National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced that it has successfully thwarted attempts by Drug Trafficking Organisations (DTOs) to smuggle illicit consignments from Nigeria to five countries.

NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the organisations wanted to smuggle the alleged consignments to the United States of America(USA), Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Babafem identified the seized drugs as cocaine, tramadol, loud, molly, and other narcotics.

He said that the suspects wanted to ship the consignments via logistics companies and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

According to him, the consignments were cleverly concealed in prayer beads, board game packs, female clothing, and other items.

He revealed that at least two suspects linked to some of the failed smuggling attempts at MMIA had been arrested and detained.

“One of them, a 43-year-old businesswoman,  was apprehended at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of the airport.

“She was caught while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on Saturday, March 8.

“Upon searching her luggage, operatives discovered 190 parcels of tramadol (225mg) and an additional parcel of skunk, a strain of cannabis,” Babafemi said.

He said the suspect allegedly confessed to purchasing the drugs herself, intending to resell them in Italy.

“Similarly, on March 11, NDLEA officers at the airport’s export shed, arrested a 60-year-old suspect, while he was attempting to ship a package disguised as clothing.

“Upon inspection, 400 grams of skunk hidden within the garments were discovered in a consignment bound for New York, USA.

“Operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) also intercepted over two kilograms of illicit drugs.

“Including loud, molly, and tramadol (365mg and 225mg), concealed in Vitamin C bottles and female clothing.

“These shipments were en route to the US from various logistics companies in Lagos.

“Between March 10, and March 12, NDLEA officers also seized 230 grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, the soles of locally made shoes, and board game packs.

“They were destined for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE,” he said.

Babafemi added that in spite of these enforcement efforts, NDLEA commands and formations across the country had continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns.

“These outreach activities targeted schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities.

“Among the recent WADA awareness events were lectures held at U.P.E School, Ilara Epe, Lagos; Government Day Secondary School, Jigalambu, Michika, Adamawa State; Agbegi and High Grammar School, Dekina, Kogi.

“The others are, Capital City Secondary School, Awka, Anambra ; and Eso-Obe Comprehensive High School, Ikoro Ekiti, Ekiti,”he said.

…As CGC Adeniyi Champions Gender Inclusion in Nigeria Customs Service

Following the preparation to commence the long-awaited African Volleyball Tournament in April 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service has named the First Lady and wife of the President of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as the Grand Patron of the upcoming female volleyball tournament.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this announcement on Friday, March 14th, 2025, when he officially visited the First Lady at her office in Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

It will be recalled that the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, commended the Nigeria Customs Service on 17 February 2025 for securing the hosting rights for the CAVB 2025 Women’s African Club Volleyball Championship, scheduled to take place in Abuja from 1 to 14 April 2025.

During the engagement, CGC Adeniyi lauded the First Lady’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, citing her Renewed Hope Initiative, which has positively impacted education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for women, youth, and vulnerable groups. 

He noted that her leadership has inspired institutional reforms across various sectors, including the Nigeria Customs Service.

The CGC highlighted the Service’s investment in women’s sports, noting that its volleyball team has won the Volleyball Premier League in 2018, 2022, and 2024, as well as the Confederation of Africa Zone 3 Volleyball Championship in 2018 and 2019. 

He expressed confidence that the First Lady’s presence at the championship would boost athletes’ morale.

“Your presence at the official opening ceremony would immeasurably elevate the significance of this championship and inspire our athletes to even greater heights”

“Your Excellency, in recognition of your exemplary leadership and advocacy for women’s advancement, we humbly request that you honour us by serving as the Grand Patron of this momentous event. 

“Your presence at the official opening ceremony would immeasurably elevate the significance of this championship and inspire our athletes to even greater heights.” CGC Adeniyi said.

Beyond sports, the CGC emphasised the Service’s commitment to gender balance, highlighting the appointment of women to strategic leadership positions, including Excise and Free Trade Zones, Tariff and Trade, and ICT/Modernization Departments.

He further acknowledged the contributions of female officers leading critical initiatives such as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme, Single Window project, and Authorised Economic Operator Programme, which have significantly modernised Customs operations.

“Following Your Excellency’s inspiring example, we are actively implementing policies that provide equal opportunities for women to express themselves and excel in our Service. Today, women hold critical leadership positions and drive key modernisation efforts.” CGC Adeniyi added.

“I accepted this offer—and I keep telling women, there’s always a space for you. There’s a space for you. Nobody’s asking you not to amount to anything”

However, he reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to promoting women’s participation in leadership and sports, pledging continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the First Lady’s vision for gender inclusion in national development.

Responding, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu accepted the offer, emphasising that women must continue to take up spaces in all spheres of life.

“I accepted this offer—and I keep telling women, there’s always a space for you. There’s a space for you. Nobody’s asking you not to amount to anything. You just have to work more.” The First Lady said.

She further called on Nigerian female star athletes who have made names abroad to return home and inspire the next generation, urging figures like Tobi Amusan and others to actively mentor young girls in sports.

“These are role models for our girls, but don’t go out and just be popular there. They should come and encourage other girls. I want them to do that—because it matters a lot. When God gives you a platform, you are not just standing for yourself, you are standing for millions of other women.” Senator Oluremi added.

Tech giant Google on Tuesday announced its plans to acquire Wiz, an online cloud security platform, for 32 billion dollars in an all-cash transaction.

The Alphabet-owned company expects the acquisition to accelerate cloud security and enhance the ability to use multiple clouds.

The U.S. giant also believes the purchase will help protect against security threats and provide an automated security platform.

Alphabet’s stock was trading at 164.61 million dollars down 1.21 per cent on the Nasdaq.

It was reported that the acquisition came after CNBC reported in July that Wiz had walked away from a potential 23 billion dollar acquisition by Google and announced to employees that it would pursue an initial public offering instead

“Saying no to such humbling offers is tough,” Wiz co-founder Assaf Rappaport wrote to employees in a July memo obtained by CNBC. At the time, a source familiar with the matter told CNBC that Wiz walked away from the deal in part due to antitrust and investor concerns.

Wiz was founded in 2020 and has grown rapidly under Rappaport, with the company hitting 100 million dollars in annual recurring revenue after just 18 months.

The company’s cloud security products include prevention, active detection and response, a portfolio that’s appealed to large firms and would have helped Google compete with Microsoft, which also sells security software.

– dpa