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NMDPRA: Thugs Infiltrate Ahmed-Must-Go Protest

Published

9 months ago

June 24, 2025

NMDPRA: Thugs Infiltrate Ahmed-Must-Go Protest

Some hired hoodlums on Tuesday, attacked young protesters in Abuja after infiltrating the peaceful sit-out around the head office of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in the Central Business District.

The group, under the aegis of Young Professionals Forum of Nigeria, in the series of the week-long rally in Abuja, had converged close to the NMDPRA office, demanding that the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPR, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, be suspended over alleged financial scandal.

The group and several others have consistently accused the NMDPRA boss of diverting over $5 million, allegedly using the same to sponsor four of his children in luxurious foreign schools across different countries.

But no sooner had the protesters successfully addressed the press, than some hoodlums, tripping from the opposite direction of the NMDPRA office, infiltrated the young protesters and wanted to turn the peaceful sit-out to a commotion; but for the wisdom of the leaders of the group, which insisted members should not react but quietly dismiss, to reconvene another day.

Comrade Emmanuel Ogwuche, who addressed the press shortly before the infiltration of the hoodlums, said the youths would continue their peaceful protests until the needful was done.

The group also hammered on allegations of abuse of power and regulatory compromise by Ahmed.

“Engr. Ahmed is at the centre of a massive financial scandal involving the alleged diversion of over $5 million in public funds to bankroll the luxurious foreign education of his children. While millions of Nigerians cannot afford to send their children to basic public schools; while university students in Nigeria face strikes, dilapidated hostels, and unpaid lecturers; one public servant is alleged to have spent our commonwealth to secure elite education for his family in Switzerland and India.

“His four children — Faisal, Farouk Jr., Ashraf, and Farhana — were enrolled in some of the most expensive schools in the world. Institutions with fees that range from $80,000 to $140,000 per year. Schools that only royalty and billionaires can afford. Schools that are as far removed from the average Nigerian reality as the moon is from the earth.

“Schools like Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, European University Montreux, and La Garenne International School. In all, over $5 million is alleged to have been spent over the years on tuition, accommodation, upkeep, and flights. These payments were routed through undisclosed accounts, proxy relatives, and unreported assets — none of which appeared in Mr. Ahmed’s mandatory asset declaration forms.

“This is not just unethical. It is potentially criminal. The law is clear. Public officials must declare all assets. Public officials must not benefit from any advantage that compromises their impartiality. Public officials must not divert public funds or use the privileges of office to enrich themselves or their families. And yet, here we are, faced with overwhelming evidence that points to exactly that.

“We are also aware that Mr. Ahmed’s son, Faisal, was recruited into Oando PLC — a company directly under the regulatory jurisdiction of the NMDPRA. This is a clear conflict of interest. Oando is a regulated entity. Engr. Ahmed is the regulator. His son has no business working in a company whose regulatory fate lies in his father’s hands. The circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that this employment was not accidental. It was likely facilitated by undue influence. This is not acceptable. This is not excusable. This is not defensible,” Ogwuche stressed.

He vowed that the group would not back out until President Bola Tinubu suspends Ahmed, adding that various groups have drawn the attention of the president and all relevant authorities to bring the NMDPRA boss to account, but to no avail.

According to the group, “His (Ahmed) continued presence in office is a threat to reform. A threat to transparency. A threat to every effort to clean up the Nigerian oil and gas sector. His name is now synonymous with allegations of embezzlement, regulatory compromise and abuse of office.

“We say this to Mr. Ahmed directly: you may still have the title, but you have lost the moral mandate. If you believe in integrity, you should resign today. If you believe in justice, you should subject yourself to investigation. If you believe in Nigeria, you should step aside and allow the truth to come out.

“But if you do not resign, then we, the Nigerian people, must make it clear: we will not accept your continued stay. We will not allow the NMDPRA to become a haven for elite impunity. We will not let this matter die in silence.”

Although no serious injury was recorded, the group said some of its members were wounded, adding that no amount of intimidation could deter the youth from asking questions about what befalls their common patrimony.

Thisdaylive.com

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JUST IN: Israel Breaks Silence On Netanyahu’s Death Claims; Truth Emerges

Published

7 hours ago

March 15, 2026

The Daily Voice

The office of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has cleared the air over his rumoured death.

It dismissed viral social media claims suggesting the Prime Minister had been assassinated following the escalating conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran.

“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the Prime Minister’s office said

DAILY POST reports that the rumours gained traction after a video shared by Netanyahu on his X account on Friday showed him addressing a press conference on the ongoing Israel-US-Iran conflict.

Some social media users, immediate after the video was posted, claimed they had spotted what appeared to be six fingers on Netanyahu’s right hand when he briefly raised it during the speech.

The speculation spread further after US conservative commentator, Candace Owens raised questions on X.

News

Tears As Atiku’s Top Aide Dies, Former Vice President Releases Heartfelt Statement

Published

10 hours ago

March 15, 2026

The Daily Voice

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced the death of Mr. Ifeanyi Izeze, a pioneering member of his media team.

The development was announced in a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday.

The statement said Izeze joined Atiku’s media team in 2006, moving from the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, in Ikot-Abasi, where he served as office manager.

Bringing extensive experience from both journalism and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, he played a key role in shaping media strategies and campaign policies for Atiku, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

Trained as a geologist at the University of Port Harcourt up to postgraduate level, Izeze later transitioned into journalism, reporting extensively on the oil and gas industry for publications including Sunray, Anchor and NewAge newspapers before joining ALSCON.

Beyond his professional life, Izeze was known for his prodigious sense of humor and devout Christian faith.

He was an ordained preacher in the Christ Embassy denomination and also active in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and his elder brother, Pastor Emeka Izeze, known for his work with The Guardian Newspapers..

The Atiku Media Office expressed condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, praying for God’s comfort and eternal rest for his soul.

Atiku said: “A man with a prodigious sense of humour and a born-again Christian of the Christ Embassy denomination, Ifeanyi was an ordained preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

“May God give his family, friends, and colleagues the fortitude to bear his demise.”

I mourn the loss of one of the prominent and pioneer members of my media team, Mr Ifeanyi Izeze.

Ifeanyi joined my media team in 2006, from Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot-Abasi, as Office Manager. He brought to bear on the work of the media team, at that… pic.twitter.com/XvbrDQwTFu

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) March 15, 2026

News

UK-Bound 74-Year-Old Grandpa Arrested With Illicit Drugs At Abuja Airport

Published

11 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items while travelling to the United Kingdom.

The septuagenarian was apprehended at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082, bound for Heathrow, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, a search of Emeka’s luggage revealed blocks of cocaine wrapped in foil papers and balloons and concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper.

“A 74-year-old grandpa, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after a large consignment of cocaine was discovered in foil papers and balloons concealed in his luggage. The septuagenarian, who claimed he was travelling to London, United Kingdom, for vacation, was arrested at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

“During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons,” the statement partly read.

The agency also reported a series of arrests and seizures across other parts of the country.

In Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at Ikad Hotel and Suites while allegedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis. She was with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest.

“In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Monday, March 9, arrested Mrs. Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island, while attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud. She was found with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest. She confessed the illicit drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later taken into custody the same day while his wife was immediately released.

“Ibrahim confirmed ownership of the illicit drugs in his statement, while further investigation revealed that he had previously been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for a similar offence in 2015.”

In another Lagos Island operation, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim, after recovering 68,000 tramadol pills loaded in a truck allegedly meant for transport to Benin. A follow-up raid at Idumota Market led to the arrest of Nnamdi Cyprian, believed to be the owner of the consignment. Officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for waybill delivery from his shop.

Another raid at the market resulted in the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin and the recovery of 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

In separate operations, NDLEA officers arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, with 386 kilograms of skunk in Bebeji, and Isah Wako with 282.2 kilograms of the same substance in Gwagwalada.

In Orhionmwon Local Government Area, operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve, arresting Chinedo Odalonu, 33, and destroying 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk on two farms, while recovering 16.5 kilograms.

At Apapa Seaport, NDLEA officers, in collaboration with customs officials, intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup hidden in two containers that had been watch-listed following intelligence reports.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Edo states for the arrests and seizures over the past week, urging them to sustain efforts aimed at reducing both the supply and demand of illicit drugs in the country.