Today’s Headlines: ‘Fubara Happily Working With Me’ – Wike; Customs Intercept Three Live Pangolins

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was happy working with him, adding that their political team could retain power regardless of whether Fubara sought another term. Wike made the remarks during his monthly media chat in Abuja, amid discussions about their political relationship and the 2027 elections.

Wike also warned Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal against referring to him as “that guy”, saying he could create political difficulties for the governor. He maintained that although he was not contesting any election, he still had political influence and could make things difficult for his opponents.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, intercepted three live pangolins during an anti-smuggling operation after officers acting on intelligence discovered the endangered animals concealed in a wire mesh cage inside a sack. The suspected traffickers abandoned the consignment and fled into a nearby swamp when they sighted the patrol team.

The unit’s Acting Comptroller, Oladapo Afeni, commended the officers and reaffirmed the service’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species. The rescued pangolins were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and proper care. Pangolins are protected under international wildlife trade regulations, and those involved in their illegal trafficking risk prosecution and severe penalties under Nigerian law.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) uncovered a suspected counterfeit drinks production facility at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State, and arrested two men. The facility was allegedly used to remove expired labels and relabel drinks, including Bullet Energy Drink, Don Julio tequila and Jameson whiskey, for resale. NAFDAC operatives said the suspects allegedly worked with bar and nightclub managers to distribute the products.

The footage released by the agency showed bottles, chemicals and packaging materials at the facility, alongside drinks with replaced labels. The discovery followed other enforcement operations in Lagos, where NAFDAC seized alcoholic beverages worth an estimated ₦300 million packaged in sachets and small plastic bottles below 200 millilitres, and arrested some distributors and retailers involved in selling the prohibited products.

Former Nigerian Bar Association President Olisa Agbakoba has urged presidential candidates in the 2027 general election to publicly declare their positions on petrol pricing, describing rising fuel costs and the cost of living as major issues for voters. He said the removal of petrol subsidies had left pump prices influenced by refinery and import costs, contributing to higher transportation, food, rent, education and other household expenses.

Agbakoba outlined four possible approaches to petrol pricing: retaining subsidy removal, restoring subsidies, adopting a discount-pricing model or introducing differential pricing. He said candidates should clearly explain their preferred approach so Nigerians could assess their plans for addressing fuel prices and the wider economic burden on households.

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