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NDLEA: Auto Parts Dealer, Business Woman Arrested Over UK-bound Cocaine

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SUSPECTS

 

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested an Ibadan-based businesswoman, Adewunmi Dorcas and an auto parts dealer, Arinze Ora, over attempts to export consignments of opioids and cocaine to London, United Kingdom and Congo Brazzaville, respectively.

 

The NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, had on Friday, September 6, 2024, intercepted a cargo going to the UK.

 

According to a statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, a thorough search of the consignment revealed that 924 bottles of codeine-based syrup weighing 135.70kg and 5,250 tablets of Rohypnol were hidden in cartons of foodstuffs.

 

“The freight agent, Owojori Olanrewaju Sunday, who presented the cargo for export, was promptly arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect, Adewunmi Akeem Temitope, who claimed that his mother, 58-year-old Mrs. Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas sent the consignment to him from Ibadan to deliver to the agent. A follow-up operation on Saturday, September 7, led to the arrest of Mrs Adewunmi in Ibadan, where she deals in foodstuffs and cargo export.

 

“In his statement, the agent, Owojori, confessed that he had been working for Mrs Adewunmi to export cargoes to the UK, adding that he was paid N2,411,000.00 for the job, while he was paid N2.1million for a similar consignment handled for the businesswoman earlier,” the statement added.

 

Babafemi also said the NDLEA operatives at the same export shed of the Lagos airport on September 11 intercepted some cartons of auto spare parts and Checker powder custard going to Congo Brazzaville on Ethiopian Airlines.

 

He added that a diligent search of the cargo led to the discovery of 300 grams of cocaine concealed in the containers of Checker powder custard packed together with some auto parts.

 

“A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the sender of the consignment, Arinze Ora, who deals in auto parts at Shop 12, Block 7 Aspanda Trade Fair Auto Parts Wing, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos,” Babafemi said.

 

Additionally, Babafemi said operatives arrested two brothers, Ikechukwu Ikeabba and Ugochukwu Ikeabba, who were sponsors of drug traffickers who specialised in exporting drugs by ingestion to Vietnam on September 10.

 

“Their arrest followed a diligent investigation of an earlier arrest of an Onitsha, Anambra State based-businessman, Ibeanusi Solomon Nosike, who excreted 68 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.282 kilograms after 12 days of excretion observation after he was arrested at the local wing of the Lagos airport by the NDLEA operatives.

 

“The 36-year-old Ibeanusi was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the old domestic terminal of the Lagos airport while attempting to board the first flight out of Lagos to Abuja where he was scheduled to join a Qatar Airways flight to Vietnam at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 10 am, the same day,” Babafemi said.

 

He also said the brothers were linked to another Vietnam-bound businessman, 54-year-old Paul Mbadugha, who was arrested by the NDLEA operatives at the Abuja airport on  August 12, 2024, during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR 1432 to Hanoi, Vietnam via Doha after he tested positive to ingestion of cocaine.

 

He recalled that four days under observation, Mbadugha excreted a total of 88 wraps of the illicit drug with a gross weight of 1.710 kilograms.

“At the time of the arrest of the two kingpins, the Ikeabba brothers,  they were caught with 87 wraps of cocaine dummies used in training intending swallowers,” Babafemi added.

 

 

In Gombe State, Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on September 14 arrested three suspects: Auwal Abdullahi, Isah Rabiu and Abubakar Da’u along Bauchi-Gombe Road while travelling in a DAF truck marked GME 552 ZU.

 

He noted that a search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 2,490,000 pills of Tramadol concealed with bags of salt.

 

In another operation in Kaduna State, Babafemi said a suspect, Idris Adamu, was arrested with 41.5 kilograms of cannabis sativa at Kachia town on September 10,  while two suspects: Godiya  Jikuk, and Yusuf Umaru, were nabbed at Isinbode-Ekiti, Ekiti State with a total of 73.6kg cannabis on Wednesday, September 11.

 

“In Bauchi State, no fewer than 208,920 pills of Tramadol and Diazepam were seized from a suspect, Chinedu Asadu, 35, on Thursday, September 13, while 104kg of cannabis was recovered from two suspects, Abba Abdullahi and Mustapha Yahaya, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday, September 10, by operatives in Lagos State.

 

No fewer than 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered by the NDLEA operatives in two containers shipped from India during a joint examination of the containers with men of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies at the Tincan port in Lagos on Tuesday, September 10. The containers were part of those targeted by the NDLEA for 100 per cent examination,” the statement concluded.

Health & Wellness

Nigeria-Britain Association, LiveWell Initiative Champion Preventive Healthcare at 2026 Health Fair

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The Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA), in partnership with the LiveWell Initiative (LWI), successfully hosted the 2026 Health Fair on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the British Council, Ikoyi, Lagos, reinforcing their shared commitment to advancing preventive healthcare, wellness, and community health awareness.

Themed “Attaining Boisterous Health and Wellbeing amidst a Fast World,” the health fair was convened by the LiveWell Initiative LWI using a team of dedicated healthcare professionals, wellness advocates, and participants of diverse health backgrounds including emotional health physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, public health practitioners for a day dedicated to integrated health services, education, and engagement.

Mr  Sola  Oyetayo President    N-BA having his BP checked

The programme opened with an insightful health talk delivered by Dr Bisi Bright, CEO of LiveWell Initiative LWI, and Council member, N-BA, who emphasized the importance of adopting proactive health behaviours in response to the increasing pressures of modern living.

File Photo: Fruits and Salads  at the Nutrion Stand

Dr Bright further emphasized that “ individuals must take responsibility for their wellbeing by making informed choices, embracing early diagnosis, practicing basic hygiene, managing emotions, and staying consistently hydrated.”

Her session explored critical areas such as lifestyle management, stress, nutrition, resilience, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases, while advocating a more holistic approach to healthcare.

Speaking at the event, Sola Oyetayo, President of the Nigeria-Britain Association, described the health fair as part of the NBA’s broader sustainability agenda focused on promoting healthier communities and enhancing quality of life for N-BA members and Nigerians, but also to members of the Commonwealth community in Nigeria, He emphatically added that “Health is Wealth.”

Similarly, Funmilola Orokale, Council Member of the N-BA, stated that “the initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring greater health awareness, early detection of underlying conditions through accessible and respectful screening processes.”

With a team of over 50 healthcare professionals all from the LiveWell Initiative LWI, the health fair provided attendees with comprehensive and accessible medical services in a well-coordinated environment.

Participants benefited from a wide spectrum of free health screenings and consultations, ranging from cardiovascular and metabolic checks such as blood pressure and blood sugar testing, to infectious disease screenings including hepatitis, HIV, and malaria.

Specialized services such as prostate screening, breast examinations, eye assessments, dental and dermatological checks were also made available, alongside nutrition counselling, mental wellness support, and neurological assessments.

The LWI Team

In addition, a fully equipped pharmacy stand ensured access to free medications and professional guidance, while participants who require visual support received recommended eyeglasses at no cost.

There were free condoms available only for adults, with Counselling on responsible sexual behavior.

Beyond clinical services, the event delivered a holistic wellness experience featuring structured fitness sessions, recreational activities, and healthy nutrition offerings including fruit trees and various salads, smoothies and juices all aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyle changes. The engaging and impactful atmosphere enabled participants to not only assess their health status but also take practical steps toward improved wellbeing. The event recorded strong participation, with over 100 registered attendees alongside additional walk-in participants, many of whom expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, particularly the convenience of accessing multiple healthcare services in one location and gaining greater awareness to make informed health decisions.

 

About the Nigerian Britain Association (NBA)

The Nigeria-Britain Association is committed to fostering socio-cultural, educational, and developmental ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, while promoting initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of its members and the wider community.

About LiveWell Initiative (LWI)

LiveWell Initiative LWI is a health-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting preventive healthcare, wellness education, and access to quality health services through community-driven programmes and strategic partnerships.

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Health & Wellness

Health Workers Protest In FCT Against Regulatory Bill

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Health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations are protesting at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.

 

The protest is against the proposed health sector regulatory bill, which is before the National Assembly.

The protesting health workers are against the bill, claiming that if allowed to pass, it would subject every medical profession to the regulation of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

They maintain that all health professions have their regulatory bodies, and that the new bill was seeking to make other health professionals second-class to medical doctors.

The protesters plan to also go to the National Assembly, where they hope to present their case to lawmakers.

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NARD issue 10-day ultimatum, threaten strike

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Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors  have issued a 10-day ultimatum to all relevant government agencies on Monday, warning that its members would embark on a nationwide strike if the demands were not met.

 

NARD disclosed this in a communiqué signed by its President, Dr. Tope Osundara; the General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and the Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, issued after its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, which was held virtually on Sunday.

In July, NARD had issued a three-week ultimatum, but in the interest of industrial harmony, the NEC granted the National Officers’ Committee an additional three weeks to engage with all relevant stakeholders, after which it would reconvene to reassess the extent of implementation of its demands.

In Sunday’s meeting, the E-NEC condemned the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil its promises, noting with dismay that a substantial number of resident doctors remain unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and the refusal to pay the outstanding five months’ arrears arising from the 25 per cent/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, as well as other longstanding salary arrears.

It also condemned the government’s failure to pay the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.

“The E-NEC expressed displeasure over the unjust downgrading of the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, as well as the persistent non-issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

“The E-NEC condemned in strong terms the failure of the Kaduna State Government to honour its commitments to members under ARD Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite earlier agreements and signed Memoranda of Understanding. The E-NEC condemned the failure of the Oyo State Government to address the challenges faced by members of ARD LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, despite an ongoing indefinite strike action in the hospital,” it noted.

It, however, commended state governors who have demonstrated commitment to the welfare of doctors by paying the 2025 MRTF.

Meanwhile, the doctors said that if their demands are not met by September 10, 2025, they would embark on a nationwide strike.

E-NEC, however, demands the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 MRTF to all eligible resident doctors by the Federal Government, as well as the settlement of the outstanding five months’ arrears of CONMESS, alongside other longstanding salary arrears.

The Council also demands, “The immediate payment of the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance. The E-NEC demands the commencement of payment of specialist allowances to all doctors without further delay, given their indispensable role in delivering specialist medical care across the nation. The E-NEC demands that the MDCN immediately restore the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their rightful status and calls on the NPMCN to commence without delay the issuance of membership certificates to all deserving candidates, in line with international best practices.

“The E-NEC demands the immediate implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and resolution of all outstanding welfare concerns in Kaduna State, noting that the indefinite strike by our members has already resumed and will continue until these demands are met. The E-NEC demands that the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, immediately resolve the welfare concerns of resident doctors under the employment of the state government, particularly those at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.

“The E-NEC urges all State Governors to prioritise the welfare of doctors in their state-owned hospitals and training institutions, ensure the timely payment of MRTF to their resident doctors, and take proactive steps to curb emigration while maintaining industrial harmony.

“The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands. Failure to do so within this period (expiring on Wednesday, 10th September 2025) will leave the NEC with no other option than to embark on a nationwide strike action.”

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