Chinedu was first arraigned in September 2015 on a one-count charge marked FHC/L/227c/2015 for unlawfully importing 6.250 kilograms of cocaine.

He pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail, but jumped bail midway into trial and remained at large for nearly 10 years.

He was eventually re-arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Tuesday 24th June 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to smuggle 800 grams of cocaine on an inbound Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa.

He was a frequent flyer known for conveying clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey.

Investigation showed that the convict was coming from Turkey on Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria.

Further checks revealed that an accomplice who turned out to be a former professional footballer, Segun George Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport car park to collect the consignment from him.

Hunkarin who had stayed years in Brazil playing for football clubs was promptly tracked and arrested at the car park.

In his statement, Hunkarin claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had only trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia.

Both Chinedu and Hunkarin were subsequently arraigned on a three-count charge marked FHC/L/669C/2025 for unlawful importation of 800grams of cocaine.

Delivering judgment on Friday 24th July 2026, Justice Kakaki sentenced Chinedu to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine for the unlawful importation of 6.250 kilograms of cocaine, and a further two years, also without an option of fine, for conspiring with Hunkarin to unlawfully import 800 grams of cocaine, bringing his total sentence to 22 years.

Hunkarin was sentenced to two years imprisonment on the conspiracy charge, bringing the combined jail terms to 24 years imprisonment.

Reviewing the facts of the case, prosecuting counsel, Barrister Adekunle Adebajo, reminded the court that Chinedu had earlier been arraigned before Justice Salihu Saudi (now retired) in 2015 on the same importation charge but vanished after being granted bail.

Citing a plethora of legal authorities, the NDLEA prosecutor urged the court to sentence the convicts in line with the relevant provisions of the NDLEA Act.

Defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara for Chinedu and Chief Emefo Etudo for Hunkarin, had pleaded with the court for leniency and urged that fine options be considered in lieu of custodial sentences.

The court, however, after a careful review of the submissions, cited authorities and tendered exhibits, sentenced both convicts to prison terms without any option of fine.

Reacting to the conviction, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the judiciary for the judgment, describing it as a reaffirmation of the courts’ commitment to ridding the country of drug trafficking and those who perpetrate it, no matter how long they evade justice.

Marwa also commended the officers, men and women of the agency involved in the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the case, noting that the eventual re-arrest of Chinedu after nearly ten years on the run demonstrated the doggedness, patience and thoroughness of NDLEA operatives in tracking down fugitives and ensuring that no drug trafficker escapes the long arm of the law.

He restated the agency’s resolve to continue working closely with the judiciary and other stakeholders to ensure that persons involved in drug trafficking, regardless of their status or how long they attempt to evade justice, were brought to book.

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Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday 23rd July 2026 following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives.

In the course of investigation, three cargo agents – Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim – who handled the shipment were initially arrested leading to the arrest Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.

Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventually arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.

A 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, also involved in illicit drug trafficking was on Tuesday 21st July arrested at her Surulere, Lagos residence by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday 20th July.

In another interdiction operation at the Lagos airport, a total of 2,240,000,000 pills of Tapentadol 250mg worth over N2.2 billion in street value were recovered from a shipment from India aboard an Air Maroc flight during a joint examination of the cargo on Friday 24th July.

The exercise was based on an intelligence received and processed by NDLEA.

This came on the heels of the seizure of a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK.

The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday 22nd July.

At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, a container of three vehicles used to conceal a total number of 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud weighing 2,388.5kg worth over N7.1 billion in street value, was uncovered during a joint examination of the shipment on Monday 20th July.

A suspect, Mustapha Sani, 30, was on Wednesday 22nd July nabbed by NDLEA operatives on patrol operation at Baure, Safana local government, Katsina State where he was found with 323 rounds of military grade ammunition consisting of 200 pieces of 7.62mm and 123 rounds of 7.6mm neatly concealed.

Another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, 30, was arrested by NDLEA officers on stop and search operation at Jere, along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway where he was found with 73 RLA, 7.62mm ammunition hidden in kegs of red oil.

Both suspects have been handed over to the relevant security agency for further investigation.

In Edo State, raid operations at Ilushi community, Esan South East local government area, on Sunday 19th July, led to the seizure of 1,286kg cannabis and 86kg cannabis seeds from a warehouse while Ojore Onweze, 45, was caught with 60kg skunk and George Agwumede, 30, nabbed with 13kg of the same substance.

With the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Sabon Wuse, Niger State; Government Girls Secondary School, Shekara, Kano; and Otto Primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos State, among others.

While commending the officers and men of DOGI, MMIA, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna, and Katsina commands for the various successful operations, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the agency.

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For millions of Nigerians, the word “tax” often stirs feelings of frustration, confusion, and sometimes even fear. With a complex web of federal, state, and local taxes—many overlapping and inconsistently enforced—ordinary Nigerians and small business owners have long struggled to navigate the system. When President Bola Tinubu’s administration unveiled the new Tax Reform Bill, hopes soared that this would finally be the moment of relief: a simpler, fairer, and more transparent tax system that puts money back into the pockets of families and empowers small businesses to thrive.

But as the bill moves from promise to policy, many Nigerians are asking: Is this tax relief real, or just political rhetoric? This article explores what the Tax Reform Bill means for everyday Nigerians and SMEs, unpacking the benefits, the concerns, and what to expect as the reforms take shape.

What’s New in the Tax Reform Bill?

The Tax Reform Bill is ambitious. It aims to overhaul Nigeria’s tax landscape by consolidating over 50 different taxes and levies, harmonizing tax administration across federal, state, and local governments, and simplifying compliance. But for the average Nigerian and small business owner, some provisions stand out as potentially transformative:

• Higher Income Tax Exemption Thresholds: The bill raises the tax-free income threshold, meaning low-income earners will pay less or no personal income tax. This is designed to ease the burden on millions of Nigerians living on modest wages.
• VAT Exemptions on Basic Goods and Services: Essential items like food staples, medical products, and educational materials are exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT), aiming to reduce the cost of living.
• Simplified Tax Filing for SMEs: Micro and small businesses will benefit from simplified tax filing procedures and potentially lower tax rates, making it easier to comply without expensive accountants.
• Penalties for Multiple Taxation: The bill seeks to end the practice where businesses and individuals are taxed multiple times by different government tiers for the same activity, a common complaint among traders and entrepreneurs.

These changes, if fully implemented, could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s tax system—one that is more inclusive and less burdensome for the majority.

The Promised Benefits: More Money in Your Pocket

At its core, the Tax Reform Bill promises to put more money back in the hands of Nigerians. For low-income earners, the raised tax exemption means they keep more of their hard-earned salary. For families struggling with rising prices, VAT exemptions on essentials could ease the pinch on monthly expenses.

Small business owners, who form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, stand to gain from simplified tax processes and relief from multiple taxation. This could translate into more capital to reinvest, hire staff, or expand operations. The government argues that by making tax compliance easier and fairer, more businesses will formalize, boosting overall economic growth and job creation.

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Speaking at a recent press briefing, the Minister of Finance said, “This reform is about fairness and growth. We want every Nigerian to feel the benefit of paying taxes—not as a burden, but as a contribution to building a stronger nation.”

Skepticism and Real-World Concerns

Despite the optimism, skepticism runs deep among many Nigerians, especially small business owners and informal sector workers who have borne the brunt of Nigeria’s fragmented tax system.

One major concern is whether state and local governments will fully comply with the harmonization efforts. Many states rely heavily on local taxes for revenue and have historically resisted federal attempts to limit their taxing powers. Traders in markets across Lagos and Kano have shared stories of being taxed repeatedly by different authorities, and worry that this will continue despite the new law.

Another challenge is the digital compliance requirement. The reform encourages or mandates digital tax filing and payment systems, which could be difficult for rural businesses or those without reliable internet access. For many artisans, market traders, and small shop owners, navigating online portals and electronic payments is unfamiliar territory.

There is also concern that while the bill simplifies some taxes, it may introduce new compliance requirements that could overwhelm small businesses without proper support or education.

Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have been abuzz with mixed reactions under hashtags like #TaxReformNG. Some users celebrate the potential relief, while others share cautionary tales of past reforms that failed to reach the grassroots.

Voices from the Ground: Stories of Hope and Hesitation

To understand the real impact, I spoke with a few Nigerians across different walks of life:

Aisha, a Lagos market trader:

“I heard about the tax changes, but I’m not sure how it will affect me. I pay small taxes to different people every day. If the government really stops the multiple taxes, that will be a blessing. But I’m worried about using the internet to file taxes—I don’t have a smartphone.”

Emeka, a small business owner in Abuja:

“The simplified filing process sounds good. Right now, I spend a lot on accountants just to keep up with tax requirements. If this reform cuts costs and makes it easier, I can invest more in my business. But the government must ensure the rules are clear and consistent.”

Chinedu, a tax consultant:

“The reform is a step in the right direction, especially raising the tax exemption threshold and VAT exemptions. However, implementation will be key. Without proper education and infrastructure, many small businesses might still struggle with compliance.”

What to Watch: Implementation and Next Steps

The Tax Reform Bill’s success depends heavily on effective implementation. Nigerians should watch for:

• Clear guidelines and communication from tax authorities on how individuals and businesses can comply.
• Capacity building and support programmes to help small businesses and informal sector workers transition to digital tax systems.
• Enforcement of penalties for multiple taxation, ensuring state and local governments adhere to the harmonized tax regime.
• Transparency and accountability in how tax revenues are used, to build trust and encourage voluntary compliance.

For Nigerian families and SMEs, now is the time to get informed. Check eligibility for tax exemptions, prepare necessary documentation, and seek advice from trusted professionals. The government’s tax portals and local tax offices should be your first stop for accurate information.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The new Tax Reform Bill holds great promise to lighten the tax burden on ordinary Nigerians and empower small businesses—if it is implemented with transparency, fairness, and inclusivity. But the journey from law to lived reality will require vigilance, engagement, and collective effort.

As Nigerians, we must demand clarity and accountability from our leaders. We must share our experiences—both successes and challenges—to ensure the reform benefits all, not just a few.

Whether you are a market trader, a small business owner, or a salaried worker, your voice matters. Stay informed, participate in public discussions, and hold tax authorities accountable. Together, we can turn tax reform from rhetoric into real relief that fuels nation-building and shared prosperity.

The time to act is now. Let’s make this reform work—for us, for our businesses, and for Nigeria’s future.

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Chinedu who is a frequent flyer known for conveying clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey, was the first to be arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport on Tuesday 24th June 2025.

A search of his carry-on bag revealed 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grammes were concealed therein.

Investigation showed that the suspect was coming from Turkey on Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria.

Further checks revealed that an accomplice who turned out to be the former professional footballer, Segun Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport car park to collect the consignment from him.

Hunkarin who had stayed years in Brazil playing for football clubs was promptly tracked and arrested at the car park.

In his statement, Hunkarin claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had only trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia but has never brought any to Nigeria.

Another Europe based businessman Amen Okoro Godstime was on Friday 27th June arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport while attempting to traffic 5,000 pills of tramadol 225mg packaged as known malaria drugs such as Lonart, Amatem and Aluktem to Spain.

He was intercepted at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the airport during the outward clearance of passengers on Royal Air Maroc flight to Spain through Casablanca.

Okoro who is into freight and logistics business between Europe and Nigeria claimed that on his arrival in Spain, he would join a train to France where he resides and from there send the tramadol consignment to Italy for retailing.

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At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu, NDLEA operatives on Friday, 27th June intercepted a Maputo, Mozambique based bar attendant Ezenwaka Chibuzor Emmanuel.

A search of his luggage led to the discovery of 17 cardboard size parcels of methamphetamine weighing 17.500 kilogrammes and three parcels of cocaine weighing 3.050 kilograms.

The 38-year-old suspect was coming from Johannesburg, South Africa via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Ethiopian Airlines flight when he was interdicted and subjected to a search during which the illicit drugs concealed in bed sheets packed in his bags were discovered.

Another passenger on board the same Ethiopian Airlines flight, 54-year-old Azu Follygan Kpodar, was also intercepted at the Enugu airport by NDLEA operatives.

When Azu, who arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil, was searched, a liquid soap plastic container marked YPE, was discovered in his luggage.

The substance was promptly taken for analysis at the NDLEA forensic and chemical laboratory, Enugu where the substance tested positive to cocaine.

The substance which turned out to be liquid cocaine weighed 1.250kg.

The suspect who is a toy seller in Brinquedo, Sao Paulo,  Brazil, claimed he purchased the substance while shopping for his wedding ceremony in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Seme border area of Badagry in Lagos on Tuesday 24th June intercepted a 26-year-old Beninese Vode Jean-Luck while trying to smuggle 69 balls of skunk, a strain of cannabis with a gross weight of 29.5kg, from Benin Republic into Nigeria.

In Kwara State, a notorious drug dealer Mary Bolanle Oladele (a.k.a Iya Nafi) was arrested on Wednesday, 25th June when NDLEA operatives raided her base in Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area where various quantities of skunk, tramadol and flunitrazepam were recovered from her.

A 72-year-old grandma, Mrs. Christy Ejaro, was on Tuesday, 24th June arrested by NDLEA operatives at Niger CAT area of Warri, Delta state.

Several sachets of skunk packaged in retail size were recovered from her.

The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued across the country in the past week.

Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Yakubawa Model Primary School, Zango, Katsina; Police Secondary School, Igboora, Oyo; Divine Favour International Group of Schools, Bende LGA, Abia; Command Day Secondary School, Ojoo, Ibadan; Mater Dei College, Udi, Enugu; Community Girls Secondary School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa; and Fiyinfolu High School, Ikole Ekiti, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, AIIA, Delta, Kwara, and Seme commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

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The hum of Lagos traffic was a symphony Chinedu hadn’t heard in two decades. He’d built a successful life in London, his children fluent in British accents, but a persistent pull, like an invisible thread, always tugged him back. This trip, however, wasn’t just for family visits. It was for a vision. As he drove past burgeoning construction sites, towering glass structures rising amidst the city’s sprawl, a flicker of recognition turned into a burning conviction. This wasn’t just the Nigeria he left; it was a Nigeria on the cusp of something new, something he could be a part of. He saw not just concrete and steel, but opportunity, legacy, and a tangible connection to the land that shaped him.

Chinedu’s story isn’t unique. Across the globe, from Houston to Dubai, Toronto to his own London, countless Nigerians are feeling that same pull, translating their hard-earned foreign funds into tangible investments back home. This quiet yet profound revolution is reshaping Nigeria’s real estate sector, making the “Foreign Funds, Local Lands” phenomenon a powerful force that’s transforming our cities and communities.

Nigeria, a nation pulsating with vibrant energy and boundless potential, is experiencing a quiet yet profound revolution in its real estate sector. This transformation isn’t solely driven by local developers or government initiatives; it’s increasingly fueled by a powerful, often overlooked force: the Nigerian diaspora. From London to Houston, Dubai to Toronto, Nigerians abroad are not just sending remittances for family upkeep; they are strategically investing in the very fabric of their homeland, creating a captivating “Foreign Funds, Local Lands” phenomenon that is reshaping our cities and communities.

For decades, the narrative around diaspora contributions has largely focused on consumption – essential, undoubtedly, but often overshadowed by the sheer scale of foreign exchange inflows. Today, however, a significant portion of these funds are finding its way into concrete, bricks, and mortar. This isn’t just about owning a piece of home; it’s about strategic investment, wealth creation, and a deep-seated connection to roots.

Think of the gleaming new estates sprouting up in Lagos, Abuja, and even emerging cities like Ibadan and Port Harcourt. While local demand remains robust, a substantial segment of buyers for these premium properties are Nigerians living abroad. They are drawn by the promise of attractive returns, the stability of property as an asset, and the profound emotional satisfaction of contributing to Nigeria’s development.

The journey of nation-building is a collective one, and your unique perspective, global exposure, and unwavering commitment are invaluable assets. Continue to look homewards, not just with nostalgia, but with vision and purpose.

Global Investors, Nigerian Homes: A Real Estate Revolution

This “Global Investors, Nigerian Homes” trend is having a multi-faceted impact:

Fueling Development: The influx of diaspora funds provides critical capital for developers, enabling the construction of modern housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure that otherwise might be stalled. This accelerates urbanisation and improves the overall quality of living.

Driving Innovation and Quality: With international exposure, diaspora investors often demand higher standards of construction, design, and amenities. This pressure is pushing local developers to innovate, adopt the best global practices, and deliver properties that rival those found in developed nations.

Stabilising the Market: While foreign direct investment from non-Nigerians is also present, the diaspora offers a unique kind of stability. Their investments are often long-term, driven by both financial and sentimental ties, making them less susceptible to short-term market fluctuations.

Creating Jobs and Economic Growth: The entire property value chain – from construction workers and architects to real estate agents and suppliers – benefits immensely from this sustained investment, generating employment and stimulating local economies.

Bridging the Housing Deficit: While challenges remain, diaspora investments are playing a role in addressing Nigeria’s significant housing deficit, particularly in the middle and high-income segments.

Foreign Investment’s Footprint on Nigeria’s Property Market

Of course, this real estate revolution isn’t without its complexities. Issues around land ownership, legal frameworks, and transparency still need continuous improvement to further unlock the market’s full potential and ensure the safety of these crucial investments. However, the sheer momentum and the tangible impact of “Foreign Investment’s Footprint on Nigeria’s Property Market” are undeniable.

What we are witnessing is more than just a transaction; it’s a powerful affirmation of faith in Nigeria’s future. The diaspora, once seen primarily as a source of remittances for consumption, has now emerged as a formidable economic force, actively shaping the landscape of our nation. Their funds, now firmly planted in local lands, are not just building homes; they are building bridges, fostering growth, and writing a new, exciting chapter in Nigeria’s development story. This connection, born of shared heritage and a vision for prosperity, is truly something to behold.

Nigeria’s diaspora is a powerhouse, already contributing significantly through remittances and, as we’ve discussed, increasingly through real estate investments. To truly unleash their full potential and accelerate national growth, we need to move beyond these traditional avenues and implement a more comprehensive, strategic approach.

Here’s how else Nigeria can harness this incredible diaspora energy:

Facilitate Diversified Sectoral Investments

Targeted Investment Funds: Establish or promote specialized diaspora investment funds that pool capital for specific sectors like agriculture (agro-processing), technology (startups, tech hubs), healthcare (hospitals, medical tourism), renewable energy projects, and manufacturing. These funds can offer tiered investment options, making them accessible to a wider range of diaspora members.

Sector-Specific Incentives: Offer tailored tax holidays, duty waivers on imported equipment for certain industries, and preferential access to land or financing for diaspora-led investments in priority sectors.

Digital Investment Platforms: Develop secure, user-friendly digital platforms that allow diaspora members to easily discover, evaluate, and invest in verified projects and businesses across various sectors, ensuring transparency and reducing perceived risks.

Leverage Human Capital and Expertise

Knowledge Transfer Programs: Create structured programmes that facilitate the transfer of skills, knowledge, and best practices. This could involve:

“Brain Gain” Initiatives: Encourage retired or mid-career professionals to return for short-term projects, mentorship roles, or to fill critical skill gaps in public and private sectors.

Virtual Mentorship Networks: Establish online platforms connecting diaspora professionals with Nigerian students, young entrepreneurs, and professionals for mentorship, guidance, and training.

Diaspora Professional Bodies: Empower and collaborate with Nigerian professional associations abroad (e.g., Nigerian doctors in the UK, Nigerian engineers in the US) to contribute to policy development, curriculum design, and professional development back home.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Diaspora-led Start-up Accelerators: Support accelerators and incubators in Nigeria that are either founded by or heavily involve diaspora expertise, fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem.

Innovation Challenges: Launch national challenges inviting diaspora to propose solutions to Nigeria’s pressing problems (e.g., waste management, power supply, digital literacy), with seed funding and mentorship for winning ideas.

Enhance Engagement and Build Trust

Streamlined Bureaucracy: Implement robust reforms to simplify business registration, property acquisition, and investment approval processes. A “one-stop shop” for diaspora investors, with dedicated liaison officers, can significantly reduce frustration.

Protection of Investments: Strengthen legal frameworks and ensure the swift and fair resolution of disputes. Creating a strong, independent judiciary and clear land registries will build confidence among potential investors.

Diaspora Investment Summits and Roadshows: Regularly host high-profile investment summits both in Nigeria and in major diaspora cities to showcase opportunities, connect investors with local partners, and address concerns directly.

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Diaspora Bonds: Regularly issue diaspora bonds with attractive interest rates and clear utilization of funds (e.g., for specific infrastructure projects), allowing smaller investors to contribute collectively.

Dual Citizenship and Political Engagement: While complex, facilitating dual citizenship and considering avenues for diaspora participation in political processes (e.g., diaspora voting) can deepen their sense of belonging and commitment.

Improve Data and Communication

Diaspora Mapping and Skills Audit: Conduct a comprehensive mapping of the Nigerian diaspora, identifying their geographical spread, professional skills, investment interests, and philanthropic activities. This data is crucial for targeted engagement.

Consistent Communication Channels: Establish and maintain reliable communication channels between the Nigerian government, its agencies (like NiDCOM), and diaspora communities to share information, updates, and address concerns. This includes online portals, newsletters, and social media.

Showcase Success Stories: Publicize successful diaspora-led investments and initiatives through various media, inspiring others and demonstrating the viability of investing in Nigeria.

Your Enduring Legacy: A Call to the Diaspora

To every son and daughter scattered across continents, who carries a piece of home in their heart, your impact resonates far beyond the remittances that sustain families. You are not just a source of foreign exchange; you are a vibrant, dynamic force shaping the very future of our homeland. Whether through investing in real estate, nurturing new businesses, transferring invaluable skills, or simply lending your voice to advocate for progress, your contributions are tangible, transformative, and deeply appreciated.

The journey of nation-building is a collective one, and your unique perspective, global exposure, and unwavering commitment are invaluable assets. Continue to look homewards, not just with nostalgia, but with vision and purpose. Your engagement is building bridges, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for generations to come. Your legacy is being etched not just in financial ledgers, but in the very fabric of our communities, strengthening the bonds that tie us all to the land we call home. We are building together, and your role is indispensable.

The post The Diaspora-driven property shake-up in Nigeria appeared first on Frontpageng.

The agency intercepted them and arrested those behind the bids.

Top on the list of those so far arrested in connection with the seizures is a Nigerian based in Athens, Greece, Iwuozor Edward Chinedu.

He was debarked from an Ethiopian airline flight on Friday, February 3 after officers in the tarmac team of NDLEA intercepted two bags during a secondary check exercise at the foot of the aircraft.

When the bags were searched in the presence of Chinedu and other airport stakeholders, two big pellets wrapped with foil papers and some sprinkles of pepper were recovered from each of the two sides of one of the bags.

The pellets were used to construct false walls at the sides of the bag.

The two parcels contained substances that tested positive to cocaine and heroin with a gross weight of 1.30kgs and 900grams respectively.

During preliminary interview, Chinedu claimed he came to Nigeria three months ago to do a surgery, which he was not comfortable doing in Athens.

He further claimed he was given the bag to deliver in Greece for a fee of N2,000,000.

Similarly, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the airport on Monday, January 30, arrested a pregnant woman, Mrs. Sylvester Gloria Onome after 800grams of skunk were discovered concealed in two small radio sets she was sending to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

On the same day, operatives also intercepted a consignment going to Congo Kinshasa, containing 111 bottles of body cream that were used to conceal 24.50kgs of ephedrine, a chemical precursor and active ingredient to produce methamphetamine.

The cargo was later traced to a trader at Alaba Trade Fair complex, Ojo area of Lagos, Onyekachukwu Uduekwelu, after the initial arrest of two freight agents.

Another housewife, Mrs. Okpara Chizoba Victoria, was arrested at her residence at 37 Obashola Street, Ijesha area of Lagos on Friday, January 27 following the seizure of 300grams of skunk hidden in a bag of crayfish she was sending to Dubai, UAE through a freight agent.

In the same vein, operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the airport on Thursday, January 26 intercepted a sack of new clothes going to Sierra Leone.

During a thorough search of the consignment, a parcel of white crystalline substance that tested positive to methamphetamine with a gross weight of 1kg, as well as 300grams of skunk and 100grams ecstasy (MDMA) were recovered.

A freight agent, Mfonabasi Victor Joseph, was already arrested in connection with the seizure.

No fewer than 255,500 pills of tramadol and diazepam were recovered from an Italy based suspect, Duru Josephat, who concealed the drugs in two of the bags he was travelling with to Milan, Italy on an Ethiopian airline flight.

He confessed he bought the drugs in Onitsha, Anambra State and was taking them to Italy to sell.

Barely a month after operatives at the Tincan seaport intercepted a consignment of 24.5kgs of cannabis indica concealed in used vehicles imported from Canada, they have again seized 75.75kgs of the same substance, which came from Montreal, Canada, hidden in a container of four used vehicles with number MSCU 5336680.

Coincidentally, the consignment has also been traced to a suspect already in custody in connection with the earlier seizure, Steve Adigwe, and his accomplice, Cedrick Maduweke, who is still on the run.

In Bauchi State, a suspect, Clement Ekweozor, was nabbed at Rafin Zurfi area, Bauchi town with 28,088 pills of tramadol and other opioids, while 12,000 capsules of the same drug were among others recovered from four suspects when their commercial bus marked UGH 978 KS was intercepted at Koka Junction, Asaba, Delta State, by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday, January 1.

A 40-year-old secondary school teacher, Sani Isah, was arrested by operatives at a house in Jekadefari area of Gombe on Thursday, January 2 for dealing in new psychoactive substance, Akuskura.

2,198 bottles of the substance concealed in six bags were recovered from him while he claimed to have started the illicit business since 2018.

In Ogun State, 190kgs of cannabis were recovered from a dealer, Emmanuel Ibrahim, in Lafenwa area of Abeokuta following credible intelligence, while three suspects – Mohd Sani Alasan, Yusif Musa and Musa Musa – were arrested at Maidile area of Kano with 2,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup.

Another dealer, Bako Ibrahim, 55, was also arrested on Saturday, February 4, in Sharada area of Kano with 420 blocks of cannabis weighing 282kgs.

Another dealer of the same substance, Akeem Azeez, 39, was nabbed with 612kgs recovered from him in Akure, Ondo State.

Following a follow up operation in Minna, Niger State, operatives of the Kogi State command of the agency now have in their custody a suspect, Michael Ikechukwu Ofili, 30, over the interception of his consignment containing 106,800 pills of tramadol sent to him from Onitsha, Anambra State, along Okene-Lokoja highway.

While appreciating the efforts and commitment of the officers, men and women of the MMIA, Tincan, Bauchi, Delta, Gombe, Ogun, Kano, Ondo and Kogi State commands of the agency towards ridding Nigeria of the menace of illicit drugs, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across the country not to relent.

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They arrived Nigeria Friday night.

They were officially received on Saturday by the Secretary of NIDCOM, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, on behalf of the chairman of the commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Dr. Bassi urged the two Nigerians (students) to always be of good behaviour wherever and whenever they might find themselves by obeying the laws of their country of  stay.

Bassi commended the Federal Government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Geofrey Onyeama, the Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary and all Mission staff for the humane and prompt response to the plight of the two Nigerians.

Furthermore, the NIDCOM  Secretary commended the timely and untiring efforts and energy put into ensuring their release and return home by Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Meanwhile, Uchenna and Chinedu after narrating their ordeals which include language barrier, harsh and hostile treatment and camp conditions as well as feeding said they were however overwhelmed with joy to be back home.

“We are very very very happy to be back home to Nigeria. There is no country better than Nigeria especially in view of the freedom we enjoy here.

“We want to thank especially Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa. She is indeed a mother. That woman is so so kind.

“The way she spoke to us on telephone from Nigeria when were in camp in Bosnia was very encouraging, we can’t thank her enough; she put us in hotel and fed us very well here in Abuja,” they said.

The two Nigerians were also appreciative of the quick intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary and all Embassy staff in Budapest.

It could be recalled that the duo of Uchenna and Chinedu were in Croatia for the International University Table Tennis Tournament but were arrested while on a walk out in the capital for their inability to present supporting documents (which they claimed were in their hotel rooms) and were transferred to Bosnia-Herzegovina Border Camp where migrants are processed.

They were arrested on November 16, 2019 but released and back home December 21, 2019.

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