In a successful security operation, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and forest guards have rescued two kidnapped children in Kwara State.

The children — 16-year-old Fatima Azeez and her five-year-old brother, Ibrahim — were freed on Thursday from a forest between Oba Isin/Owa Onire in Isin and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of the state.

According to government sources, the joint security team eliminated two armed kidnappers during the operation, while several others sustained fatal injuries and fled. More rescue operations are said to be ongoing in the area.

Items recovered from the kidnappers include one AK-47 rifle, a single-barrel gun, one fully-loaded magazine, nine empty magazines, a mini-solar charger, and food items.

The operation is part of the Kwara State Government’s multi-agency counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping efforts.

The rescue comes just days after a similar intelligence-led operation in neighbouring Oyo State, where pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire were successfully freed.

Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) TinCan Island Command have made a major drug bust, seizing a massive consignment of cannabis valued at an estimated ₦18.96 billion cleverly concealed inside imported vehicles from Canada.

The interception was announced by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, during a press briefing at the command. The operation was intelligence-driven and carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to Onyeka, the seizure involved a 40-foot container (marked HAMU 429961) falsely declared as containing only used vehicles. A 100% physical examination revealed 185 jumbo bags of cannabis — commonly known locally as “tiga” — hidden inside two vehicles: a 2010 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet.

Further inspection uncovered a total of 9,450 packages weighing 4,729 kilograms. The street value of the drugs was placed at ₦18.96 billion.

“This underscores the scale of the criminal attempt and the effectiveness of our enforcement strategies,” Onyeka stated. The seized drugs and vehicles have been formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.

The bust comes shortly after a formal cooperation agreement signed between the NCS and NDLEA on April 27, 2026, aimed at enhancing intelligence sharing and joint operations against drug trafficking.

Customs officials have reiterated their commitment to zero tolerance for smuggling, warning that such activities pose serious threats to public health, national security, and the economy. No arrests were detailed in the briefing, but investigations are ongoing.

This operation highlights the continued vigilance of Nigerian border agencies in combating sophisticated smuggling tactics involving containerized imports.

.……Maintains Order for Accelerated Hearing

Maintains Order for Accelerated HearingA Federal High Court has rejected activist Omoyele Sowore’s request for a lengthy adjournment in his ongoing trial for allegedly cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a “criminal.”

Justice Mohammed Umar, on Monday, turned down the defense’s plea for an adjournment until September to enable additional subpoenaed witnesses to appear. The judge insisted that the subsisting order for accelerated hearing remains in force and that the trial must proceed day-to-day in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Lead prosecutor Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) had earlier urged the court to foreclose the defense case, noting that the court had already granted the defense ten adjournments, resulting in unnecessary delays.

Sowore’s counsel, Raphael Adakole, had sought the long adjournment because the defense had a list of subpoenaed witnesses whose subpoenas were yet to be signed by the judge. Adakole argued that signing the documents was necessary to effect service and secure the witnesses’ attendance.

In his short ruling, Justice Umar faulted the request for another long adjournment, particularly one convenient for the lead defense counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), who was absent. The judge clarified that the senior lawyer’s absence was not sufficient reason to stall proceedings. He, however, assured the defense that he would sign the necessary subpoena paperwork to facilitate the appearance of the additional witnesses.

Despite protests from Adakole, who cited other criminal cases scheduled outside Abuja, the court adjourned the matter to Wednesday, July 16, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Proceedings on Monday

Earlier in the session, the prosecution concluded the cross-examination of the first defense witness, Deji Adeyanju. The court played three video exhibits previously tendered, including clips of President Tinubu stating that he no longer accesses social media to avoid constant verbal attacks from critics, and another in which he said no one should “bear the brunt of injustice” for merely writing against him.

Bail Condition Update

Adakole also informed the court that the defense had perfected all terms of Sowore’s bail, with only the final endorsement from the bail department remaining. He noted a delay, as the bail unit insisted on a formal letter from the lead prosecutor verifying the sureties, despite prior verification during the bail ruling.

Following the court’s intervention, a bail unit staff member explained that the letter was standard procedure. Lead prosecutor Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) agreed to provide the required letter.

Parties are expected to return on July 16 for the continuation of the trial.