The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Beecroft has seized approximately 1.9 tonnes of cannabis in separate operations and arrested 25 stowaways found aboard commercial vessels within its area of responsibility in Lagos and surrounding waters.

The commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Adams Aliu disclosed this during a maritime stakeholders’ meeting at the officers’ mess of the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos.

Aliu said the seizures and arrests formed part of the navy’s efforts to curb drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal bunkering and other criminal activities in the maritime environment.

He described the security situation in the area as generally calm but stressed the need for continuous surveillance and stronger collaboration among security agencies, maritime operators, government authorities and host communities

Providing details of the operations, Aliu said naval personnel recovered five bags of cannabis weighing 480 kilogrammes around Abule Odo, Lagos, on February 18, 2026. Other illicit substances, including cannabis, tramadol and codeine, were also seized at Idi Araba, Apapa.

He added that two bags of cannabis weighing 192 kilogrammes were intercepted at Ikare Island on April 28, while 11 bags weighing 756 kilogrammes were recovered at Wiliki Post, off Alpha Beach, on July 22.

The seized substances were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for further investigation.

The naval commander also revealed that 25 stowaways were arrested aboard commercial vessels at various locations, including Lagos Anchorage, Lekki Dangote Terminal and Takwa Bay. They were later transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action.

Aliu said other suspects apprehended during the operations had been handed over to relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He noted that maritime offences frequently have links to activities on land, making the involvement of host communities essential to preventing and addressing security threats.

The commander urged stakeholders to develop dependable channels for reporting suspicious movements and emerging threats. He also called for the appointment of designated security officers, better communication and a coordinated system for reporting incidents.

Eight residents, including a mother, her two daughters, a newborn baby and four others, have reportedly died in captivity six months after abduction in Kaduna State.

The victims were among 11 residents abducted when bandits stormed Awon community in Kachia Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna on April 20, 2026.

The abductors initially demanded N300 million and 23 motorcycles as ransom. They rejected the community’s offer and threatened to deny the victims food until the ransom was paid.

The mother died first, while her 14-year-old daughter who was abducted alongside her, later died after becoming critically ill.

According to report, the development came to the fire on Thursday

Two other victims, 34-year-old Yusuf Bawa and his five-year-old son, reportedly died from illnesses and severe hunger while in captivity.

An Imo State High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Orafu, has commenced hearing in the case involving the kidnap of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

Three defendants — Usman Aliyu, alias Chonge; Babangida Aliyu; and Mohamed Ali, alias Smallie Pepper — are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms in suit number HOU/22C/2026.

The Imo State Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Martins Udolwu, led the prosecution team, while Nnaemeka S. C. Adipo and Paschal Ofoma appeared for the defendants.

Testifying before the court, the first prosecution witness, Ikechukwu Emmanuel, a staff member of the Department of State Services (DSS), said he investigated the incident.

Emmanuel told the court that on October 1, 2026, at about 6.30am, 20 prospective corps members travelling in two buses from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states were attacked by suspected kidnappers armed with AK-47 rifles.

“Twenty corps members from both buses were taken hostage and moved into the bush,” he said.

The witness said security agencies in Imo, including the DSS, immediately deployed human and technical resources to track the attackers and secure the victims’ release.

He told the court that the victims were released after the payment of the ransom demanded by the suspects, but investigations continued.

According to him, intelligence reports indicated that the suspected kidnappers had relocated to Rivers and Abia states, leading to the arrest of the three defendants between October 10 and 14, 2026.

Emmanuel also narrated how the DSS conducted an identification parade involving the three defendants and 10 other people.

He said the released victims and one of the bus drivers identified the defendants during the exercise.

The witness further told the court that Usman Aliyu, in a confessional statement, allegedly admitted that 11 people participated in the kidnapping operation.

After the proceedings, Justice Orafu adjourned the case until October 27, 28 and 29, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

The judge said he did not want the case to extend into the new year, directing the defence to be ready to cross-examine the witness immediately after the conclusion of his evidence-in-chief.

“The defence must be ready to cross-examine the witness immediately he is done with his evidence-in-chief,” the judge said.