Business
NDLEA Seizes 25kg of Cocaine, Holds Ship and Crew
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has secured an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos to detain a commodity vessel, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine at the Apapa seaport.
The cocaine was discovered in the hatch of the merchant vessel, MV San Antonio, which arrived in Lagos from Brazil.
The Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the seizure was made on December 6, 2025, after operatives acted on credible intelligence.
Babafemi said that following the discharge of the ship’s cargo, a total of 21 crew members of different nationalities, including Russians, Filipinos, Ukrainians and Azerbaijanis, were taken into custody alongside the seized drugs.
He said the interception came weeks after NDLEA officers uncovered another cocaine shipment aboard MV Nord Bosporus from the port of Santos, Brazil, where about 20 kilograms of the drug were concealed under cargo at the same Apapa port on November 16.
According to him, those detained include the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, and other crew members whose statements are currently being taken as part of ongoing investigations.
Babafemi added that in line with international legal protocols, the agency on December 12 filed an ex parte application before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking the detention of the vessel and the suspects pending the conclusion of investigations and the filing of charges.
Granting the application, the court ordered that the vessel and the crew members be detained for an initial period of 14 days following the seizure of the cocaine, and adjourned the matter to December 29, 2025.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the seizure reinforced the agency’s resolve to deny international drug cartels and their local collaborators any foothold in Nigeria.
He commended officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for the successful operations and assured that the agency would continue working with local and international partners to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse.
-
Abure-Led Labour Party Faction Moves to Appeal Court Ruling
The faction of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure has announced plans to appeal a Federal High Court judgment that recognised a caretaker committee headed by Senator Nenadi Usman. The group described the ruling as contradictory to previous decisions of the Supreme Court, which it said clearly established that courts lack the power to…
-
Atiku Warns Senate Delays Could Jeopardise 2027 Elections
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Nigerian Senate of stalling efforts to amend the Electoral Act, warning that continued delays could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections. In a public statement, Atiku argued that weaknesses in the existing Electoral Act contributed significantly to challenges witnessed during the 2023 elections, making it…
-
Nigeria’s Economic Risks Overstated, Tuggar Tells Foreign Investors
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has urged global investors to reassess their perception of Nigeria’s risk profile, describing prevailing security concerns as exaggerated. Speaking during engagements on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Tuggar said insecurity in Nigeria was limited to isolated areas and did not reflect the broader national…
-
Japan Suspends Restart of World’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant
Japan has suspended the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant after a technical alarm was triggered during startup procedures, raising fresh questions about the facility’s readiness amid lingering public safety concerns. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station in Niigata Prefecture had remained offline since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, but initial steps to resume operations…
-
APC Stakeholders Press Tinubu, NEC to Respect Zoning Formula
Stakeholders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to retain the existing zoning formula ahead of the party’s forthcoming national convention. The group described the zoning arrangement as a vital tool for maintaining internal cohesion, inclusiveness and stability within the party, warning…
-
US Rolls Out Fast-Track Visas for 2026 World Cup Fans
The United States has introduced a priority visa appointment system for holders of tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing football fans to apply for earlier visa interview slots ahead of the tournament. The initiative, which became operational this week, enables eligible ticket holders to access expedited visa appointments before the competition begins on…
-
Obi’s ADC Presidential Ambition Hinges on Atiku’s Exit — Former PDP Aspirant
A former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Adamawa State, Umar Ardo, has said Peter Obi’s chances of securing the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket for the 2027 election depend largely on whether former Vice President Atiku Abubakar steps aside. Speaking during a television interview, Ardo said Atiku currently holds a strong advantage…
-
APC Targets Six Million New Members as Rivers E-Registration Begins
The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has launched its electronic membership registration exercise, setting a target of enrolling about six million new members. The state chairman of the party, Tony Okocha, disclosed this during the official flag-off of the exercise and the training of local government supervisors and ward agents in Port Harcourt. Okocha…
-
Wike Appoints Sani Musa Daura as Senior Special Assistant on Protocol
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has appointed Sani Musa Daura as Senior Special Assistant on Protocol Matters. The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka. According to the statement, Daura is a career civil servant with more…
-
UK Will Not Bow to Trump Pressure Over Greenland — Starmer
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the United Kingdom will not yield to pressure from United States President Donald Trump regarding the future of Greenland, stressing that Britain’s position is grounded in principle and international norms. Addressing lawmakers in parliament, Starmer said the UK would not compromise its values or stance on Greenland despite…