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NDLEA Discovers ‘Mkpuru Mmiri’ Factory In Enugu, Nabs 3 Suspects

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2 years ago

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Enugu State Command has uncovered an illegal laboratory that produces Methamphetamine widely known as Mkpuru Mmiri.

Mr. Adeyemi Adeofe, Commander of NDLEA Enugu State Command made this announcement disclosing that three suspects allegedly involved in the illicit production of the destructive drug are in their net.

Adeofe said, “Following intelligence report, the Command on Saturday arrested two suspects with 100kg of Ephedrine, which is used in the production of Methamphetamine,”

Subsequent follow-up operation led the team to the location of the laboratory at Zion Avenue Phase 6 Trans Ekulu in Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu where the third suspect was arrested.

Adeoye further disclosed the menace of the substance; “methamphetamine is one of the most poisonous substances to the body. The drug’s presence in communities also poses danger to even non-users.”

“There is an urgent need to decontaminate the area as waste products of this illicit substance have seeped into the ground. The substances have gone into wells of neighbouring compounds, thus poisoning their sources of water supply.”

“Time will come when the effects of these chemicals will result to deadly health challenges like cancer, birth deformity and kidney problems”, Mr. Adeofe reiterated.

One of the suspects, Paul Eze denied involvement in the business; he said he was only a courier contracted to deliver the substance from Lagos to Enugu and knew nothing about the illegal business. He said the owner of the consignment identified as Christian told him that the consignment is a harmless pharmaceutical product.

Eze said, “He gave me a phone number to call when I get to Enugu, but I was arrested at the point of delivering the consignments”.

Another suspect, Ikechukwu Uma, said one Mr. Christian directed him to receive the consignments and take them to his Enugu residence. He also said he knew nothing about the consignment or the illegal business.

Meanwhile, Mr. Christopher Eze, the third suspect and brother-in-law to Mr. Christian who was arrested in the said compound where the illegal laboratory was located also denied his involvement in the business; he identified Christian as the owner of the apartment.

Christopher revealed to NDLEA that Mr. Christian resides in South Africa but allowed him to temporarily live in the compound when he had accommodation problems.

He however confirmed that the chemicals, gas cylinders, and other equipment paraded by NDLEA were recovered from a garage in the compound but however denied knowledge of what they were used for.

Methamphetamine or Crystal Meth aka mkpuru mmiri looks like an ice block, but can also be blue in colour. It is said to be one of the hardest drug addictions to treat. Sources say that it could be dissolved in water and consumed hence the Igbo name Mkpuru Mmiri.

Dr Jude Onah describes, “It is very addictive and affects the central nervous system of whoever takes it. It creates a feeling of massive happiness that is very addictive and makes the taker want to fly.”

“When the effect wears off, the taker tries to have that feeling again thereby taking it again,” says the medical expert.

 

 

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Nigerian officials probe plan to marry off scores of female orphans

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs says it is investigating a plan by a lawmaker in central Niger state to marry off some 100 female orphans of unknown ages later this month.

Speaker of the Niger State Assembly Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji announced the mass wedding last week but called off the ceremony following widespread outrage.

Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, condemned the plans.

Kennedy-Ohanenye said she had petitioned the police and filed a lawsuit to stop the marriages pending an investigation to ascertain the age of the orphans and whether they consented to the marriages.

“This is totally unacceptable by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and by the government” of Nigeria, she said.

Last week, Sarkin-Daji announced his support for the mass wedding of the orphans, whose relatives were killed during attacks by armed bandits. He said it was part of his support to his constituents following an appeal for wedding funding by local traditional and religious leaders.

The mass wedding had been scheduled for May 24.

“That support I intend to give for the marriage of those orphans, I’m withdrawing it,” he said. “The parents can have the support [money], if they wish, let them go ahead and marry them off. As it is right now, I’m not threatened by the action of the minister.”

Despite national laws prohibiting it, forced or arranged marriage is a common phenomenon in Nigeria, especially among rural communities in the predominantly Muslim north, where religious and cultural norms such as polygamy favor the practice.

Poor families often use forced marriage to ease financial pressure, and the European Union Agency for Asylum says girls who refuse could face repercussions such as neglect, ostracism, physical assault and rape.

Raquel Kasham Daniel escaped being married off as a teenager when her father died and now runs a nonprofit helping children, especially less-privileged girls, get a formal education for free.

She said the ability of women to avoid forced marriage in Nigeria depends on their income and education.

“I was 16 when I lost my dad and I was almost married off, but then I ran away from home. And that gave me the opportunity to complete my education, and now I have a better life,” Daniel said.

“So, the reason why I prioritize education is to make sure that other girls have access to quality schooling so that it will help them make informed decisions about their lives. Education not only increases our awareness as girls about our rights but also enhances our prospects for higher income earning,” she said.

Thirty percent of girls in Nigeria are married before they turn 18, according to Girls Not Brides, a global network of more than 1,400 civil society groups working to end child marriage.

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Shell investigates smoke near Gbaran oil facility in Nigeria

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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YENAGOA, Nigeria, May 14 (Reuters) – Oil major Shell is investigating reports of smoke early Tuesday near its Gbaran Ubie oil and gas facility in Nigeria’s coastal Bayelsa state, a spokesperson said after residents reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke near the area.
The incident would not immediately lead to an operational shut-in, the Shell spokesperson said.
A fire was reported around 0600 GMT by residents in the nearby community, who said blasts were heard where pipeline repair works had been ongoing.
The Gbaran facility, which began operations in 2010, is by far the most important Nigeria LNG gas feedstock project, processing almost 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.
“We are actively monitoring reports of smoke detected near our Gbaran Central Processing Facility in Bayelsa State. While the source appears to be external to our facility, we are in close communication with regulatory authorities to look into the incident and ensure the safety of the surrounding communities,” a Shell spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
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Shell did not immediately respond to the accounts of residents in the area.
Resident Ovie Ogbuku told Reuters: “At about 7 a.m. I heard the sound so deafeningly and it shook the foundation of the earth and we ran for our dear lives. The result is the thick smoke you are seeing now.”
Another resident Uche Ede said; “We have no idea of the cause of the explosion but we are grateful no life was lost because it was far away from homes.”
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Land operations in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta are prone to sabotage, theft, and pipeline vandalism, forcing oil majors to exit such fields to focus on deepwater drilling.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Nigeria tour: A Round Up

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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Meghan and Harry spent three days in the African country, Nigeria in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent time in Nigeria as part of a three-day tour, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of The Invictus Games.

The couple were personally invited on the trip by Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa; they are not there in any official capacity on behalf of the royal family or the UK. The tour schedule, which started in the bustling capital of Abuja, has been jam-packed, including a visit to primary and secondary school Lightway Academy, where they met with students, and experiencing the work of Nigeria Unconquered, a charitable foundation dedicated to aiding wounded, injured, or sick servicemembers.

Naturally, the trip also provided the opportunity for Meghan to showcase a multi-day “tourdrobe”, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the couple stepped down as senior working royals in early 2020 – and she hasn’t disappointed, in a series of summery maxi dresses, elegant tailoring and striking separates.

See highlights from their trip so far, below.

On day three, the couple arrived at Lagos airport, where they were given an official state welcome.

The couple posed for a photo with children and Nigerian dignitaries.

 

The couple were greeted by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

 

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They then attended a basketball exhibition training match at Ilupeju Grammar School in Lagos. After the match, they posed for a photo with the Toronto Raptors basketball team president, Masai Ujiri, and the principal of Ilupeju Grammar School, Josephine Egunyomi.

 

The couple attended a reception hosted by the charity organisation Nigeria Unconquered, held at the Officers’ Mess in Abuja.

 

A visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

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