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Nigeria’s Drug War Escalates: Kingpin Caught, ₦6.1 Billion Shipment Seized
According to Nivo News, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted drug kingpin, Sunday Ibigide, 36, after a three-year nationwide manhunt. Ibigide was apprehended on August 10, 2025, in Asaba, Delta State, while transporting 250 parcels of skunk weighing 138kg in a distribution vehicle.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted drug kingpin, Sunday Ibigide, 36, after a three-year nationwide manhunt. Ibigide was apprehended on August 10, 2025, in Asaba, Delta State, while transporting 250 parcels of skunk weighing 138kg in a distribution vehicle.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said Ibigide first appeared on the agency’s radar on March 19, 2022, when he was linked to the seizure of 24.1kg of skunk and 10 grams of molly. “He went underground afterwards but was eventually tracked down with the help of credible intelligence. He was arrested alongside his aide, Clement Osuya, 27,” Babafemi confirmed.
In a related crackdown between August 14 and 15, NDLEA operatives, supported by the military and local vigilantes, raided three cannabis farms in Enugu Ezike, destroying 15 hectares of illicit crops amounting to 37,500kg of skunk. Six suspects were arrested and 74.5kg of harvested skunk was recovered for prosecution.
In the same week, multiple arrests were made across the country. In Enugu, a 53-year-old man, Emmanuel Ayogu, was intercepted with 20,700 tramadol and cocodamol pills, while two others were caught with 27.6kg of skunk at New Market. In Lagos, a woman, Muyibat Mumuni, 52, and her son, Faruk, 25, were detained for warehousing 149kg of Ghana Loud, a potent cannabis strain. Another suspect, Emmanuel Samuel, was arrested in Lekki with 8.5kg of Canadian Loud.
Further operations recovered 128,000 tramadol capsules in Gombe, 337,800 capsules from a commercial driver in Kogi, and 29,840 capsules from a 20-year-old suspect in Taraba. NDLEA also dismantled 4.5 hectares of cannabis farms in Tanmiya forest and arrested several traffickers in Kaduna with 22,640 illicit pills and 111.1kg of skunk.
The agency’s largest seizure during the week occurred at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, where 875,000 bottles of codeine syrup valued at ₦6.1 billion and 3.5 million tablets of trodol benzhexol worth ₦1.7 billion were intercepted. The operation followed months of surveillance on five high-risk containers jointly examined by NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies at the West Africa Container Terminal.
Additional seizures included 432kg of skunk recovered on Warake-Auchi Road and 130kg seized in Sobe, Edo State; 92kg of skunk confiscated in Kano from two suspects; and 4,320 ampoules of ketamine injection recovered on the Lagos-Badagry highway.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised officers across the affected commands, urging them to maintain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control — combining aggressive enforcement with War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns. He noted that recent sensitisation efforts had involved consultations with former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as traditional rulers including the Emir of Borgu, the Emir of Lafia, and the Shehu of Borno.
The Senate has approved the appointment of Muttaqha Rabe Darma as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after his screening on Thursday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
His confirmation came after a question-and-answer session during plenary, following the submission of his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Senate.
The nomination letter was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and subsequently referred to the Committee of the Whole, which later endorsed his confirmation.
While addressing lawmakers during the screening, Darma pledged to collaborate closely with the National Assembly to tackle Nigeria’s housing crisis.
“We will work together with the National Assembly to ensure that the challenge of housing is addressed,” he said.
He revealed that more than 100 million Nigerians are impacted by inadequate housing, stressing the urgent need to increase access to affordable homes.
Darma outlined plans to implement policies that support low- and middle-income earners, alongside reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency in the housing sector.
Responding to concerns raised by Adams Oshiomhole, he expressed confidence in addressing the housing shortfall.
“I believe everything is possible. I will do everything within my capacity to close the gaps and improve the situation,” he stated.
He also underscored the importance of strengthening governance and accountability in the sector, noting that both public institutions and private developers have critical roles to play.
Darma further promised to reposition the ministry for improved performance, drawing from his experience as former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.
In addition, he highlighted the link between housing and national security, emphasizing that stable communities are vital for sustainable development.
He assured lawmakers that restoring Abuja’s master plan and enhancing urban development in the Federal Capital Territory would be key priorities.
His confirmation comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to bridge Nigeria’s housing deficit and improve service delivery in the sector.
Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa on Thursday officially transferred leadership of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He handed over to the Minister of State, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, following his removal from office after a minor cabinet reshuffle approved by President Bola Tinubu. The President subsequently nominated Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD) as the new minister-designate for the ministry.
Speaking in Abuja, Dangiwa expressed confidence that ongoing reforms in the housing sector would continue despite his departure.
“As I step aside, I remain optimistic about the future of Nigeria’s housing and urban development sector. I urge all stakeholders to sustain the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and service to the nation,” he stated.
The outgoing minister described his tenure as both an honour and a duty, appreciating the President for the opportunity to serve. He also thanked stakeholders across the housing sector, noting that their cooperation played a key role in driving reforms during his time in office.
In his remarks, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata praised Dangiwa’s professionalism and leadership, describing his tenure as impactful. He noted that the reforms introduced under Dangiwa contributed to advancing affordable housing initiatives and strengthening institutional structures within the sector.
Meanwhile, the Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Darma as a minister.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail request filed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai, citing the seriousness of the charges against him and the risk of interference with ongoing investigations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice D.H. Khobo delivered the ruling on April 21, 2026, in a case brought by the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The court ruled that the circumstances surrounding the case did not justify granting bail at this stage.
In his application, El-Rufai had asked to be released either on self-recognition or on lenient terms to be set by the court. He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and therefore bailable, while also pointing to his strong community ties, known residence, and assets as proof he was not a flight risk.
He further told the court that he voluntarily returned from Egypt to respond to authorities’ invitation and described the charges as “fundamentally defective” and unclear. He also raised health concerns, claiming he required specialised medical care.
However, the anti-graft agency opposed the application, describing the allegations as having severe economic implications. It argued that the former governor could tamper with witnesses or disrupt ongoing investigations involving other suspects still at large.
The commission also accused him of obstructing law enforcement officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in February 2026 and dismissed his health claims, stating that no medical evidence was presented to support them.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo stressed the weight of the charges and the concerns raised by the prosecution, noting that keeping the defendant in custody would ensure his availability for a speedy trial. He also rejected the medical grounds for bail, stating that no sufficient evidence was provided.
Consequently, the court refused the bail application and ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody pending trial. The judge further directed that the case be handled on an accelerated basis, fixing June 1, 2, 3, and 4, 2026, for continuous hearing.
The former governor will remain in custody as the court prepares to begin full trial proceedings.
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