering commitment to the rule of law.

Fagbemi said that Tinubu’s support to promoting judicial independence and the strengthening of institutions that safeguard constitutional democracy was unprecedented.

“This support has been comprehensive, deliberate, and transformational, covering judicial welfare, infrastructure, institutional capacity, and judicial manpower,” he said.

On her part, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem commended Tinubu and Wike for the intervention.

Dongban-Mensem said that currently, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal operated with only two courtrooms, along with very limited administrative office space.

“This lack of infrastructure has continuously slowed down the timely administration of justice, especially given the heavy case load handled by the Division.

“Even when special sittings are arranged and multiple panels of justices sit at the same time to reduce backlog, the court is often forced to use courtrooms outside its own premises, and we have to go pleading with our sister courts,” she said.

Mr Olalekan Adebiyi, Managing Director, Visible Construction Ltd., the contractor, commended Tinubu and Wike for giving local contractors the opportunity to prove themselves.

“We are pleased to be part of this historic project, which is aimed at providing a conducive working environment for judicial officers in line with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Adebiyi said.

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A credible military source told our correspondent that the rescue was carried out by troops of the 17 Brigade during an ongoing search-and-rescue mission for the retired general’s family.

According to the source, the troops made contact with the bandits at Tunga village, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

“The bandits reportedly shot Mrs Abubakar before fleeing under pressure from the advancing troops,” the source disclosed.

The source said the troops rescued her, administered first aid, and immediately began evacuating her to a medical facility in Dutsin-Ma for treatment.

“Troops of 17 Brigade rescued Mrs Abubakar after making contact with the bandits at Tunga village.

“The bandits shot her and fled. She was bleeding, but troops administered first aid and are moving her to Dutsin-Ma for medical attention,” a military source said.

The rescue comes two days after the Defence Headquarters confirmed the death of Maj.-Gen. Abubakar (rtd.), who was abducted alongside his wife by bandits.

Military authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

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Mr Bawa Mokwa, Director Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAGF), revealed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

In the statement, Mokwa said the revenue was shared at the May 2026 FAAC meeting held in Abuja recently.

He revealed that, the N2.257 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N1.260 trillion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N747.088 billion and Augmentation N250 billion.

Mokwa said a communiqué issued by the FAAC indicated that total gross revenue of N3.184 trillion was available in the month of April 2026.

“A total deduction for cost of collection was N113.756 billion while total transfers, refunds and savings was N813.839 billion.

“Gross statutory revenue of N2.378 trillion was received for the month of April 2026. This was higher than the sum of N1.699 trillion received in the preceeding month by N678.224 billion.

“Gross revenue of N806.617 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in April 2026. This was higher than the N664.425 billion available in the month of March 2026 by N142.192 billion,’’ Mokwa quoted the communiqué.

He quoted the communique further: “From the N2.257 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received total sum of N787.351 billion and the State Governments received total sum of N772.360 billion.

“The Local government Council received N540.152 billion, while the sum of N157.254 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting State as derivation revenue.

“On the N1.260 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N580.942 billion and the State Governments received N294.661 billion.

“The Local Government Councils received N227.172 billion and the sum of N157.254 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

“From the N747.088 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N74.709 billion, the State Governments received N410.898 billion and the Local Government Councils received N261.481 billion.

“The Federal Government received N131.700 billion from the N250.000 billion, the States received N66.800 billion and the Local Government received N51.500 billion.

He further disclosed that, in April 2026, Companies income Tax (CIT), CGT, SDT, Import Duty, Oil and Gas Royalty and Value Added Tax (VTA) increased significantly, while Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), decreased considerably.

Mokwa added that Excise Duty and CET Levies decreased marginally.

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Amakiri, who stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, lamented that the security challenges had continued unabated despite huge defence allocations over the years.

He also said that Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule had failed to deliver expected dividends to millions of citizens due to corruption, incompetence and self-serving political leadership.

He said that the country was battling worsening insecurity, rising poverty, mounting debt, weak public institutions and a growing trust deficit between government and citizens.

The YPP chairman alleged that government had not demonstrated sufficient political will to identify, prosecute and punish financiers of terrorism operating across the country.

He expressed concern that insecurity had disrupted farming activities, worsened food shortages and contributed to rising inflation and increasing number of out-of-school children.

Amakiri, therefore, urged government to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, strengthen intelligence gathering, deploy modern technology and establish state police with adequate safeguards.

On the economy, he noted that living conditions had deteriorated despite subsidy removal, tariff increases and other reforms introduced by the current administration.

The YPP chairman called for implementation of the Oronsaye Report, reduction of governance costs and comprehensive audits of public expenditures and annual budgets.

He also advocated for digitalisation of procurement processes, publication of government allocations and restrictions on non-essential borrowings to promote accountability and transparency.

Amakiri called for independent forensic audits of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Ministry of Power over alleged financial irregularities.

He said that individuals found culpable of infringing on due process should be prosecuted and illegally acquired assets recovered for the benefit of Nigerians.

He stressed the need for government to prioritise skill acquisition programmes instead of palliative measures, arguing that sustainable empowerment would better address poverty and unemployment.

He urged leaders to embrace reforms that would strengthen security, promote justice, protect public resources and guarantee prosperity for future generations.

According to him, Nigeria possesses the human and material resources required for development but lacked responsible leadership and commitment to national interest.

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Mr Babatunde Gold, the Itori Unit Commander of the FRSC, gave the warning in an interview with the our correspondent on Monday in Ota.

Gold said improved road conditions had encouraged some motorists to drive at high speeds, increasing the risk of crashes.

According to him, motorists must understand that speeding remains one of the major causes of road accidents.

“Speed may be exciting, but it kills faster than many people imagine.

“We appeal to motorists to avoid speeding because when a tyre bursts or a vehicle loses control, the impact of the crash is often more severe at high speed,” he said.

The unit commander also warned against dangerous driving and driving against traffic, urging road users to obey traffic regulations to avoid preventable accidents.

Gold said the FRSC had continued its engagement with transport unions, particularly the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), to educate their members on the dangers of speeding and reckless driving.

He reiterated the corps’ commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property along the rehabilitated Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and other roads within the area.

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