News
Anti Drugs Fight: Customs CG Calls For Synergy to Clap Down Illicit Drug Trafficking, Others
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…Says Collaboration Key to Success in Anti-Drug Efforts
..As Ogun Area ii Command generated over N15 billion in the first quarter
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has said that collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking and smuggling is important among other agencies dealing with drugs, calling for a strategic synergy with NDLEA NAFDAC to intensify the effort.
He disclosed that in a recent development, Customs has been working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to clamp down on illicit drug importation has yielded a fruitful result.
Adeniyi stated this on Wednesday while addressing journalists during an official visit to Nigeria Customs Area 2 command in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Citing the benefit of collaboration, he noted that the collaboration has led to the seizure of over 200 containers of illicit drugs, which were subsequently destroyed under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He declared that the joint effort has ensured that the drugs do not fall into the wrong hands, stating that Customs has also established structures in border communities to work with local residents, adding that officers should leverage their knowledge of terrain and intelligence to help them conduct more effective operations.
The Comptroller General assured that the agency will continue to work closely with other stakeholders to tackle the menace of drug trafficking.
According to him” My cardinal trust program anchors on collaboration because I’ve always believed that we can get a lot of things done when we collaborate with each other. And I give the basic example is the ongoing clampdown on drugs”.
“Before now, the three major agencies that are involved in the law against drugs are the Customs, NDLEA, and NAFDAC and I discovered that the more we work together closely the more we get results, so when Customs declare a State of emergency in the Airport against the importation of illicit drugs in the country, what I did was to rally the support of NAFDAC and NDLEA and since then that will receive from them, will receive briefings and we have conducted joint operations which have led to seizing of over 200 containers of illicit drugs”.
“We also came together under the coordination of the office of the National Security Adviser to ensure the destruction of those drugs to ensure that they do not get into the wrong hands”.
“This is the same template that we are using in our border communities all our customs command around the border are encouraged to have relationships with members of the communities, and because we operate there, we live with them, they also have knowledge of the fact, they know the terrains where we operate, they also have superior intelligence about what is happening in those places, so we can leverage this intelligence that they provide for us in our operations”.
“I assure you that we have a structure for collaboration, and we are leveraging those structures to ensure that we work in tandem. he submitted”
Speaking on state affairs, the CG commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for leveraging the strategic asset of Ogun State as an industrial hub in Nigeria.
He declared that Governor Abiodun has repositioned the state and maintained its appellation of Gateway state.
“Ogun State is a very strategic place in Nigeria; in terms of strategic location, we all refer to Ogun State as the gateway state into Nigeria, And Ogun State is living up to this appellation. Of course, you know that Ogun State has a very important and strategic border area, border point and then the major points in the Idi Iroko border that we shared with the Republic of Benin because of the strategic closeness to Lagos, also imagined as an industrial hub in the country.
“We now have a state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, leveraging this important asset of a strategic location in Ogun State, and repositioning it for industrial development”
“So we’ve seen several initiatives that have overtaken the facilities, and the infrastructures and programs and, the projects that have been done by the state government to enable the state to harness the benefits and potentials of this strategic location of the state.
“I am here today to assure the governor the government and the good people of the states, that Nigeria Customs Service will continue to remain a very strong partner of our nation towards economic prosperity, using this industry initiative as a pillar”
Meanwhile, in a welcome address, the Customs Controller Area 2 AOB Alade commended the CG for his unwavering support and determination for the development of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He disclosed that the command has strived to uphold the core mandates of the Service by ensuring discipline, integrity, and selfless service to our dear nation.
Alade presented achievements of the command which include, the generation of N15.191.227.503.82 (Fifteen Billion, One
Hundred and Ninety-one Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, eighty-two kobo only) as revenue collected for the first Quarter of 2025.
He noted that the revenue represents about a 40% increase compared to the N9.165.717.162.99 (Nine Billion, One Hundred and Sixty-Five Million, Seven Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty-Two naira and Ninety-Nine kobo) recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
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The Ogun State Government has assured residents of adequate funding and logistics support for the forthcoming measles–rubella vaccination campaign scheduled to commence on January 27 and end on February 5, 2026.
The Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who also chairs the State Task Force on Primary Health Care, gave the assurance during a meeting of the task force held at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
In her remarks, Engr. Salako-Oyedele commended the Ministry of Health, health sector stakeholders, and development partners—particularly UNICEF—for their continued support, including the provision of ambulance boats to enhance healthcare delivery in riverine communities. She praised their efforts in sustaining a resilient primary healthcare system despite existing challenges and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment, as well as Governor Dapo Abiodun’s continued support, to all primary healthcare interventions.
She acknowledgethe d challenges highlighted in the report presented at the meeting and assured that they would be escalated to the Governor for urgent attention. The Deputy Governor also called on religious bodies, Community Development Associations, women groups, the National Orientation Agency, and the media to intensify sensitisation efforts, urging them to leverage social media platforms and influencers to effectively reach parents and young people.
According to her, the state government would do everything necessary to ensure the success of the measles–rubella campaign. “Thfunding requestng has been made, and we are confident it will be approved promptly to enable us to meet our responsibilities in this very intensive exercise,” she said.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, applauded development partners, religious leaders, community-based organisations, and other stakeholders for their consistent collaboration with the state government in strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots level.
She noted that the task force meeting provided an opportunity to review progress across the state’s primary healthcare system and align strategies ahead of the statewide immunisation exercise.
Also presenting at the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola, delivered a detailed report on the board’s achievements and challenges in 2025. He disclosed that most local governments recorded improvements across key health indicators, although some setbacks persisted, largely due to infrastructure and logistics gaps.
Dr Ogunsola further revealed that the measles–rubella immunisation campaign would run for 10 days and target children aged nine months to 14 years, describing it as one of the widest age-range vaccination exercises ever undertaken in the state. He added that over 8,000 health workers would be deployed across schools, health facilities, and communities to ensure full coverage.
Speaking on behalf of development partners, UNICEF representative Mrs Moloku commended the Ogun State Government for its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery, noting that the initiative aligns with the global goal of ending preventable diseases in Africa. She was assured of UNICEF’s continued technical and financial support for the successful implementation of the vaccination campaign.
News
OGUN ASSEMBLY MOVES TO RESOLVE APUNREN LAND DISPUTE WITH MILITARY IN IJEBU-NORTH EAST, IJEBU- EAST LGAs
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Ogun State House of Assembly has assured the Community Leaders and people of Apunren community and other affected villages near Erunwon in Ijebu-North East and part of Ijebu- East Local Government Area that immediate steps would be taken to address the indiscriminate military land acquisition creating tension and apprehension amongst residents in the areas.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, gave the assurance today, while leading other members of the Assembly on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas; pledging that the State legislature would compile and present its findings to the Governor at the state level as well as engage the Legislative and Executive arms of Government at the Federal level to achieve a lasting solution to the matter.
He explained that the land crisis stemmed from the failure to properly gazette and document the earlier review that reduced the portion allocated to the Nigerian Army; while commending the members representing the two affected constituencies, Honourables Oluwaseun Adesanya and Waliu Owode for their efforts and urged the residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding as elected representatives moved to address the matter.
The Speaker also advised all affected communities to formally communicate with the House of Assembly, assuring that lawmakers would deliberate on the matter and adopt a resolution to be communicated to the appropriate authorities for necessary action towards achieving a permanent resolution.
On their part, the members representing the two constituencies, Honourables Adesanya and Owode, assured the people of a lasting resolution; the lawmakers encouraged them to remain calm and law-abiding as they intensified efforts to resolve the dispute.
In his remarks, the State Surveyor-General, Surveyor Oladele Ewulo, stated that his team had conducted an initial assessment of the area and would undertake further investigations and inquiries; noting that the outcome would guide stakeholders toward a peaceful and sustainable resolution.
Addressing the delegation, the Kabiyesi of Apunren Kingdom, Oba Jimson Owode Oyelaja, appealed to the State House of Assembly to intervene on the matter, which he noted had lasted nearly 50 years.
He stressed that Apunren and other affected villages had existed for over 600 years and lamented recent demolitions, loss of lives, destruction of schools, hospitals, houses, and properties allegedly linked to the enforcement of the disputed acquisition.
The monarch urged his people to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, expressing optimism that the visit of the lawmakers signalled an imminent relief and a lasting solution to the long-standing hardship facing the communities.
In a presentation delivered at the commencement of the meeting, Major General S. A. Odunsi (Rtd) explained that the Apunren community was seeking legislative intervention to restore ancestral lands excessively acquired by the military in 1977; noting that although a reduced portion was earlier agreed upon for military use, a 1987 gazette controversially reinstated the larger expanse, thereby plunging the people into decades of uncertainty.
The retired General further appealed to the State House of Assembly to treat the matter with the urgency it required, as the dispute approaches its 50th anniversary; appealing to government to make 2026 a “year of jubilee” for the affected communities.
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Here is the list of candidates nominated for the position of Awujale of Ijebuland.
Prince Adetunji Adeleke
Prince Bello Ayodeji
Princess Oluwakemi Onanuga
Prince Babatunde Alesinloye
Prince Ayodeji Osibogun
Prince Oluwatosin Osunsanya
Prince Abimbola Onabanjo
Prince Adekunle Adeite
Prince Aderibigbe Morounfolu
Prince Adekoya Onakoya
Prince Odedina Taiwo
Prince Gbadebo Ali Adebambo
Prince Ogunwo Adebowale Emmanuel
Prince Abayomi Kadiri
Prince Hassan Adekunle Olubola
Prince Akintola Adewunmi
Prince Olabode Onanuga
Prince Ayo Olugbenga
Prince Ademorin Kuye
Prince Olamilekan Badiru
Prince Odubiyi Olufemi
Prince Abdulrasheed Kukoyi
Prince Ottun Olaseni
Prince Kayode Adenuga
Prince Adeleye Onanuga
Prince Olanrewaju Mabawonku
Prince Adeyemi Akeem
Prince Nurudeen Akeju
Prince Adeleke Adewale
Prince Olaide Ashiru
Prince Oriola Yusuf
Prince Ajibola Odunsi
Prince Aderibigbe Azeez
Prince Oriola Olawale Yusuf
Prince Fatai Adesegun Arowolo
Prince Alatise Saheed
Prince Bakare Adeleke
Prince Olukokun Adedeji
Prince Oludamisi Tuyo
Prince Jide Taiwo
Prince Adeyinka Bakare
Prince Sakiru Ademola
Prince Aderibigbe Adewunmi
Prince Adeleye Abdul
Prince Ademola Kazeem
Prince Sherrifideen Kazeem
Prince Bello Abiodun
Prince Bashorun Akeem Adetola
Prince Oshifuye Oduntan
Prince Bello Tajudeen
Prince Adegboyega Banjoko
Prince Abdulwaheed Shote
Prince Kama’ldeen Abdul
Prince Odejayi Akintunde
Prince Muideen Adeleye Adio
Prince Olalekan Shote
Prince Mustapha Mojeed
Prince Adegbenga Bakare
Prince Adebiyi Adeleye
Prince Okeowo Olusegun Obafemi
Prince Olumoko Qudus
Prince Shote Kazeem Olawale
Prince Adebowale Olufeko
Prince Muizdeen Abimbola
Prince Bamidele Adenuga
Prince Ogidan Adewale
Prince Adefuwape Adegboyega Abimbola
Prince Oduwole Tajudeen
Prince Adelaju Adenuga
Prince Odedina Oluwatobi
Prince Adekunle Adenuga
Prince Sulaimon Odubanjo
Prince Otun Abubakre Taiwo
Prince Olajibu Olalekan Azeez
Prince Abdul Olamilekan
Prince Adeleye Adeyemi
Prince Odedina Olukayode
Prince Osunsanya Oladapo
Prince Abiodun Onanuga
Prince Muftaudeen Abimbola
Prince Kamorudeen Lawal
Prince Abimbola Olusegun
Prince Tajudeen Abimbola
Prince Hammed Babatunde
Five additional names were nominated at the venue. candidates,
Meanwhile, the Olori Ebi Fusengbuwa ruling house and former ICAN President, Otunba Abdul Lateef Owoyemi, has said that anyone displeased with the selection process for the next Awujale should channel grievances to the government, assuring that the kingmakers will not make any mistakes.
He also stated that within a month, there would he a new King in Ijebuland.
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