Category Nigeria News

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the chief of the naval staff, claimed that the Nigerian Navy had successfully fought off pirates and other maritime criminals, leading to a rise in oil production and increased security in the country’s waters.

The Naval Chief made the disclosure on Friday when he launched new projects at Zaria, Kaduna State’s prestigious Nigerian Military School.

Ogalla, a graduate of the Nigerian Military School Zaria, claimed that the Navy had “undeniable results” from its operations since he assumed command, noting that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) had never experienced piracy since 2022.

“We made it clear from the beginning that we wanted to combat the criminal elements that were inseparably affecting our maritime environment.” And I’m proud to say that was accomplished. The improvements to oil production and the elimination of piracy in our waters are obvious, he said.

READ MORE: CDS Musa, Nigerians Must Unite to End Insurgency

He added that pirates, crude oil theft, and illegal refining have long threatened Nigeria’s economic lifeline, dissuading investment in the maritime sector, and piracy. The Navy has since reversed the trend thanks to more effective operations.

He explained that Operation Delta Sanity was launched by the Navy to end criminal networks and protect critical oil infrastructure in parallel with joint operations with sister services and maritime stakeholders.

“These actions have restored confidence in the maritime environment.” Nigeria is now seen as a safer maritime hub, with increased revenues and improved oil production. That’s why the work we’re doing is crucial, Ogalla said.

He added that fighting maritime insecurity is a national duty as well, as the protection of Nigeria’s oil assets directly affects economic growth and development.

By virtue of its mandate, the Nigerian Navy protects our maritime environment. That means protecting the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty at sea. Because oil is still our primary source of income, we are directly strengthening Nigeria’s economy, the CNS noted.

Ogalla emphasized that the accomplishments were attributable to the hard work of naval personnel spread across formations, whose sacrifices at sea had restored Nigeria’s waters to sanity.

“I applaud the brave officers and ratings who put in the effort.” Without their support, we wouldn’t be celebrating these accomplishments. The stability we now enjoy in our maritime domain is the result of their sacrifices, he continued.

He urged vigilantness throughout, noting that security forces must stay ahead through intelligence-led operations and technological advancements. Criminal elements frequently adapt.

In order to promote academic excellence at the university, the Naval Chief ordered six contemporary classrooms, each outfitted with smart boards and learning aids, while he was a student there.

“This intervention reflects my belief that learning must change with the times,” I said. According to him, these resources will give the boys the tools to excel academically and get ready for the future.

He also announced the start of new initiatives and pledged to strengthen military education between NMS and the Nigerian Navy Military School in Ikot Ntuen, Akwa Ibom.

The Ex-Boys Association continued to support the tradition of giving back while the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General O. O. Oluyede, was commended for the improvement of the Boys’ Lines and other NMS facilities.

Brigadier General Owoicho Ejiga, the NMS commander, described Ogalla’s visit as “a historic milestone” and said it would inspire the students and strengthen the institution’s commitment to excellence since its founding in 1954.

Major General Abubakar Adamu (Rtd), the North East Zone Director of the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), is pleased with the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army’s (Sector 3) operational accomplishments during Operation Whirl Stroke in Taraba State.

He applauded the 6 Brigade’s efforts to use kinetic and non-kinetic methods to address insecurity in Taraba State.

Major General Adamu paid acourtesy visit to the state capital’s Jalingo, home to the 6 Brigade Headquarters.

The Zonal Director claimed that his visit was a part of a campaign to introduce the Center’s mandate, which is to stop the spread of small and light weapons throughout the region.

READ MORE:   Troops Neutralize Two Terrorists In Taraba

In addition, he cited NCCSALW’s willingness to work with security organizations through intelligence sharing, community engagements, and other means of advancing broader efforts to combat illicit arms.

Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, the commander of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 OPWS, thanked the Zonal Director and his entourage for the visit and reiterated the Brigade’s willingness to work together with the Center, arguing that tackling illegal arms proliferation calls for a collective approach.

Ilerioluwa Aloba’s father, Joseph Aloba, is the father of the late singer, Mohbad, and has requested that the Lagos State government prosecute his daughter-in-law Omowunmi Aloba along with other people who have been charged in the coroner’s inquest into his son’s death.

Aloba requested the request in a letter sent to the state’s Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner, Lawal Pedro, SAN, by his attorney, Wahab Shittu, SAN.

He also demanded that Feyisayo Ogedengbe, an auxiliary nurse, be charged with killing Mohbad shortly before his death.

The attorney further urged the state to bring charges against those who were present in the apartment at the time of Mohbad’s death, particularly those who had facilited the auxiliary nurse’s invitation or who failed to treat him right away.

The auxiliary nurse’s actions were “unlawful and professionally negligent,” according to the coroner, Magistrate Taofikat Shotobi, in July 2025.

READ MORE: A Magistrate Court Orders DNA Testing of Late Mohbad’s Son

Ogedengbe was cited for giving an injection without a doctor’s prescription in the Coroner’s recommendation for criminal prosecution.

Additionally, Magistrate Shotobi held Mohbad’s wife accountable for taking him home rather than visiting a hospital for treatment.

More than two months have passed and the Lagos State Government has not yet filed charges against those named, despite the coroner’s verdict’s clear findings and recommendations.

Despite the conclusive judicial findings, Aloba’s attorney expressed concern that the authorities had not yet taken any legal action.

Given the high sensitivity of the case and the attention it has received from the public, the attorney urged the Attorney-General to exercise his prosecutorial authority by bringing charges against the suspects within 14 days.

According to Shittu, “Our client, as a bereaved father who seeks justice,” is deeply troubled by the fact that, since the verdict was delivered on July 11, 2025, no legal action has been taken against the named individuals despite the clear indictments contained in the Coroner’s Verdict.

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, has lamented the destruction of the Lagos Trade Fair Complex and described the procedure as heartbreaking.

President Bola Tinubu traveled to Abia State on Friday to commission projects being carried out by the Governor Alex Otti administration.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, represented the president at the gathering.

Our hearts bleed as a result of the destruction, demolition of our brothers’ homes and offices in Lagos, Kalu said.

Kalu pleaded with Lagos authorities to intervene and give defaulters time to review their documents before losing their homes.

“I’m asking the governor of Lagos State (Babajide Sanwo-Olu) to keep accommodating our brothers for some of them who have not received the right document.”

Let them enter the room and examine some of these documents. Homes are being destroyed in this difficult time, which bleeds our hearts. However, he said, “I know that Mr. President, who cares about the Igbos, will listen to the Igbos’ desires.”

The deputy speaker further urged the federal government to prioritize port expansion in the South East to boost the region’s trading economy.

“We should probably have a new port in the South East,” he said. We need a port because South Easterners are traders, he continued.

The Trade Fair Complex in Lagos has begun the demolition of unsafe and illegal structures, and Kalu’s plea comes as a result.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Urban Renewal Agency, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Physical Planning Permit Authority, and the Ministry of Physical Planning participated in the operation on September 25.

Read more about the demolition at the Lagos Trade Fair: Commissioners claim there is no ethno-ethnic coloration and it is purely technical.

Jubril Gawat, the aide to Governor Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the exercise, stating that it “targeted” illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals, defective structures, and structures constructed on roads setbacks and drainages.

The Office of Infrastructure, Lagos State House of Assembly members, security personnel, and other parties were in charge of the demolition.

No Ethnic Coloration: The Lagos Government Says.

The Lagos State Government has defended the demolition, arguing that technical and legal requirements predominated over the decision-making process.

Olumide Otuyinka, the state’s commissioner for physical planning and urban development, claimed Lagos had engaged in similar enforcement.

He refuted the claim of ethnic targeting and told Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, “That is not true.” Owode Onirin, Idumota, and Ikeja are our destinations. It is uncolored in any way ethnically. We simply need to do our work, after all. Nothing here is ethnic; it is purely technical.

He claimed that even in troubled areas, enforcement was carried out, and that he had personally led a team that visited a white cap chief’s palace. For all of us, this is Nigeria. You must adhere to the laws of that location when you are there. It’s really that easy. “

Without the proper investigation, the commissioner accused the Trade Fair Management of “leasing land” to private developers. He claimed that contractors did not obtain permits for construction, citing a three-story building that was constructed just two feet from the street’s kerb and had doors that opened onto the street.

Otuyinka argued that defaulters had ample time to comply. He claimed that officers who served notices were harassed and even detained while they were there in March 2024.

They knew we were coming, but that’s not new. We allowed defaulters to do so. They must abide by the law, he added.

The 15 billion dollar counterfeit, expired, and substandard products have been destroyed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

In line with NAFDAC’s ongoing campaign against counterfeit and unsafe products, the destruction exercise was held in Ibadan, the capital of the Oyo State.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director General, claimed that the destruction was necessary to stop the dangerous drugs from re-entering Nigerian markets.

Adeyeye reaffirmed the NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding the public health, as represented by Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement.

She stated that efforts to stop products that violate the law will be intensified by NAFDAC as the country’s lead agency and federal task force on counterfeit drugs.

According to Adeyeye, “the products we destroyed today include expired, counterfeit, unreported, unregistered, and prohibited drugs.”

Read more about the Naval Chief’s efforts to combat pirates, maritime criminals, and increased oil production.

She included various vaccines, analgin, cocodamol, codeine cough syrup, tramadol, oxytocin, and other items that had been destroyed.

She continued, “These products are estimated to be worth only fifteen billion naira on the streets today.”

Adeyeye praised the Nigeria Customs Service for handing over 25 containers of prohibited medications, including an artesunate injection and Tramadol 225mg.

Other items that were seized included frozen chicken and CSC cough syrup, both of which were flags as unsafe for public consumption.

She also expressed gratitude to the Police, the Nigerian Army, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, and the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Council.

Adeyeye urged Nigerians to avoid quacks and unlicensed drug dealers, citing the risk of unregulated drugs harming public health and safety.