Mon. May 25th, 2026
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Onuorah Chuka, a Delta-based businessman, has narrated how EasyBuy, a payment platform that allows customers to pay for gadgets and home appliances in installments, and Intelligra Solutions Ltd., a mobile phone store, made him pay N434,235 instead of N167,400 for a faulty Samsung A04E mobile phone over a period of 12 months.

Speaking with EQToday on Monday, Chuka said when he first purchased the phone on February 2, 2023, he paid an initial deposit of N13,950 and was told he would have to complete the payment over a period of 12 months.

He further said that he had not used the device for more than two weeks when it developed a fault and he returned to Intelligra for repairs or a replacement.

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“When I got there, they asked me to drop the phone and asked me to return in three days. After three days, I returned there, and they requested three more days to identify the problem and resolve it. Later, they told me they wanted to order the phone’s panel from Lagos. So, I waited, and they did not return the phone until about a month later,” Chuka told EQToday.

Chuka’s purchase receipt from Intelligra Solutions

Chuka said despite the back and forth, the device continued to malfunction but Intelligra Solutions Ltd. only asked him to keep paying for the phone as it was a loan.

“I took the phone from them, but it continued to malfunction. It was becoming unbearable. I returned there, and all they told me was that I should keep paying for the phone because it was a loan,” Chuka told EQToday.

“They told me the phone had two-year insurance. I can confirm this because there is a warranty sticker on the phone, but they refused to replace it.”

Debits Chuka incurred on the faulty phone

The businessman said that as of February 2024, he had been forced to pay over N400,000, which is twice the said loan, for the defective Samsung phone. This money was deducted directly from this bank, and, sometimes, he made direct recharges on his line.

“For a very long time, I dropped the phone; however, they started to deduct my money around August. This made me stop putting money in my account,” said Chuka.

“I paid an initial payment of N13,950 and N14,000 twice in October and November via 812pin#.

The faulty phone sold to Onuorah

“This does not include the mobile deductions from my line whenever I recharged. In all, I have paid N434,235 for a phone I never got to use. I feel cheated, and I want my money back.”

READ ALSO: Abuja Police Arrest Student in Barbershop, Detain Him for 16 Hours Just to Extort Money

When EQToday tried to reach Intelligra Solutions Ltd. for comments on May 27, the phone numbers listed on Chuka’s receipt were not available. Also, text messages sent to them were not responded to.

EQToday also dialled the phone number found on their website, but it wasn’t reachable. A text message sent to the number has also not been responded to.

When EQToday contacted EasyBuy’s support via email, after much back and forth, they said they would investigate the claim and asked our reporter to provide evidence of the debits received by the customer.

The post How EasyBuy, Intelligra Solutions Made Delta Resident Pay Additional N267,000 for Faulty Mobile Phone appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.

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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.