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Customs, NDLEA, DSS say Captagon pills dismantled from machine weigh 74.119kg

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 The ongoing joint operation by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Department of State Service(DSS) in Apapa Port has discovered more Captagon pills weighing 74.119kg.

Comptroller Malanta Yusuf, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, made the disclosure in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Abubakar Usman on Friday.

Yusuf said that according to nature.com, an online portal that researches and does analyses on medicines , “Captagon, the trademark name for the synthetic stimulant Fenethylline, was first reported by a German pharmacist in 1961 for the potential treatment of hyperactivity, depression and narcolepsy1.

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“However, due to its addictive and hallucinogenic properties, it was listed as a controlled substance by the United States (1981) and the World Health Organisation (1986), making it illegal to buy or sell Captagon in most countries.

“Captagon has been reported to be a central nervous system (CNS) stimulator with stronger and longer lasting effects on fighting aggression, detachment, cognitive enhancement, and alertness than one of its main metabolites, Amphetamine.”

Yusuf noted that the hard drug, which was carefully hidden in various components of a machine, was equivalent to 451,807 tablets now packed in 18 parcels.

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“Relying on credible intelligence, the three services had embarked on a painstaking weeklong operation which resulted in their first discovery on Wednesday evening.

“Acting on reasonable suspicion that more of the drugs may be hidden inside various components of the machine, they continued the search on Thursday using sniffer dogs and more personnel which led to more discoveries.

“This seizure is a fallout of renewed synergy and cooperation aimed at curbing all forms of unlawful activities at Nigeria’s largest and premier port of Apapa which processes the country’s highest volume of maritime trade,” he said.

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He added that the search would  continue  as there were reasons to suspect more concealments of the illicit tablets inside the imported machine.

Yusuf pointed out that he and Mr Samuel Bashir Gadzama, Commander of NDLEA in Apapa and Director in-charge- of the DSS at the port were at the fore of the week-long operation.

According to him, long-term use of the drug leads to remarkable side effects with the most common being extreme depression, lethargy, sleep deprivation (insomnia), occasional palpitation, heart and blood vessel toxicity and malnutrition .

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“It has been linked as one of the most notorious stimulant being taken by insurgents in the ISIS battle and other Middle East unrest.

“The drug and the suspect have been handed over to NDLEA for further analysis, investigation and interrogation,” he said.

NAN

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Tinubu Postpones Kaduna Trip, Heads to Benue Over Escalating Crisis

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rescheduled his planned official visit to Kaduna State and will instead travel to Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to address the persistent conflict rocking parts of the state.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the visit is part of renewed efforts by the Tinubu administration to foster peace and restore stability to communities affected by the recurring violence in Benue.

President Tinubu is expected to engage directly with stakeholders—including traditional rulers, political leaders, religious figures, community heads, and youth groups—during a town hall meeting aimed at identifying lasting solutions to the crisis, which has claimed numerous lives and displaced many residents.

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In a show of urgency and commitment, the President has already deployed high-level officials to Benue ahead of his visit. These include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees.

President Tinubu has previously condemned the ongoing violence in Benue, urging all sides to embrace peace, mutual understanding, and unity. He also extended condolences to families who have lost loved ones and those who have suffered due to the prolonged conflict.

Originally scheduled to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday to commission several state government projects, President Tinubu will now carry out the Kaduna leg of his itinerary on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

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Plateau Governor Sets Up Committee to Probe Two Decades of Attacks

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Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has inaugurated a 10-member fact-finding committee tasked with uncovering the root causes of the persistent attacks plaguing communities across the state.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday in Jos, Governor Mutfwang charged the committee with conducting a comprehensive review of violent incidents from 2001 to date. “We thought that we should set up this high-powered fact-finding committee to look at the incessant attacks on our communities,” the governor stated.

According to Mutfwang, the committee is expected to perform an in-depth assessment of the recurring security breaches, determine the number of affected communities, and assess the extent of damage done over the years. “We want to understand the root causes and propose actionable recommendations for lasting peace, justice, and stability in the affected communities,” he said.

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The committee’s mandate also includes establishing the number of casualties, identifying possible perpetrators and their motives, and uncovering potential routes used by bandits to access Plateau State. “Identify possible routes of bandits into the state and recommend measures to limit their access,” the governor added.

Chairman of the committee, retired Maj.-Gen. Rojas Nicholas, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in the members. He pledged that the committee would approach its assignment with fairness and commitment. “We will do our best to produce a report that would befit its assignment,” Nicholas assured.

The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations in due course, with hopes that the report will provide a pathway to durable peace and security in the state.

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Eid-el-Fitri: FRSC deploys 1500 personnel in Delta

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Eid-el-Fitri: FRSC deploys 1500 personnel in Delta

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Delta State Command, has deployed 1,500 personnel, including regular and special marshals, to various locations in the state to ensure safety during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Mr Frederick Ogidan, Sector Commander, FRSC, said this on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba.

Ogidan said that a total of 1,500 personnel and special marshals, 20 patrol vehicles, two bikes and two ambulances would be deployed in the state for effective enforcement and emergency response during the festivity.

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“Additionally, a 70 tonne heavy-duty tow truck and strategic collaboration with the State Tow Truck Association have been put in place for swift clearance of road obstructions.

“As we celebrate, motorists are advised to avoid speeding, dangerous overtaking, overloading and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Passengers should also play their parts by calling drivers to order when necessary, while pedestrians must use designated crossings.

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“I wish the Muslim community in Delta State a peaceful, joyful and crash-free Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

“Let us all celebrate responsibly and prioritise safety on our roads,” he said.

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