The Delta State Police Command says it has intensified its crackdown on crime across the state after a series of coordinated operations led to the arrest of 23 suspects and the recovery of a stolen HOWO trailer truck.

The operations, carried out in Asaba, Okpanam and Warri on 22 May 2026, also led to the seizure of large quantities of suspected illicit drugs, including codeine, tramadol and substances believed to be Indian hemp.

Police authorities described the raids as part of ongoing efforts to tackle drug-related crimes, theft and organised criminal activity in Delta State.

Raid on criminal hideouts

According to the police, operatives from the Department of Operations, Buffalo Team and Okpanam patrol teams raided identified “black spots”, criminal hideouts and brothels in the Okpanam axis and parts of the Asaba metropolis.

The operation was reportedly carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi.

Police said 22 male suspects were arrested around the Hausa Market area in Okpanam.

Recovered items included 72 bottles of CSC Codeine, 11 packets of Tramadol, and quantities of substances identified as Swinol, Canadian Loud and suspected Indian hemp.

In a statement signed by police spokesperson Bright Edafe, the Command said the suspects and exhibits had been transferred to the Special Enquiry Unit for further profiling and investigation.

“Suspects found culpable will be prosecuted,” the statement said.

Stolen trailer truck recovered in Anambra

In a separate operation, operatives attached to Operation Safe Delta recovered a stolen HOWO trailer truck allegedly snatched by suspected criminals.

Police said the recovery followed a petition alleging conspiracy, theft and the hijacking of the vehicle.

The truck, bearing registration number KK/192 XA, was traced to Ifite-Awka in Anambra State before being recovered and transported back to Asaba.

Authorities said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects connected to the case.

Female suspect arrested with suspected Indian hemp

Meanwhile, operatives of the Quick Response Squad in Warri intercepted a tricycle during a stop-and-search operation along Esisi Road.

Police said a search of the vehicle uncovered 13 nylon bags containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

A 57-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Investigators are now working to determine the origin and intended destination of the drugs.

Why it matters

Security agencies across Nigeria have faced growing pressure to combat drug trafficking, violent crime and organised criminal networks.

Delta State, a major economic and oil-producing hub in southern Nigeria, has seen repeated police operations targeting suspected criminal hideouts and drug distribution networks.

Security analysts say drug abuse among young people remains a major concern in many urban centres, with substances such as tramadol and codeine frequently linked to criminal activity and addiction.

Public safety experts have also warned that stolen heavy-duty vehicles are increasingly being used in interstate criminal operations, making rapid recovery efforts important for transport and logistics businesses.

Public reaction and security concerns

Residents in parts of Asaba and Warri have welcomed the operations, although some community members continue to call for sustained policing rather than occasional crackdowns.

Civil society groups have also urged authorities to balance enforcement with rehabilitation programmes for drug users and stronger youth engagement initiatives.

The police have repeatedly encouraged residents to provide intelligence that could help prevent crime and improve community security.

What the police said

Commissioner of Police Yemi Oyeniyi urged residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies with credible information.

“All suspects found culpable will be brought to justice,” he said.

The Command asked members of the public to report suspicious activities through its control room emergency line.

Nigeria has announced a new partnership with RwandAir to expand its air cargo export corridor under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in a move aimed at lowering shipping costs and boosting access to African markets for Nigerian businesses.

The announcement was made on Africa Day 2026 by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) in Abuja.

The new agreement extends Nigeria’s export corridor to Kigali in Rwanda, Harare in Zimbabwe and Lusaka in Zambia, while also providing exporters with an additional cargo carrier option for Nairobi and Johannesburg routes.

Government officials say the initiative could significantly reduce the cost of moving Nigerian goods across the continent, especially for small and medium-sized exporters.

Why the partnership matters

Before the cargo corridor was introduced, Nigerian exporters reportedly paid between $3 and $10 per kilogram to ship goods to East and Southern Africa.

According to the ministry, those costs made many Nigerian products less competitive in African markets.

Under the new RwandAir arrangement, cargo rates will fall to below $2 per kilogram across all five destinations.

The partnership builds on an earlier agreement signed with Uganda Airlines in 2025, which introduced discounted cargo routes to Uganda, Kenya and South Africa.

Officials said the corridor is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to turn AfCFTA from a policy framework into a practical trade tool for businesses.

Non-oil exports rise

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the initiative is already producing measurable economic results.

“One year ago, we promised that the AfCFTA would work in practice for Nigerian businesses, not only on paper,” she said.

“We set out to solve a practical problem: Nigerian businesses have goods that African markets wanted, but the cost of cargo was too high.”

She added that Nigeria’s non-oil exports to African markets increased from $150m in 2024 to $207m in 2025.

“With RwandAir, we are widening the air cargo corridor, so that more Nigerian exporters can reach more markets at a cost that allows them to compete.”

Economists say expanding non-oil exports is critical for Nigeria as the country seeks to reduce dependence on crude oil revenues and strengthen regional trade ties.

Sectors expected to benefit

The ministry said the expanded corridor is expected to support businesses in:

Agribusiness

Fashion and textiles

Cosmetics

Processed foods

Light manufacturing

Exporters in these sectors have often cited logistics costs, customs delays and limited cargo options as major barriers to accessing African markets.

Trade analysts say cheaper and faster air freight could help Nigerian products become more visible across Africa, particularly under AfCFTA’s tariff reduction framework.

Regional cooperation under AfCFTA

The government said the RwandAir partnership also reflects growing economic cooperation between Nigeria and Rwanda.

Negotiations were led by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, alongside advisers from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa and the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office.

Officials linked the agreement to discussions between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame during the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali earlier in May 2026.

The ministry also acknowledged support from several institutions, including:

Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development

Nigeria Customs Service

Nigerian Export Promotion Council

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria

Nigerian Shippers’ Council

Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)

What’s next for exporters?

The RwandAir cargo partnership is expected to be formally launched in June 2026.

Nigerian exporters interested in using the corridor have been advised to contact licensed freight forwarders or cargo desks operated by Uganda Airlines and RwandAir at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The ministry also directed businesses to consult the report titled Accelerating Routes for Nigerian Exports into the AfCFTA for cargo rates and trade procedures.

Industry and public reaction

Business groups have welcomed the announcement, saying lower cargo costs could help Nigerian businesses compete more effectively within Africa.

Trade experts, however, say long-term success will depend on infrastructure efficiency, customs processing speed and sustained policy coordination across African markets.

Some exporters have also called for similar trade corridors covering West and North Africa to further deepen regional integration.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State says it has stepped up security operations across the state ahead of the Imoka Festival and political party primaries taking place on Saturday.

The agency also reassured Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha, of continued protection under the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative, as concerns over public safety and school security continue to grow nationwide.

The announcements were made in separate statements issued by the NSCDC Anambra State Command on 22 and 23 May 2026.

Security tightened ahead of festival and political activities

The State Commandant of the NSCDC in Anambra, Olatunde Maku, said residents should cooperate with security agencies during the Imoka Festival and political party primaries.

According to the Command, officers have been deployed to key locations across the state to prevent violence, maintain public order, and protect lives and property.

In an operational directive released ahead of the events, Commandant Maku instructed Area Commanders, Divisional Officers, and heads of tactical units to personally supervise security operations in their areas.

“The aim is to guarantee full security coverage, uphold law and order, and safeguard lives and property throughout the period,” the statement said.

The NSCDC warned against violence, voter intimidation, public display of weapons, and any activity capable of disrupting peace during the celebrations and political gatherings.

Residents were also advised against erecting structures that could block roads or hinder movement during the events.

Why the Imoka Festival matters

The Imoka Festival is one of the major traditional festivals celebrated in parts of Anambra State, attracting large crowds, cultural groups, traders, and visitors.

Security experts say such gatherings require increased surveillance because of the risk of crowd-related incidents, political clashes, and opportunistic crimes.

Political analysts also note that party primaries in Nigeria are often tense due to competition among aspirants and supporters, making coordinated security operations critical.

NSCDC assures FGGC Onitsha of school protection

In a separate development, the NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to securing schools in Anambra under the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative.

The assurance came during a familiarisation visit by the newly posted Principal of Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha, Mrs Cornelina Ukama, to the NSCDC headquarters in Awka.

Mrs Ukama thanked the Corps for what she described as years of consistent security support to the school.

She also pledged closer collaboration with the agency on student safety, discipline, emergency preparedness, and security awareness programmes.

Responding, Commandant Maku said the protection of schools remained a priority for the Corps.

“The protection of schools, students, and staff remains a top priority under our mandate. In line with the Safe Schools Initiative, we will sustain and improve our collaboration to ensure a secure learning environment free from threats,” he said.

He added that the NSCDC would continue to provide rapid response support and security coverage to educational institutions across the state.

Growing concern over school security in Nigeria

School safety has become a major national issue in recent years following incidents of attacks, kidnappings, and insecurity affecting learning environments in different parts of Nigeria.

The Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative was introduced to strengthen security coordination around schools and improve emergency response systems.

Security advocates say collaboration between schools, local communities, and security agencies is essential to reducing risks and improving student safety.

What’s next

The NSCDC said it would continue working with other security agencies before, during, and after the Imoka Festival and political primaries.

The Command also encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or threats to the nearest security formation.

Officials from the school and the NSCDC further agreed to strengthen cooperation through emergency drills, sensitisation programmes, and intelligence sharing.