Tue. May 26th, 2026
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Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a heart-stopping 1-0 victory over newly promoted Burnley in their encounter on Sunday at Turf Moor Stadium.
Naija News reports that Arne Slot’s men earned all three points courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty converted by Mohamed Salah after a handball by Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri in the 95th minute.
Burnley had shown grit, defending well for most of the match despite being reduced to 10 men following Ugochukwu’s red card in the 84th minute.
Salah’s goal not only preserved Liverpool’s 100% record (4 wins from 4) but also moved him into 4th place on the Premier League’s all-time scoring list with 188 goals.
Haaland’s Shine In Manchester Derby
In the Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City delivered a commanding performance to defeat Manchester United 3-0.
Naija News reports that Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a well-timed header.
Erling Haaland added two goals after the break (in the 53rd and 68th minutes), underscoring his red-hot form.
The win was a statement considering City snapped their earlier stumbles this season, while United’s struggles deepen, with this result piling more pressure on manager Ruben Amorim.
Liverpool remain top of the table, undefeated, but questions linger over how often they survive late dramas. Their ability to grind out wins counts, but fans will want more control in their performances.
Manchester City reclaim confidence. With Haaland in form, they’ve shown they can deliver decisively in big matches.
For United, the derby loss is worrying; their season is off to a rocky start.
Key Results From Saturday’s Matches
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Martin Zubimendi stole the show with a brace, and Viktor Gyokeres added a goal as Arsenal dominated Forest.
Naija News reports that Mikel Arteta’s side dealt with the visitors despite having injury concerns, especially after Odegaard’s shoulder issue.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 West Ham United
Spurs responded in style in the London Stadium derby. Pape Matar Sarr opened the scoring early in the second half, and after West Ham were reduced to 10 men (Souček sent off in the 54th), Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven added further goals to seal a convincing win.
Brentford 2-2 Chelsea
A dramatic comeback from Brentford denied Chelsea all three points.
After trailing and then seeing Chelsea take a late lead, Brentford’s Fábio Carvalho equalised in stoppage time from a long throw, snatching a draw in the 93rd minute.
Other results from Saturday’s Matches include:

Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton
Crystal Palace 0-0 Sunderland
Everton 0-0 Aston Villa
Fulham 1-0 Leeds United
Newcastle United 1-0 Wolves

The post Premier League Matchweek 4 Recap: Salah Sends Liverpool Top Again As Haaland Shines In Derby appeared first on Naija News.

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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.