Men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted 22 packages of suspected cocaine valued at about N1 billion along the Badagry–Seme corridor.

The seizure, carried out by the NCS Seme area command, was formally handed over on Friday at the federal operations unit zone A to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

In a statement, Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs, who was represented at the event by Timi Bomodi, deputy comptroller-general in charge of enforcement, investigation and inspection, said the interception occurred in the early hours of February 10 at about 3:00am.

“Our dedicated officers intercepted a Toyota Highlander carrying 22 packages suspected to be cocaine. These substances were carefully hidden in a special bunker underneath the vehicle’s axle, so expertly concealed that, for the eagle eyes of our officers, it would have been virtually impossible to detect,” Bomodi said.

He added that one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure, noting that the operation was conducted by officers of the Seme Area Command led by Wale Adenuga.

“This operation demonstrates the Service’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and protecting society from the scourge of narcotics,” he said.

He added that collaboration among security agencies remains essential in tackling drug trafficking and related insecurity.

Customs authorities said the interception was carried out under provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which empowers the service to enforce prohibitions related to public health and national security.

Receiving the seized drugs and the suspect on behalf of NDLEA, Abubakar Wali, assistant commander-feneral of the Lagos strategic command, commended the partnership between both agencies.

“The handover underscores the effectiveness of the MOU between the NDLEA and NCS, as well as the value of inter-agency collaboration in curbing cross-border drug trafficking,” Wali said.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state has said that he acts “weak” to preserve peace and stability in the state.

Fubara spoke on Friday while receiving the 2025 man of the year award presented to him by New Telegraph in Lagos.

Fubara, whose speech centred on the strains of leadership, the toll of political conflict, and the need for reconciliation, dedicated the award to Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it. I also dedicate this award to somebody who discovered me, not minding the situation — the honourable minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike,” he said.

“He discovered me, and it is the discovery that gave me this loudness. Today is a very special day, and also special for everyone who has believed in me, and I know that for believing in me, you have a share of special pain.

“Some people have described these pains as weakness, while others say it is being strong. But I choose to be weak for a lot of reasons, weak because I want peace. Weak because we need to survive.

“Weak because I need to also protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation. Weakness is a virtue. It pays at the right time.”

The governor expressed appreciation to his family and the people of Rivers for their patience and maturity amid the political upheaval in the state.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu brokered peace between the governor and the Rivers state house of assembly, following months of political tension, impeachment threats, and division in the legislature.

The majority of the Rivers house of assembly members are allies of the FCT minister.

Wike recenlty campaigned against Fubara’s re-election bid, accusing him of reneging on a peace deal they both signed before Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in Rivers.

Earlier in the week, Wike expressed confidence that the protracted standoff between the executive and the legislature in Rivers would be permanently resolved following Tinubu’s intervention. 

On Thursday, Fubara dissolved the state executive council.

On Friday, the governor sent a list of new commissioners to the state assembly for screening and confirmation.

The special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has called for a thorough investigation into Nasir el-Rufai’s admission that he accessed an intercepted phone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA).

In a post on X, Onanuga described el-Rufai’s disclosure as a “confession” and questioned whether the former Kaduna governor and his unnamed “collaborators” possess wire-tapping facilities.

“El-Rufai confesses to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?” Onanuga asked.

“This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law.”

El-Rufai, during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, said “someone tapped” Ribadu’s phone, allowing him to listen to a conversation in which the NSA “ordered” his arrest.

El-Rufai acknowledged the action was illegal but claimed the government routinely engages in similar practices without court orders.

“The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways,” el-Rufai said.