The Semé Command of Nigeria Customs Service said it intercepted 553 parcels of cannabis sativa worth N10 million, with four suspects arrested alongside. The Customs Area Controller of Seme Customs, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Semé. Mr Nenadi said a Ford bus conveying the contraband was accosted by Customs officials on routine patrol along the Abidjan – Lagos Corridor on April 21. “Upon search of the bus, seven large sacks containing 553 parcels of cannabis sativa, also known as Indian hemp, were discovered.   “Also, Four male occupants of the vehicle, comprising of two civilians and two members of one of the sister security agencies conveying the contraband items were arrested. “The contraband narcotics worth about N10 million and the means of conveyance were taken to the station at Seme and detained, pending further investigations. “Also taken to the station are the four male suspects who have volunteered statements. “However, the two members of one of the sister security agencies were handed over to their agency for further necessary action. “Preliminary investigation following the questioning of the suspects revealed that the Indian hemp was destined for Kaduna State,” he said. Mr Nnadi condemned the nefarious means of earning a living by some members of the society, who had no consideration for the damaging effects of hard drugs which contributed to crime in the country. He urged members of the society who traversed the Seme corridor to take advantage of the trade facilitation effort of the Nigeria Customs Service and engage in legitimate business. The controller charged all stakeholders, officers and men of the command and sister border agencies along the corridor to remain vigilant and alert during the Salah celebration as smugglers might wish to take advantage of the public holidays to engage in their reprehensible acts. He also directed them to ensure that all facilities and critical government infrastructure in the area of responsibilities were protected during this period as always.

  Saturday 22 April 2023 Partisan RECs hurt 2023 polls badly, INEC source admits 10TH NASS: Opposition parties resolve to produce Speaker, others Adamawa: Why Binani, REC, indicted security officers, others be must punished – Falana Sudan internal war: Why it’s difficult to evacuate trapped Nigerians – FG Jealous man dismembers lover for planning to end relationship ‘Pardon Me’: Buhari Appeals To ‘Hurt’ Nigerians, Reflects On Past Eight Years Suspended Adamawa REC’s Whereabouts Unknown, Says INEC $2.4bn Oil Probe: Reps Expect Malami Thursday As AGF Plans ‘Comprehensive Response’ UK Deputy PM Resigns Over Bullying Report Adamawa Poll: Ari’s Action An Aberration, Not What INEC RECs Represent – Okoye High Cost Of Living A Global Crisis, Not Peculiar To Nigeria – Garba Shehu Outgoing Govs Bequeath Multi-Billion Naira Liabilities To Successors Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it has no idea of the whereabouts of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Hudu Ari, since his infamous action during the supplementary governorship election in the state.   Ari stirred controversy when he announced the supplementary governorship election results in Adamawa State on Sunday while collation was not yet concluded. “We don’t know where he is because, after this particular incident, the Commission wrote him and also called him on the phone. He never returned any of the calls, he never answered any of the calls. “We asked him to report to the Commission on Sunday we didn’t see him, we asked him to report on Monday we didn’t see him. So up till this moment, he has not reported and we don’t know his whereabouts,” INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday. Asked if he thinks Ari will be declared wanted for failing to report to the Commission or answer its calls, Okoye said that is the responsibility of the Nigerian Police. “Well, that is the responsibility of the Nigerian police. If they feel that his presence is absolutely needed during the investigation and he is nowhere to be found, it is their prerogative and discretion to declare him wanted,” he said. After suspending the REC, INEC reported his case to President Muhammadu Muhammadu Buhari, who on Thursday approved Ari’s suspension, pending the completion of an investigation by the Inspector General of Police on the conduct/actions of the REC during the Supplementary election in Adamawa State. The INEC National Commissioner said that the Commission had received a report from the Inspector General of Police and has commenced the process of prosecuting the controversial Adamawa REC.   “We wrote to the Inspector General of Police and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We have received a response from the Inspector General of Police and they have already commenced an investigation. “My understanding is that the moment the Inspector General of Police concludes the investigation regarding the REC and every other individual who is involved and a prima facie case is established against the REC the file will be made available to the commission and the commission will begin prosecution of the REC,” he added.

  President Muhammadu Buhari says the conduct of the 2023 general election is a proud achievement of his administration. The president, in his Sallah message to the Muslim faithful, said he created “a level playing field for all contestants regardless of party affiliations”. Buhari’s Sallah message was signed by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, on Thursday. The president said the elections were “transparent” and that even members of his political party — the All Progressives Congress (APC) — were “routed and unseated”. He said the 2023 elections “will go down on record as one of the proudest achievements of my administration in addition to our neutrality in the conduct of the elections”. Buhari said the outcome of the elections was “in line with my pledge to leave a legacy of free and fair elections”. “I’m proud that I have created a level playing field for all contestants regardless of party affiliation in order to produce a fair outcome for all,” he said. “Free and fair elections are the only principles that give credibility to our democracy, because the subversion of the will of the people undermines democracy itself.” The president noted that “free and fair elections are the only principles that give credibility to our democracy because the subversion of the will of the people undermines democracy itself”. “At no point did I interfere with the process in order to give unfair advantage to anyone,” he added. The presidential and national assembly elections took place on February 25 while the governorship and state assembly polls were held on March 18. Bola Tinubu, candidate of the APC, was declared the winner of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Opposition political parties — Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — have contested the result at the election petition tribunal.

  Police have arrested Robert Louis Singletary, the suspect accused of shooting a 6-year-old girl and her parents in North Carolina after a basketball rolled into his yard. Gaston County, North Carolina Police spokesperson Adam Gaub said Singletary is in custody in Hillsborough County, Florida, according to, spokesperson Adam J. Gaub. CNN reported that the jail records revealed that the 24-year-old Singletary was arrested on Thursday afternoon, ending a manhunt in which police described the suspect as armed and dangerous. The suspect surrendered himself to authorities, according to a statement, and did not have any identification on him. It further stated that he was processed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office and his identity was confirmed just before 7 p.m. He is scheduled to have a hearing Friday in reference to his extradition. According to several neighbours, the incident began Tuesday when a basketball rolled into Singletary’s yard and he yelled at the kids who went to retrieve it. One of the kids told his father, who then went to Singletary’s house and said something to the effect of “Stop cussing my kid out if you got a problem come to me and we can work it out,” according to three neighbours. Singletary then walked inside, came out with a gun and opened fire at the neighbours, wounding a 6-year-old girl and her parents, the neighbours said. “We never expected anybody would break a gun out amongst all those kids,” neighbour Jonathan Robertson told CNN affiliate WBTV. “I mean that was insane.” The 6-year-old girl, Kinsley, said she was hit in the cheek and described to WBTV her understanding of what happened. “I couldn’t get inside in time so he shot my daddy in the back,” she said. The girl’s mother, Ashley Hilderbrand, said doctors removed bullet fragments from her daughter’s cheek and noted that her own elbow was grazed by a bullet. She said they had nothing to do with the basketball game; the family was outside grilling and her daughter was riding her bike.

  The federal government has made an official request to Sudanese authorities for permission to evacuate Nigerian citizens as the crisis in the country rages on. The government said the non-adherence to ceasefire agreements has made it “impossible” to embark on the evacuation of trapped Nigerians. Francisca Omayuli, spokesperson of the foreign affairs ministry, said on Thursday that Nigeria is “deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict”. “The non-adherence of the warring parties to numerous international calls for a ceasefire has worsened the plight of civilians and made it impossible to embark on their evacuation. Nigeria, therefore, wishes to reiterate the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire,” she said. “In the meantime, the ministry of foreign affairs is in contact with the Sudanese authorities and has, through the Nigerian embassy in Khartoum, made an official request for permission to evacuate Nigerian students and other members of the Nigerian community who may wish to depart the country.” The ministry added that the Nigerian embassy has created WhatsApp and Telegram platforms for the purpose of “proper coordination and regular updates”. The Nigerians in the country were also advised to remain indoors. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, had earlier assured of a plan in place to rescue stranded Nigerians in the country. DEATH TOLL HITS 330 Several global bodies have condemned the war in Sudan as no fewer than 330 people have been killed with at least 3,200 injured. Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), expressed deep concern over the situation and described the crisis as heartbreaking. “The lack of safe access, of electricity, food, water, personnel and the diminishing medical supplies are making it nearly impossible for many health facilities to function at the exact time when there are thousands injured in need of urgent care,” he said. Ghebreyesus urged Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — the two groups involved in the violent power struggle — to respect the truce so that people can seek refuge or healthcare, or access food, water and medicine. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the violence could push millions into hunger in a country that has previously struggled with famine and drought. The United Nations (UN) agency said its staff, offices, vehicles, equipment and food stocks have also come in the direct line of fire, leading to the death of three of its officials on Saturday. The agency said one of its aircraft in Khartoum had been damaged beyond repair, and at least 10 vehicles and six food trucks had been stolen. Additionally, WFP guesthouses, offices and warehouses in Nyala, South Darfur had been overrun and looted, resulting in the loss of up to 4,000 metric tonnes of food. Ceasefire agreements had been reached but Sudan’s army and the RSF violated the truce within hours of its launch.

  Dominic Raab, UK deputy prime minister and secretary of justice, has resigned from office. The development follows an independent inquiry and investigation into eight bullying allegations against him. During the investigation conducted by Adam Tolley, evidence was heard from multiple government officials about complaints of bullying at three different departments. Raab denied claims he belittled and demeaned his staff and said he “behaved professionally at all times”. He had, however, said he would resign if the allegations were upheld. In his resignation letter addressed to Rishi Sunak, UK prime minister, Raab said he decided to step down after an official inquiry found that some of the claims made against him were justified. “I am writing to resign from your government, following receipt of the report arising from the inquiry conducted by Adam Tolley KC. I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word,” the letter reads.   “It has been a privilege to serve you as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a Minister in a range of roles and departments since 2015, and pay tribute to the many outstanding civil servants with whom I have worked. “Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. “Mr Tolley concluded that I had not once, in four and a half years, sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone. I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice. That is, however, what the public expect of Ministers working on their behalf. “In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against Ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government – and ultimately the British people. “I remain as supportive of you and this government, as when I first introduced you at your campaign leadership launch last July. You have proved a great Prime Minister in very challenging times, and you can count on my support from the backbenches.” Raab is the third senior minister to leave the government since Sunak became prime minister. Gavin Williamson resigned in November 2022 over bullying allegations, and Nadhim Zahawi, the conservative party chair, was sacked in January after he was found to have broken the ministerial code over his openness about his tax affairs.