Police in Oyo State have arrested three men in Saki over allegations of same-sex sexual conduct, with investigations continuing to establish the circumstances of the case.

The Oyo State Police Command said operatives of its Monitoring Unit, Saki Operational Base, arrested the suspects following intelligence received on 29 September 2026.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on 16 October by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.

What the police say

The suspects were identified as Ayomide Lukeman, 22; Shuaib Aremu, 22; and Abdul-Rasheed Mufeed, 23.

According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the men allegedly admitted to engaging in homosexual acts. The command further alleged that two of the suspects said they had engaged in sexual activity with the third on multiple occasions.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the allegations and determine whether other individuals were connected to the case.

The statement did not provide details of any formal charges filed against the suspects or indicate whether they had been taken before a court.

Also Read: Anambra NSCDC Urges Schools to Tackle Exam Malpractice 

Legal questions remain

The arrests bring attention to the legal and human rights considerations that can arise in cases involving allegations of same-sex sexual conduct in Nigeria.

The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013 criminalises same-sex marriages and civil unions, as well as certain forms of public displays of same-sex relationships. Nigeria’s criminal laws also contain provisions relating to same-sex sexual activity, although the applicable provisions and penalties vary by jurisdiction.

The specific legal provisions, if any, being relied on in this case have not been identified in the police statement.

The allegations should not be treated as proof of guilt. The suspects’ legal status, any charges brought against them and the outcome of the investigation remain unclear.

Police promise further investigation

The Oyo State Police Command said it would conduct its investigation professionally, impartially and in accordance with the law.

It also urged residents to provide credible information to assist in crime prevention and investigation.

The command did not announce a timeline for completing the investigation or disclose whether further arrests were expected.

How to contact the police in Oyo State

The command provided the following emergency contacts for members of the public:

– Oyo State Call Response Centre: 615 (toll-free)

– Police Command Control Room: 08081768614

– Police Command Control Room: 07055495413

NigeriaUpdates will continue to follow developments in the case, including any formal charges, court proceedings or further statements from the police.

The interception of 400kg of suspected cannabis hidden inside a shipment of printing paper at Lekki Deep Sea Port has highlighted the role of intelligence gathering and cargo screening in detecting illicit goods moving through Nigeria’s maritime trade routes.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, said the 40-foot container contained 400 packages of the suspected drug concealed among 798 reams of A4 printing paper, with a stated duty-paid value of ₦2.26bn.

The container, marked PRSU1562064, was intercepted on August 19, 2026, following intelligence received by Customs officers. The exhibits were formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday, October 15, for further investigation.

The operation involved Customs, the NDLEA, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Lekki Freeport Terminal.

How intelligence led to the interception

Acting Customs Area Controller of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi, said officers flagged the container after receiving credible intelligence about its contents.

According to him, the shipment had arrived at Lekki Deep Sea Port and was scheduled for transfer by barge to a bonded terminal outside the Command under Customs’ transire procedure.

The Command diverted the container for further scrutiny after identifying potential security risks. A scan subsequently revealed anomalies, leading to a full physical examination involving the relevant agencies.

The examination uncovered seven pallets containing the suspected cannabis packages concealed inside the printing paper.

The use of ordinary commercial goods as concealment illustrates the screening challenge facing port authorities: suspicious shipments may require closer examination even when their declared cargo appears legitimate.

Customs: Drug trafficking will not be tolerated

Kukoyi said the seizure demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led enforcement, scanning technology and cooperation among security agencies.

“This is not merely about 400kg valued at over N2.26bn. It is a significant victory for public safety and national security,” he said.

He warned that illicit drugs contribute to addiction, organised crime, insecurity, family disintegration and the erosion of human capital.

Kukoyi also commended the officers involved in the operation and acknowledged the contributions of the NDLEA Lekki Port Command, DSS, NAFDAC and Lekki Freeport Terminal.

He credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, with promoting collaboration, consolidation and innovation in the Service’s enforcement activities.

“As Acting Controller, our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade must never be misconstrued as tolerance for illegality. We maintain zero tolerance for smuggling and drug trafficking,” Kukoyi said.

He added: “Our intelligence network is active and our enforcement resolve is unwavering.”

Also Read: NSCDC Links Telecom Mast Vandalism Suspect to Two Other Sites in Anambra 

NDLEA warns maritime drug traffickers

Receiving the seized exhibits, Commander of Narcotics at the NDLEA Lekki Port Area Command, Jonah Achema, said the operation demonstrated the agencies’ readiness to strengthen their collaboration against drug trafficking.

Achema congratulated Kukoyi on his appointment following the retirement of Comptroller H.K.A. Abubakar.

He said the seizure, recorded shortly after Kukoyi assumed office, sent a warning to those attempting to use maritime routes to move illicit drugs.

“This sends appropriate message to unscrupulous maritime drug criminals that their operations will only end in the drag net,” Achema said.

Achema described the consignment as a significant seizure and referred to the substance as 400kg of Cannabis Indica from Thailand. Customs, however, identified the seized substance as Cannabis Sativa in its account of the operation.

The agencies’ descriptions differ, and the substance’s precise classification and origin were not independently established in the information released at the briefing.

Previous opioid seizure valued at ₦35bn

Achema also cited an earlier seizure involving two containers of pharmaceutical opioids, including Tramadol 225 and Tramaking Royal 250.

According to him, the consignments weighed 46 tonnes and had an estimated street value of ₦35bn.

He said the latest operation aligned with the NDLEA’s strategy under its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), to disrupt and dismantle drug-trafficking networks.

“This container was to be flown even above the Port but was stepped down for 100% examination upon credible intelligence. The Command has almost made Lekki Port impervious for illicit drug shipments,” Achema said.

He pledged continued cooperation with Customs and other security agencies to prevent illicit substances from entering the country through the port.

What the seizure means for port security

Lekki Deep Sea Port is an important part of Nigeria’s maritime trade infrastructure, making effective cargo inspection relevant to both commercial activity and national security.

The latest interception demonstrates how intelligence can trigger additional screening and lead to the discovery of concealed consignments. However, the operation alone does not establish how frequently similar shipments evade detection or how effective screening is across the port system as a whole.

For importers, shipping companies, clearing agents and terminal operators, the agencies’ message was that legitimate trade must be protected while suspicious cargo is subjected to appropriate checks.

Both Customs and the NDLEA urged port operators, shipping companies, clearing agents, importers and members of the public to provide timely, credible information that could assist enforcement operations.

They stressed that ports should remain gateways for economic growth rather than routes for criminal activity.

The NDLEA is expected to continue its investigation following the transfer of the seized exhibits. The agencies did not identify any suspect or announce an arrest in the information provided about the operation.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State says a 39-year-old man arrested over the alleged vandalism of an IHS-MTN telecommunications mast in Awka has confessed to targeting two other sites.

The suspect, identified as Anuba Lucky Chisom from Amaputa, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, was arrested at about 4am on Thursday, October 15, near Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s temporary site in Okpuno, Awka South LGA.

The corps said its operatives recovered vandalised cables and other mast components from the suspect at the scene.

How the suspect was arrested

The NSCDC Anambra State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, said the arrest followed intelligence received during a routine patrol by the command’s anti-vandalism operatives.

According to the command, the information indicated unusual movement inside an IHS-MTN mast identified by site number IHS ANA 0888A, near the palace of the traditional ruler of Okpuno.

The operatives moved to the location and apprehended the suspect, the commandant said while presenting him at the state headquarters in Awka.

NSCDC suspects wider vandalism network

The command said preliminary investigations suggested that the suspect belonged to a syndicate allegedly responsible for a rise in vandalism incidents across Anambra State.

It added that Chisom had voluntarily confessed to vandalising two other sites before his arrest, attributing his actions to unemployment.

The claims have yet to be tested in court, and the suspect’s alleged involvement in other incidents remains subject to investigation.

The command did not identify the other two sites or provide details about when the alleged offences occurred.

Also Read: Nigeria Customs Seizes Unregistered Medicines, Cannabis in Ogun 

Why telecom infrastructure vandalism matters

Telecommunications masts and their supporting equipment help sustain mobile voice calls, internet access and other communication services.

Damage to such infrastructure can disrupt connectivity for residents and businesses, while repairs and equipment replacement can increase operating costs for telecom companies. The extent of any damage or service disruption at the affected Awka site was not disclosed.

The incident also highlights the importance of protecting critical infrastructure that supports communication, commerce and access to digital services.

However, the command did not provide figures on the frequency of telecom infrastructure vandalism in Anambra or the financial losses associated with recent incidents.

NSCDC warns vandals as investigation continues

Olatunde commended the operatives involved in the arrest and warned that the corps would not tolerate the destruction of critical national, state and local government assets.

He also cautioned against using unemployment as justification for criminal activity, warning alleged vandals and economic saboteurs that the command would intensify efforts to apprehend them.

The command urged residents to provide timely and credible information that could help security agencies prevent infrastructure vandalism and identify those responsible.

Olatunde has directed a thorough investigation into the case, after which the suspect is expected to be charged in court.

The NSCDC did not disclose whether other suspects had been arrested in connection with the alleged vandalism network.