High Court Fines Indian Crew, Vessel $6m Over ‘31.5kg Cocaine Shipment’ Into Nigeria

The federal high court in Lagos has convicted and fined 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel $6 million in fines and restitution over the importation of 31.5kg of cocaine.

A statement on Thursday by Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said the sailors and the vessel — MV Aruna Hulya — were arrested after operatives uncovered 31.5kg of cocaine concealed in hatch three of the ship at the GDNL terminal in Apapa on January 2.
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Federal High Court

High court fines Indian crew, vessel $6m over ‘31.5kg cocaine shipment’ into Nigeria

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AFCSC Graduates Tactical Commanders As Armed Forces Enhance Readiness For Emerging Security Challenges

The Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, has graduated officers of Junior Course 101, reaffirming the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to building a highly skilled, adaptive, and mission-ready officer corps capable of addressing contemporary and emerging security threats.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, noted that Nigeria’s evolving security environment, characterized by terrorism, banditry, cyber threats, and transnational organised crime, demands greater jointness, inter-agency collaboration, and strategic foresight.
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He emphasized that the graduates are equipped with the planning, analytical, and decision-making skills required to strengthen operational effectiveness and contribute meaningfully to national security.

In his welcome address, the Commandant of AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal AO Shogbanmu, highlighted the College’s continuous curriculum review efforts to address emerging threats, evolving forms of warfare, and modern staff work requirements. He explained that the course combined intensive academic activities and field training exercises designed to prepare officers for single-service, joint, multi-agency, and combined operations.

Commending the graduates for their resilience and dedication, the Commandant noted that the programme challenged their leadership abilities, critical thinking, and decision-making skills while instilling the enduring military values of discipline, integrity, loyalty, and service before self.

Air Marshal Aneke further underscored the importance of innovation, adaptability, and technological awareness in an increasingly complex operational environment shaped by hybrid warfare and non-state actors.

He urged the graduands to remain agile, ethical, and professional in the discharge of their duties, noting that public confidence in the Armed Forces is built on competence, integrity, and principled leadership. The ceremony also highlighted the importance of regional defence cooperation, with officers from friendly nations participating in the course, further strengthening partnerships that contribute to peace, security, and stability within Nigeria and beyond.

AFCSC

In recognition of exceptional performance, Captain OO Komolafe received both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff Awards. Other award recipients included Lieutenant (NN) ES Williamson, who won the Chief of Naval Staff Award; Flight Lieutenant SO Solomon, who received the Chief of the Air Staff Award; and Captain K Arthur-Barnes of Ghana, who was honoured as the Best International Student.
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EFCC Arrests AVSEC Inspector, Two Others For Alleged Cash, Gold Smuggling In Kano

The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested one Ali Baffa, an Inspector 1 with Aviation Security, AVSEC, and his accomplices, Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, for alleged involvement in bulk cash and mineral resources smuggling.

The suspects were intercepted on Friday, June 11, 2026 during a routine surveillance operation by the Land and Property Fraud Section of the Kano Zonal Directorate, following a directive by the Executive Chairman that all Directorates intensify efforts to tackle smuggling of mineral resources and bulk cash at international airports.
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Preliminary investigations revealed that Ali Baffa allegedly concealed 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars estimated at over N4,400,000,000 (Four Billion, Four Hundred Million Naira) in his trousers, with the intent to bypass security checks and hand over the precious minerals to overseas-bound passengers for illegal export out of Nigeria.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Aushabu Nasidi, who allegedly supplied the gold bars to Baffa. Upon arrest, Nasidi was found in possession of various foreign currencies, including: 3,000 Saudi Riyals, 40,000 Turkish Lira, 199.75 Kuwaiti Dinar, 20,700 Philippine Peso, 80 Australian Dollars, 310 Chinese Renminbi, 4,000 Algerian Dinar, 40 Hong Kong Dollars, 26,000 Hungarian Forint, and 1,000 Sudanese Dinar.

EFCC

The investigation also led to the arrest of one Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria who allegedly gave the gold bars to Nasidi. While being interviewed , DanZaria revealed to the Commission that he had smuggled an estimated 40.2 kilograms of gold from June 1 to June 11, 2026 using the same modus operandi.

All the suspects are currently in EFCC custody. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
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