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US Airstrikes On Yemen's Houthi Rebels Kill At Least 31, Leave Over 100 Injured

The strikes were reportedly in response to the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, BBC reports.

The United States has launched a series of air strikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, described by President Donald Trump as "decisive and powerful."

The strikes were reportedly in response to the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, BBC reports.

The Houthi-run health ministry reported casualties, with at least 31 people killed and 101 injured in the strikes. The group, which controls Sanaa and northwestern Yemen but is not the internationally recognised government, stated that it would retaliate against the US actions.

Explosions were reported in Sanaa and Saada, the Houthis' stronghold near the Saudi border.

Unverified images showed black smoke rising near Sanaa's airport, which includes a military facility. The Houthis accused the US and UK of aggression targeting residential areas, though the UK did not participate in the strikes, providing only routine refueling support.

President Trump emphasised that such attacks on shipping in the Red Sea "will not be tolerated" and vowed to use "overwhelming lethal force" to achieve US objectives.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised the US actions, calling for an end to support for "Israeli genocide and terrorism" and the killing of Yemeni people.

The Houthis, claiming to act in support of Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, have targeted merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023.

Despite Western military deployments and air strikes, the group has continued its attacks, disrupting global trade routes and forcing shipping companies to reroute around southern Africa.

The Suez Canal, a critical passage for global trade, has been largely avoided by US-flagged ships due to security concerns. Trump warned the Houthis of severe consequences if their actions persisted, while the group remained defiant, pledging further escalation in response to aggression.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the situation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, emphasising that Houthi attacks on US and commercial vessels would not be tolerated.

Lavrov called for an immediate cessation of violence and urged political dialogue to prevent further bloodshed.

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BREAKING NEWS: The NDLEA has Intercepted Co***ne Concealed In Prayer Beads and Shoes

Several suspects connected to the illicit trade have been arrested by the agency’s operatives.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported the interception of multiple drug shipments concealed in items such as prayer beads and clothing, destined for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that on March 8, a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May, was apprehended at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy.

Upon searching her luggage, authorities discovered 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and one parcel of skunk, a highly potent strain of cannabis.

“She confessed to purchasing the drugs herself with the intention to resell them in Italy,” Babafemi stated.

In a separate operation at the Lagos airport’s export shed, NDLEA officers apprehended 60-year-old Yahaya Fatai Ayinla on March 11 as he attempted to ship clothing concealing 400 grams of skunk to New York.

The agency also uncovered several illicit shipments at logistics companies in Lagos. These included over two kilograms of narcotics, such as Loud, Molly, and tramadol, hidden in vitamin C bottles and women’s clothing bound for the United States.

Additionally, 230 grams of co***ne were discovered concealed in prayer beads, locally made shoe soles, and board game packs, destined for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE.

Babafemi reported that further nationwide crackdowns led to multiple arrests and significant drug seizures. In Kano State, 479 kg of compressed skunk was confiscated from 40-year-old Hassan Haruna on March 12. In Kogi State, 58,300 tramadol pills were intercepted on March 11 along the Kabba-Obajana highway.

In Kaduna State, 21-year-old Idris Hamza was caught with 4,900 tramadol pills in Kachia on March 13, while 2,900 pills were seized from Aminu Magaji in Hayin Banki on March 14.

In Kwara State, authorities confiscated 40,200 tramadol pills from two suspects on March 14 along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway, with an additional 21,700 capsules intercepted on March 13.

In Taraba State, Babafemi revealed that 35-year-old Polycarp Adeku was arrested with 15.77 kg of skunk in Kurmi Local Government Area on March 14.

Meanwhile, in Osun State, a commercial bus was intercepted on March 13 carrying 48.7 kg of cannabis strains, including Ghanaian Loud, Colorado, and Canadian Loud.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, a 58-year-old identified as Ade Esan was apprehended on March 11 with 27,800 tramadol pills, while 26-year-old Usman Mohammed was arrested for possessing both skunk and co***ne.

In Abia State, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi reported that operatives raided the Ntigha community in Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government Area on March 15. During the operation, they arrested Chinaza Nwogu, also known as Young Money, and seized he**in, methamphetamine, cannabis, co***ne, and N753,015 in cash.

Beyond enforcement efforts, the NDLEA sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, focusing on educating students, workers, and religious groups nationwide. Awareness initiatives were conducted in schools across Lagos, Adamawa, Kogi, Anambra, and Ekiti states.

According to Babafemi, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa praised the agency’s officers for their unwavering commitment and efforts.

“These seizures and arrests demonstrate our balanced approach to reducing both the supply and demand for illicit drugs in Nigeria,” Marwa said.

“We will continue to track and dismantle trafficking networks while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.

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