Author: GANUX

Ghana arrests Nigerian drug kingpin, seizes $2.1m cocaine, heroin

By Hannah Johnson

The Narcotics Control Commission in Ghana has arrested a suspected Nigerian drug kingpin, Uchechukwu Chima, in an intelligence-led raid at his hideout in Accra.

The 56-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, following the discovery of 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin, with an estimated street value of $2.1 million.

The acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations at NACOC, Francis Amoah, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 19.

According to the statement, field tests confirmed the seized substances as cocaine and heroin.

Authorities believe Chima has been a key player in previous drug-related seizures and arrests in the country.

The statement read, “An intelligence led operation by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, resulted in the arrest of a 56 year old Nigerian, Uchechukwu Chima at Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra.

“A search conducted by the NACOC team at the suspect’s hideout uncovered substances suspected to be narcotic drugs. Field tests conducted on the suspected substance proved positive for cocaine and heroin, both narcotic drugs. The suspected narcotic substances, with a total weight of about 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin, are estimated at a street value of US$2.1 Million

“The suspect, Uchechukwu Chima who has been a target for NACOC for some time now, is noted to be the brain behind some seizures/arrests made by NACOC in the past. NACOC by this seizure and arrest, has taken this substantial quantity of drugs from the street, saving millions of lives of people who would have otherwise perished from abusing these hard drugs.

“NACOC remains committed to making Ghana an unprofitable destination for drug trafficking and thus protecting the safety and well-being of all Ghanaians and the international community.”

JUST IN: Japan beat Bahrain 2-0, emerge first to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Japan (PC: FIFA, X)

By Makua Ubanagu

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo gave them a 2-0 win over Bahrain on Thursday.

The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until Crystal Palace forward Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute.

Kubo added another in the 87th minute as Japan punched their ticket to next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It will be their eighth straight World Cup appearance.

Australia’s 5-1 home win over Indonesia earlier in the evening meant Japan would have clinched their place even with a draw.

But Kamada made sure they did it in style in front of an expectant crowd of just under 60,000.

He latched onto Kubo’s reverse pass and dispatched the ball past Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla just three minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Real Sociedad’s Kubo added some extra gloss to the night with a left-footed shot from a tight angle.

Japan’s players sprinted onto the pitch at the final whistle and celebrated with the home supporters.

Japan have been in unstoppable form in the Asian third round of qualifiers and went into the game having won five and drawn one of their games so far.

Coach Hajime Moriyasu started with an experienced line-up featuring Premier League talent in Liverpool’s Wataru Endo and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.

Captain Endo thought he had given his team the lead in the ninth minute when he rammed home a loose ball in the box, only for the goal to be disallowed by VAR.

Japan continued to press for the opener but Bahrain had several dangerous raids on the counterattack and Komail Al Aswad should have done better just after the half-hour mark.

Japan were also wasteful and Mitoma blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy in first-half injury time.

Moriyasu shuffled his pack midway through the second half, bringing on Kamada and Junya Ito for Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan.

The impact was immediate as Kamada gave Japan the lead with his ninth goal for his country.

Kubo went close to adding another with a curling shot that Lutfalla clawed away with five minutes remaining.

But the attacker got his goal with time running out as Japan made sure of the win, and with it a place in North America.

AFP

 

JUST IN: Senate approves Rivers emergency rule

Senate

By Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis

The Senate on Thursday approved the proclamation of state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.

The resolution was taken at Thursday’s closed-door session of the legislators to deliberate on the declaration and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and other elected officials.

The closed session was announced after Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read a letter from Tinubu at plenary on Thursday.

Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, subsequently moved a motion for a closed session in pursuant to Order 135 of the Senate rules.

The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro.

More details shortly…

Barca to stay at Olympic stadium as Camp Nou work continues

Barcelona’s Spanish defender #24 Eric Garcia celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Spanish league football match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville on February 9, 2025. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)

Barcelona will play the rest of their home matches this season at the Olympic stadium while work continues on their Camp Nou rebuild, the club told AFP Thursday.

The La Liga leaders had hoped to return to their stadium before the end of the season, after already pushing back plans to play in the Camp Nou before the end of 2024.

Barcelona told club members Thursday that they could buy tickets for the remaining matches in La Liga and the Champions League at their temporary Olympic stadium home, where the Catalans have played since the 2023-24 season.

The Camp Nou is expected to have a capacity of over 60,000 when it is first reopened, which is now due to be next season.

Work is expected to finish in the summer of 2026, with the expanded stadium having space for 105,000 fans.

The Camp Nou rebuild began in June 2023 but was slowed by permit complications and complaints over working conditions among other factors.

AFP

State of Emergency: Work in interest of Rivers people, Peter Obi tells NASS

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has called on the National Assembly to prioritise the interest of the people of Rivers State when considering the state of emergency imposed by President Bola Tinubu.

Obi made the call in an open letter to the leadership of the legislative body on Thursday, urging them to prevent potential tyranny and ensuring that the executive branch operates within the bounds of the law.

Recall that President Tinubu had on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Gov Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and twenty-seven (27) members of the state assembly for an initial period of six months. He further appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as sole administrator.

The letter reads, “Open letter to the Senate President, H.E. Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass

“Your Excellencies, I am moved to come to you, the heads of our legislative branch, in this form because of the present critical situation in the country that needs your urgent and vital intervention to save our democracy.
“President Bola Tinubu’s Tuesday intervention in the ongoing Rivers State political crisis through a declaration of a state of Emergency that led to the removal of Governor Similaya Fubara .

“This is clearly an ultra vires action capable of fostering a culture of Impunity which your arm of government, the Legislature, is established to forestall.

“The legislature checks potential executive abuse of power through many means including the ability to override executive actions through vetoes.

“The legislature’s override of executive actions, such as vetoes of legislation, demonstrate its power to check possible abuse of executive’s authority.

“The separation of powers, where the legislative, executive, and judicial branches each have distinct functions and powers, is a fundamental principle of democracy designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant.

“The legislature’s role in checking possible executive abuses or excesses is crucial for maintaining a balanced and accountable government, preventing potential tyranny and ensuring that the executive branch operates within the bounds of the law.

“This situation throws a huge challenge on the two of you as the heads of the legislative arm of the country.

“I urge you, therefore, to take a dispassionate look at the situation in Rivers State and ensure that you deploy your arm of government properly in the interest of the people of Rivers State and our democracy.
“Nigerians and all lovers of democracy globally are looking up to you to correct this anomaly and show that you operate within the tenets of genuine democracy.

“I pray God to direct you alright in the interest of all Nigerians and our nation.

“Accept my due regard for your high esteem.”

 

One officer killed as Police neutralise 12 bandits in Benue

The Police Command in Benue says it has neutralised 12 bandits terrorising the Buruku Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Makurdi.

Anene said that the command unfortunately lost one of its personnel, Insp. Terfa Anyiatse, during an exchange of gunfire with the bandits.

The PPRO stated that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Steve Yabanet, had on March 6 ordered tactical commanders and divisional police officers to clamp down on criminals in the state.

Anene said that the order became necessary when the command noticed a regrouping of criminal gangs.

She said that following the directives, the Operation Zenda Joint Taskforce embarked on raids across the state.

According to her, on March 19, while some of the operatives were on their way to a criminal hideout at Agwabi, Tombo Ward, Buruku LGA, they ran into an ambush laid by the bandits who engaged the police in a fierce gun duel.

“The police countered the ambush with superior firepower that subdued the gang.

“At the end of the crossfire, 12 bandits were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“The bandits were taken to a hospital where they were confirmed dead and the corpses deposited at the hospital mortuary.

“Items recovered from them include three AK-47 rifles, six rounds of live ammunition, camouflage uniforms and assorted charms.

“Unfortunately, one of the police team members, Insp. Terfa Anyiatse, sustained a gunshot injury and was eventually confirmed dead by a doctor. His corpse has also been deposited at the morgue,” she said.

The CP commiserated with family and friends of the deceased officer and prayed for the repose of his soul.

He also extolled the courage of the operatives involved in the operation.

“Similarly, operations carried out around Daudu and Makurdi by various divisions led to the recovery of seven locally made pistols and the arrest of five suspected robbers and 32 suspected cultists,” she added.

 

 

Abuja truck explosion: Agency urges blood donation for victims

By Lara Adejoro

The National Blood Service Agency has called on Nigerians, particularly residents of the Federal Capital Territory to donate blood to support victims of the tanker explosion that occurred on the Aya-Karu expressway, Abuja.

The NBSA, in a statement on Thursday signed by its Director General, Prof Saleh Yuguda, said the incident resulted in multiple casualties, many of whom require immediate blood transfusions.

Yuguda stated that hospitals and emergency response teams are working tirelessly to save lives, but an adequate blood supply is crucial to their efforts.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency, the incident involved a Compressed Natural Gas truck that lost control and crashed into another truck along AYA-Karu expressway on Wednesday at about 7pm.

NEMA said six fatalities were recorded, 18 vehicles burnt, but the number of injured victims are yet to determined.

It added that the injured victims were taken to National Hospital, State House Clinic, Karu General Hospital, and Customs Clinic, Karu for medical attention.

Meanwhile, the NBSA said, “We urge all eligible donors to visit designated blood donation centres and hospitals across the FCT to make voluntary blood donations. Your generosity can make the difference between life and death for those in critical condition.

” For further inquiries and directions to the nearest donation centers, please contact the National Blood Service Agency at 39 Abidjan Street , Zone Wuse or call 07088370905. Together, we can save lives.”

LIST: Finland tops Global Happiness index as Nigeria ranks 105th

By Olaniyi Apanp

As the world marks the International Day of Happiness, Nigeria has been ranked 105th out of 147 countries in the latest Global Happiness Report. The country also sits in tenth position among African nations.

The report, released on Thursday by the Global Happiness Council, evaluates happiness levels based on individuals’ assessments of their lives.

Finland retained its spot as the world’s happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, while the United States and the United Kingdom dropped further down the rankings, placing 23rd and 24th, respectively—the lowest positions ever recorded for both nations.

In Africa, Libya emerged as the highest-ranked country, securing 79th place globally.

The ranking is based on a three-year average of survey responses measuring factors such as social support, income levels, freedom, generosity, and corruption perception.

Top 10 Happiest Countries

  1. Finland
  2. Denmark
  3. Iceland
  4. Sweden
  5. Netherlands
  6. Costa Rica
  7. Norway
  8. Israel
  9. Luxembourg
  10. Mexico

  1. Nigeria

Global football heats up as UEFA, World Cup qualifiers deliver thrilling matches

UEFA Nations League (CREDIT: UEFA I X)

By Makua Ubanagu

Football fans across the globe are in for a thrilling Thursday as both the UEFA Nations League and the CAF World Cup Qualification matches promise high-stakes action.

The UEFA Nations League quarterfinals will see some of Europe’s footballing giants battle for a place in the semi-finals.

The Netherlands will take on Spain at 20:45, while Croatia faces a tough test against France at the same time.

Elsewhere, Denmark will lock horns with Portugal, and Italy will go head-to-head with Germany in another highly anticipated clash.

In addition to the quarterfinals, the UEFA Nations League will also feature relegation and promotion matches across different leagues.

In League B, Armenia will play against Georgia at 18:00, followed by Kosovo vs. Iceland, Bulgaria vs. Ireland, and Slovakia vs. Slovenia at 20:45.

Meanwhile, League A’s relegation and promotion battles will see Turkey face Hungary at 18:00, while Ukraine will take on Belgium, Austria will battle Serbia, and Greece will meet Scotland at 20:45.

On the African front, the CAF World Cup Qualification group stage continues with crucial encounters.

The day kicks off with Mozambique facing Uganda at 14:00. Later, Zimbabwe will host Benin at 17:00, while Malawi takes on Namibia at the same time.

Sierra Leone will play against Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde will challenge Mauritius, both at 17:00.

In the evening fixtures, Gambia will square off against Kenya at 20:00, with Gabon facing Seychelles and Libya battling Angola at the same time.

The final match of the day will see Comoros take on Mali at 22:00.

NJC dismisses reports of Nnamdi Kanu’s release, repatriation

IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

By Deborah Musa

The National Judicial Council has disclaimed reports that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been released and repatriated back to Kenya.

NJC in a statement signed by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, on Thursday in Abuja, emphasised that the purported report is a fabrication and a figment of the writers’ imagination.

The council clarified that while the release is attributed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, there is no court decision from her to substantiate the claim.

Kanu is currently facing a seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.

He was first arrested on October 14, 2015, following his return to Nigeria from the UK. He was later granted bail in 2017 on health grounds after being detained at the Kuje Correctional Facility.

However, Kanu jumped bail and returned to the United Kingdom. He was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to Nigeria, where he has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services till date.

Kanu’s trial, which was briefly stalled due to his demand for a change in his trial judge, is set to continue on Friday, March 21, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The statement read, “The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to media reports that the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Council, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, has ordered the release of the detained Nnamdi Kanu and his repatriation to Kenya.

“The council wishes to state that the media report is false and a figment of the writer’s imagination, as there are no court proceedings, decisions, or judgments where such statements ascribed to His Lordship were made.

“The council categorically emphasizes that the Hon. CJN neither presided over any case involving Kanu at the apex court, where jurisdiction issues were argued, nor made any such pronouncement.”

The council added that the CJN never wrote any formal letter to the Kenyan Government or High Commission apologising for the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu or his trial. It urged members of the public to disregard the fake story.

 

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