By Rukevwe odeh

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) aimed at strengthening the fight against illicit tobacco trade in the country.

The agreement is designed to improve regulatory compliance, enhance intelligence sharing, and support efforts to curb smuggling and other illegal activities within the tobacco supply chain. Both parties also said the partnership will help protect legitimate investments and boost government revenue.

Officials noted that the collaboration reflects ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation between Customs and private sector operators in order to secure trade channels and reduce the circulation of unregulated tobacco products in Nigeria.

By working together under the new framework, NCS and BATN say they hope to strengthen enforcement capacity and promote a more transparent and compliant business environment in the industry.

By Rukevwe odeh

The Delta State Police Command has arrested 32 suspected cultists in a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations across different parts of the state, recovering firearms, ammunition, communication devices, and suspected illicit drugs.
According to police authorities, the operations were carried out in response to rising cult-related violence and other criminal activities in the state. Officers from various tactical units stormed suspected criminal hideouts, where multiple arrests were made and dangerous items seized.
During the raids, security operatives reportedly recovered pump-action shotguns, locally fabricated firearms, live ammunition, and other weapons believed to have been used in cult clashes and armed criminal activities. In addition, communication equipment such as walkie-talkies and other gadgets suspected to be used for coordination among cult groups were also seized.
The police further disclosed that quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and hard drugs were recovered from some of the suspects, raising concerns about the link between cultism, drug abuse, and violent crime in the region.
One of the major operations involved a large-scale raid on a suspected cult gathering point, where several suspects were arrested following intelligence reports of planned initiation activities and attacks on rival groups. Some suspects reportedly attempted to resist arrest, but were overpowered by the police.
The command noted that the arrested individuals are currently undergoing profiling and interrogation, while investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the syndicates and recover additional weapons.
Authorities also reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying anti-cult operations across Delta State, stressing that the crackdown is part of broader efforts to restore peace, dismantle criminal networks, and curb the proliferation of illegal arms.
Residents were urged to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations aimed at reducing crime in the state.

By Favour Bibaikefie

WARRI, DELTA STATE — The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has called on governors of the South-South region to urgently revive and adequately fund the BRACED Commission as part of a coordinated strategy to address growing security concerns across Nigeria and prevent criminal networks from gaining a stronger foothold in the Niger Delta.

In a statement issued on Thursday, June 18, 2026, and signed by the Secretary of the Forum, Tare Magbei, on behalf of the National Executive Council of the IPF, the media body warned that the worsening security situation across the country requires immediate regional action.

The Forum expressed concern over the increasing spread of kidnapping, banditry and other forms of violent criminality beyond their traditional hotspots, noting that the trend poses a significant threat to the South-South region if proactive measures are not taken.

According to the statement, recent security developments across the country indicate that criminal activities are becoming more widespread and sophisticated, making regional cooperation increasingly necessary.

IPF noted that reports have shown that criminal groups are extending their operations into new areas, creating fresh security challenges for states that previously experienced lower levels of insecurity.

The Forum stated: “The South-South governors must treat these developments as a serious warning. No responsible regional leadership should wait until bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and criminal cartels become entrenched before acting.”

The group further observed that parts of the South-South, particularly Delta State and other border communities, are already experiencing pressure from security threats originating from neighbouring regions, while long-standing challenges such as kidnapping, cult-related violence, crude oil theft and organized criminal activities continue to affect the Niger Delta.

IPF emphasized that criminal networks operate without regard for state boundaries, making isolated responses ineffective in tackling evolving security threats.

The statement warned: “A threat that enters Edo today can move into Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa or Cross River tomorrow if there is no common security architecture backed by intelligence sharing, maritime surveillance and joint emergency response.”

The Forum described the current inactivity of the BRACED Commission as unfortunate, especially at a period when stronger regional collaboration is required to address both security and developmental concerns.

Established by the governments of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states, the BRACED Commission was designed to promote economic integration, development planning, security cooperation and collective growth within the South-South geopolitical zone.

However, IPF lamented that the regional institution has remained largely dormant despite mounting security challenges confronting communities across the region.

The media advocacy group therefore called on the governors of the six South-South states to convene a high-level summit aimed at revitalizing the commission and strengthening regional security structures.

The statement specifically demanded that the governors “immediately convene a South-South Security and Development Summit to revive the BRACED Commission, establish a regional security coordination centre, strengthen intelligence gathering, and create a united response against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, sea piracy and economic sabotage.”

IPF stressed that the South-South remains critical to Nigeria’s economy due to its vast oil and gas resources, maritime assets, commercial activities and strategic infrastructure, arguing that the region cannot afford to be caught unprepared in the face of emerging security threats.

The Forum further stated: “The South-South remains Nigeria’s economic backbone. Its creeks, roads, schools, markets, oil facilities and communities must not be left exposed because of political indifference or delayed action.”

Concluding its appeal, the Forum urged governors of the region to demonstrate leadership and foresight by taking immediate steps toward regional security cooperation.

“The governors must act now. Delay will be dangerous. Silence will be costly. History will not forgive any leadership that saw the warning signs and failed to prepare,” the statement added.

Observers believe the renewed call for the activation of the BRACED Commission may reignite discussions on regional security collaboration, particularly as Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security challenges across several geopolitical zones.