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.
-
Nigeria Police Roll Out Special Units for Labour Protest
Security agencies across Nigeria on Tuesday intensified deployments nationwide as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) proceeded with its planned mass protest over worsening insecurity and economic hardship, heightening concerns about public order across major cities. The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that special forces and tactical units have been mobilised across states and the Federal Capital…
-
Lasaco Assurance Gets Approval for N36bn Capital Raise
Lasaco Assurance Plc has obtained shareholders’ approval to raise its share capital to about N36 billion, positioning the insurer to comfortably exceed regulatory thresholds ahead of the insurance industry’s recapitalisation deadline scheduled for July 2026. The approval was granted at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the company held in Lagos, where shareholders endorsed a comprehensive…
-
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…
-
US Imposes Partial Travel Restrictions on Nigeria Over Security Concerns
The United States government has placed Nigeria under a new set of partial travel restrictions, citing concerns over national security, extremist activity, and immigration compliance. The announcement follows a presidential proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, aimed at tightening US border security and improving vetting processes for foreign nationals. The proclamation, released by the White…
-
Opposition Party Condemns Ruling That Allows Suspension of Governors
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling that affirmed the president’s powers to declare a state of emergency and suspend elected officials across the country. In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the party described the decision as a “dangerous democratic bend with far-reaching implications” for federalism…
-
Kebbi ADC Condemns Malami’s Detention, Demands Release
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has strongly criticized the continued detention of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as political victimisation and a violation of the law. Speaking at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi, the state chairman of the…
-
Osun 2026: Accord Party Alleges Plot to Destabilise Party as APC Denies Involvement
The Accord Party in Osun State has accused the ruling party of plotting to destabilise its internal process ahead of the 2026 governorship election by sponsoring a parallel primary. In a statement, the Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Pastor Victor Akande, alleged that the plan was designed to sow confusion, disunity, and chaos…
-
Bauchi Police Command Appoints New Spokesperson
The Bauchi State Police Command has announced the appointment of Superintendent of Police Nafiu Habib as its new Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), taking over from Chief Superintendent Ahmed Wakil. The handover took place at the command headquarters in Bauchi, where Habib officially assumed his duties. Habib, a seasoned officer with more than 16 years…
-
Presidency Rejects Claims of Democratic Erosion, Defends Tinubu and EFCC
The Presidency has dismissed allegations by opposition politicians accusing President Bola Tinubu of undermining multi-party democracy and weaponising anti-corruption agencies, describing the claims as baseless and politically motivated. In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the administration said the opposition was engaging in scapegoating following political setbacks.…
-
Opposition Leaders Warn Tinubu Against Slide Toward One-Party State
Senior opposition figures have cautioned President Bola Tinubu against actions they say could push Nigeria toward a de facto one-party system, accusing the administration of using state institutions to intimidate political opponents ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a joint statement, the leaders expressed concern that anti-corruption and security agencies are increasingly being perceived…
