Mon. May 25th, 2026
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US President, Donald Trump has called for arrests after an escalator at the United Nations headquarters abruptly stopped working on Tuesday as he and First Lady Melania Trump stepped onto it.The sudden escalator outage, which nearly caused the First Lady to fall, was the first of at least three disruptions the 79-year-old president claimed to have noticed during his visit to address world leaders and diplomats at the UN General Assembly in New York.A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday Not one, not two, but three very sinister events! Trump wrote on Truth Social . First, the escalator going up to the Main Speaking Floor came to a screeching halt. It stopped on a dime. Its amazing that Melania and I didnt fall forward onto the sharp edges of these steel steps, face first. It was only that we were each holding the handrail tightly or, it would have been a disaster, the president continued. Video footage showed Melania Trump visibly jerking forward when the machine stopped.Trump alleged the escalator incident was absolutely sabotage, citing a Times of London report that UN staffers had been overheard joking about switching off the escalator to force him to walk. The people that did it should be arrested! the president fumed, demanding an immediate investigation and the preservation of all security tapes at the escalator, especially the emergency stop button. He added that the Secret Service is involved.A UN spokesperson, Stphane Dujarric, suggested that a member of the US delegation may have inadvertently triggered the stop. Dujarric stated that a videographer from the US delegation stepped onto the escalator ahead of the President and First Lady “in an effort to document their arrival.” As the videographer, who was traveling backward, reached the top, the escalator stopped. A subsequent investigation… indicated that the escalator had stopped after a built-in safety mechanism on the comb step was triggered at the top of the escalator, Dujarric explained. “The videographer may have inadvertently triggered the safety function described above.Trump claimed the mechanical failure was compounded by two other sinister events. His teleprompter stopped working as he delivered his address, and he alleged that no one in the auditorium without an earpiece could hear his remarks. It was stone cold dark, Trump said of the teleprompter. I immediately thought to myself, Wow, first the escalator event, and now a bad teleprompter. What kind of a place is this? He noted the teleprompter “kicked in about 15 minutes later.The president said he learned of the audio issue at the end of his speech when he asked Melania, How did I do?And she said, I couldnt hear a word you said, the president recounted.Concluding his statement, Trump declared, This wasnt a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.   This is insaneAs Trump arrived to the UN, the escalator stopped working the moment he stepped on it.Then the teleprompter stopped working the moment he got up to the podium to speak. pic.twitter.com/XBTgfr6zJ8 Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) September 23, 2025 The post Trump calls for arrests alleging UN escalator outage was absolutely sabotage appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

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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.