Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a skit maker, Sunday Joshua, popularly known on social media as De-General, following the raid of a notorious drug joint at Orchid Estate, Lekki area of Lagos State. His arrest sparked controversy among his friends, who claimed he was set up and his phone damaged during his confrontation with operatives. However, spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, said narcotics officers, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the drug joint and arrested three suspects with illicit drugs. The search led to the recovery of drug exhibits including cannabis Sativa, Tramadol 225mg, and paraphernalia for drug use. The video trending on social media was the moment the suspect and his friends disrupted the bid to conduct a search of the house. The comedian was seen live on Instagram before his arrest, confronting NDLEA officers at his residence. His friend Amodu Ayodeji Peter, known as Ayothecreator, said that the comedian was set up as he does not do drugs. Debo Adedayo, known as Mr. Macaroni, said that Nigerian youths suffer oppression and brutality due to their popularity.

NDLEA intercepted 1.5 million tablets and capsules of pharmaceutical opioids such as Tramadol, Exol-5 and Diazepam loaded in Onitsha, Anambra State and heading to Yauri, Kebbi State, and 425,000 Diazepam tablets were recovered at Segemu, Kano. N1.413,344 was seized along with arms and ammunition from a suspected bandit and a drug kingpin in Plateau State, and 137.754 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs were recovered during interdiction operations across seven states. Attempts to export 73 parcels of cannabis to the United Kingdom and 50 parcels of cannabis consignment to the United States were also thwarted. The Agency arrested a suspected bandit, Abdullahi Usman Ahmad, and leader of a cocaine distribution ring in Plateau, Chibueze Okoro John, with quantities of cocaine and Tramadol. In Delta State, 38-year-old Ejike Obiora was arrested for attempting to smuggle Cocaine and Heroin into the Nigerian Correctional Centre.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the Opebi-Ojota Link Bridge will be completed in 20 months and that his administration will continue to promote economic prosperity through sustainable road infrastructure. This includes maintenance of over 832 roads, covering 252km.

Nigeria's President Tinubu has re-echoed his views on subsidy removal in his inaugural speech as the 16th president. Marketers have been affected by the announcement, with many filling stations stopping dispensing. The government has not provided a clear pathway for the removal of subsidies, leading to concerns about chaos and marketers hoarding products. Stakeholders have backed the plan, but warned that without proper consultation and planning, the removal could backfire. Energy expert Ameh Madaki believes a phased approach with proper consultation and pricing planning would prevent disruption to the economy. Nigeria's President Tinubu is ready to tackle economic challenges by allowing national and subnational governments to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity using local resources. This would improve electricity supply and drive investment in the electricity sector. Subsidies have deprived the economy and petroleum sector of investments, jobs, and revenues.