The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, the founder of The Turn of Mercy Church, over allegations of smuggling large quantities of cannabis from Ghana into Nigeria.

According to NDLEA officials, the 50-year-old cleric was picked up on Sunday, August 3, right after delivering a sermon at his church in Okun Ajah, Lekki. Operatives had been keeping the area under watch for hours before moving in as he stepped out of the building.

The agency revealed that the pastor had been on the run for weeks, fleeing to Ghana after two major seizures of cannabis linked to him. On June 4, officers intercepted 200 kilograms of the substance at Okun Ajah beach. Another 700 kilograms were seized on July 6 from a delivery van said to be working for him.

Investigators say he confessed to using waterways to move the drugs from Ghana into Lagos. He also admitted that he escaped arrest on two earlier occasions before finally being caught this month.

In Lagos, another suspect, Benjamin Udo Ukoh, was found with over 15 kilograms of imported “Canadian Loud” cannabis. In Nasarawa, operatives seized more than 3,000 kilograms of skunk from three people. Kano operations uncovered hundreds of kilograms of drugs, along with tramadol pills and injection ampoules.

NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for the coordinated raids and urged them to sustain their momentum. He stressed that enforcement must go hand-in-hand with public education to tackle the country’s drug problem.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the Nigeria Police Force for arresting and detaining human rights activist Omoyele Sowore. Sowore had gone to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday to honour an invitation from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit over a petition.

He arrived with his lawyers and members of the ‘Take It Back Movement’, but was taken into custody and has remained there since. By Thursday, Sowore claimed that his arm had been broken while in detention, alleging that he was assaulted and sprayed with chemicals by officers.

Reacting on his X page, Atiku described the incident as a disgraceful misuse of power that must be condemned by all who stand for justice. He said Sowore’s only “crime” was speaking out against injustice, nepotism, and bad governance, yet he was attacked, injured, and humiliated under the watch of the police.

The city of Awka was filled with emotion on the evening of Tuesday, August 5, 2025, as people from all walks of life came out to honour the life of Ifesinachi Onyekere, popularly known as Fish Magnet, a young entrepreneur whose sudden death shook the community.

The candlelight procession, led by controversial social commentator VeryDarkMan (VDM), was both a tribute and a public outcry against the growing insecurity in the region.

Fish Magnet also known as Ifesinachi was a hardworking fish farmer who turned his hustle into a brand that many respected. He provided jobs, offered support to small vendors, and inspired other young people in Anambra. He was kidnapped from his home in Okpuno and later found dead.

VDM, who led the procession, used the opportunity to speak out about the rise in kidnappings and killings in Anambra. He called on both state and federal authorities to stop ignoring the cries of the people and take action before more lives are lost.

Before the event, police authorities warned VDM not to disrupt public peace and reminded him that the family of the deceased had not called for any public procession. However, the walk remained calm, with officers quietly monitoring to prevent any issues. Despite early fears of tension, the crowd remained peaceful and focused on honouring Ifesinachi’s memory.

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