The United States has raised concerns over the growing interest of Mexican drug cartels in Nigeria, warning that the country could become a key hub for methamphetamine production and trafficking....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for Africa and the Middle East, Michael Gonzales, disclosed that drug cartels were increasingly exploring Africa as an alternative route for transporting synthetic drugs.

The warning comes after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) dismantled four methamphetamine laboratories in Nigeria this year.

Gonzales said the operations highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign to both countries, particularly as Washington intensifies efforts to combat cartels operating in the Western Hemisphere.

He made the remarks on Tuesday during a visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, where he praised the agency’s operational achievements and explained why he selected Nigeria as his first destination after assuming office.

Gonzales said he had taken up the position four months earlier, with responsibility for countries across Africa and the Middle East, and considered Nigeria a priority because of its economic significance and the NDLEA’s record of success.

“I became the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement just four months ago, covering all countries of Africa and the Middle East. And when I was thinking where it makes the most sense to visit first, Nigeria was a clear answer,” he said.

He also commended the agency’s leadership and its collaboration with other security institutions in tackling drug-related crimes.

According to the US official, his visit was intended to provide firsthand insight into the agency’s operations and strengthen the existing partnership between the United States’ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the NDLEA.

Gonzales specifically highlighted the four methamphetamine laboratory discoveries recorded by the agency this year, describing them as evidence of effective intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, coordinated operations and successful investigations.

“The four meth lab busts just this year alone are a testament to the deployment of some of the best practices in our tradecraft, the intelligence-based knowledge collection, the coordination across national lines and agency lines, the operational excellence that goes into the actual bust, and then the interrogations, the investigations and prosecutions,” he said.

He stressed that the fight against narcotics had far-reaching implications because drug trafficking networks operated across national borders, affecting communities in different parts of the world.

Gonzales noted that successful anti-drug operations in Nigeria could contribute to efforts to disrupt international trafficking networks and protect both Nigerian and American citizens from the consequences of the illicit drug trade.

“When I am talking to American audiences in the United States, I tell them there’s virtually no other issue of foreign policy that so tangibly affects the lives of every community, virtually every family across our country, than narcotics,” he said.

He added that drug trafficking was an international problem that required sustained cooperation among countries and law enforcement agencies.

According to him, the United States has more than four decades of experience supporting counter-narcotics operations worldwide, including through the provision of training and equipment.

The US official warned that evolving trafficking patterns made international collaboration increasingly important, urging countries to strengthen cooperation to prevent criminal networks from exploiting new routes and expanding their operations.

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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, revived their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico in their second Group B match in Morocco on Tuesday night, October 20.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi opened the scoring in the 25th minute, while substitute Precious Oscar sealed the victory with a second goal in the 93rd minute at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.

The victory earned Nigeria their first three points of the tournament following their 2-1 loss to Poland in their opening fixture on Saturday.

Head coach Akeem Busari made tactical changes to improve the team’s midfield control and defensive organisation, helping the Flamingos maintain their advantage against tournament debutants Puerto Rico.

Nigeria took the lead through Adegbuyi after applying early pressure and continued to frustrate their opponents with disciplined defending and effective pressing.

The Flamingos limited Puerto Rico’s attacking opportunities throughout the encounter before Oscar found the net in stoppage time to confirm the win.

Speaking after the match, Busari described the encounter as a difficult contest, noting that both teams understood the importance of securing a positive result.

“It was a strong win because Puerto Rico knew it was a game that would decide their fate, so it was a very tough game for both sides. We were unable to convert our chances in the first half. Fortunately, we got the second goal towards the tail end of the second half, but it was a very rough game. They are not pushovers,” he said.

The coach also commended his players for showing greater composure following their opening defeat to Poland, stressing the importance of mental preparation in helping the young team recover from setbacks.

Busari explained that counselling and psychological support were essential in helping the players regain confidence and approach their second match with a better mindset.

“As a handler, when you are down, you look at it and think, how do you come back? It’s all about psyching, and these are young players, so all they need is counselling and what to do. Today, they were exceptional; they were calmer than in the Poland game,” he said.

The result leaves Nigeria with three points from two matches ahead of their final Group B fixture against group leaders DPR Korea on Friday, October 23.

DPR Korea secured qualification for the knockout stage after recording a commanding 6-1 victory over Poland earlier on Tuesday, leaving the Flamingos needing another strong performance in their final group match to strengthen their chances of progressing in the competition.

The remains of former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, arrived in the state on Tuesday as political leaders and other prominent figures continued to pay tribute to the late politician.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his wife, Tobore, joined members of the Uduaghan family to receive the body at Osubi Airport in Okpe Local Government Area.

Following the arrival, the governor and his wife visited the deceased’s residence in Warri, where they offered condolences to his widow, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan.

Oborevwori, who described the late politician as his former boss, recalled the support he received from Uduaghan during his political career, including his appointment as one of his special advisers in 2007.

The governor also praised Uduaghan for his contributions to the development of Delta State, particularly his role in the establishment of the Asaba International Airport.

Paying tribute to the former governor, Oborevwori described him as a calm, articulate and reserved leader whose contributions to the state would not be forgotten.

“He contributed immensely to the development of Delta State, most especially the Asaba International Airport. He was a man of few words. He was very articulate, calm. He has gone, but he can never be forgotten by Deltans,” the governor said.

Uduaghan died at the age of 71. His death was announced on Monday by his son, Toju.

The late politician governed Delta State from 2007 to 2015. Before becoming governor, he served as Commissioner for Health and Secretary to the State Government under the administration of former Governor James Ibori.