Mon. May 25th, 2026
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Good morning,

Welcome to the Channels Morning Brief. We are focusing on the raid on Justice Mary Odili’s residence, PDP’s successful national convention, and Channels Television’s record win at the Nigerian Media Merit Award. 

Subscribe here to receive this news briefing in your inbox before 6:45am (WAT) every weekday.


Outrage over siege on Justice Odili’s residence

A file photo of Justice Mary-Peter-Odili.

 

On Friday, yet-to-be-identified security operatives laid siege on the Abuja residence of a Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili, brandishing a search warrant that has been found to contain irregularities. The condemnation of the siege – from the Nigerian Bar Association and senior lawyers – has been swift.

On Sunday, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, described the incident as an assassination attempt and asked the Federal Government to act within the next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, have denied any knowledge of the operation. 

Quotable: “The issue here has nothing to do with the Attorney General, we are happy he said he is not aware,” Governor Wike said. “We said, okay since you are not aware, we are giving you 48 hours to tell us who is responsible.”


President Buhari meets Tinubu

Buhari and Tinubu during the meeting in Abuja. Photo: Facebook/Femi Adesina.

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met with fellow APC stalwart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. The pair had previously met in London two months ago when Tinubu was recovering from a knee surgery. After the visit, the President left for Glasgow to attend the biggest climate change event of the year, COP26.

Quotable: “I want to thank, first of all, the President for his visit to my residence in London after the surgery; wishing me well and lifting my spirit,” Tinubu said after meeting the President. “Indeed, that is what an exceptional leader will do.”


PDP comes up with new executives

Senator Iyorchia Ayu is surrounded by members of the PDP Governors’ Forum as he gives a remark following his emergence as the new National Chairman of the main opposition party in Abuja on October 31, 2021.

 

After overcoming legal threats, the opposition party eventually held its National Convention on Saturday (and Sunday) and was able to elect new executives to pilot its affairs.

Former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, perhaps unsurprisingly being a consensus candidate, emerged as the new National Chairman. And a 25-year-old, Muhammed Suleiman, was elected National Youth Leader. You can find the full list of executives here.


Channels Television is Nigeria’s best TV station

Mr Ambrose Okoh gives the acceptance speech after receiving the award on behalf of the Channels Television family at the event held in Kogi State on October 31, 2021.

 

Nigeria’s ‘Home for the News’ was crowned the Best Television Station of the Year for a record 14th time at the Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA) on Saturday.

Channels Television’s Controller of Programmes, Mr Ambrose Okoh, and some senior staff members received the award on behalf of the organisation.

The NMMA award, which recognises media excellence in the country, is another proof of Channels’ leading role in news and broadcasting.


What else is happening?

Obinwanne Okeke: A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of two houses in Abuja and two cars traced to the convicted cybercriminal, also known as Invictus Obi.

NDLEA: A Federal High Court in Lagos has also permitted the drug control agency to confiscate a ship ferrying 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport. The agency has also arrested at least three suspects after intercepting illegal drug shipments bound for London, the United Kingdom.

SERAP: The civil society organisation says it is suing President Buhari “over his failure to probe allegations that over ₦880bn of public funds are missing from 367 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).”

Sudan: Anti-coup protesters have barricaded roads in the capital city, Khartoum, as a defiant civil disobedience campaign against military takeover in the North-African nation entered its seventh day.

COP26: The epochal climate change summit opened on Sunday and summit president Alok Sharma said the event’s climate negotiations are the “last, best hope” to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C alive.

Afghanistan: Taliban supreme leader made his first public appearance on Sunday since taking control of the radical Islamist group in 2016.


What to watch on YouTube

Anambra: Ahead of the governorship election on November 6, the military organised a show of force in the South-East state and gunmen shot at the convoy.

Rubbing Minds: Popular entertainer, BasketMouth, speaks on his many projects and had a word on Nigerian development.

Sunday Politics: Analysts dissect the just concluded PDP National Convention.


And that’s it for this morning. For more updates, visit www.channelstv.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/2Hb8hjx

Watch us on DSTV:420 | Sky UK: 518 | Live Stream: www.channelstv.com/live

By admin

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.