Crime
5 drug kingpins bag 21 years imprisonment over Gabon, Australia-bond cocaine, opioids
5 drug kingpins bag 21 years imprisonment over Gabon, Australia-bond cocaine, opioids
By: Michael Mike
Five members of some international organized criminal groups (IOCG) recently arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with the seizure of 68.9 kilogrammes cocaine and tramadol at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos have been sentenced to combined 21 years imprisonment.
A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the trio of Olasupo Oladimeji; Muaezee Ogunbiyi; and Sola Adegoke who are leaders of one of the cartels were arrested following the seizure of 17.9 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms going to Sydney, Australia at the export shed of the MMIA Lagos on 26th August 2025.
He said in the course of investigation, 20.5 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from Ogunbiyi’s home in Lekki and a black Range Rover SUV marked RBC 459 EJ found in Adegoke’s residence in Ikeja GRA.
They were subsequently arraigned on five counts in charge number FHC/L/925C/2025 before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos on 30th October 2025, with the accused persons later pleading guilty to the charges against each of them.
Delivering his judgement on 31st October, Justice Kakaki sentenced each of them to five years imprisonment without the option of fine, bringing the total number of years in jail for the three of them to 15 years. The court further ordered that the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza Car seized from the convicts in the course of the investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Similarly, two kingpins of another syndicate: Obunike Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Chukwurah were arrested by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of 2.6 kilogrammes cocaine and 27.9 kilogrammes tramadol concealed in motor spare parts being taken to Gabon through the Lagos airport on 19th July 2025. At the end of investigation, the duo were charged and arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court Lagos on six counts in charge number FHC/L/980C.
Upon their arraignment last Tuesday, they both pleaded guilty and after a review of the facts of the case, the two defendants were convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment or payment of a fine of N2 million each in lieu of jail while the N4 million paid by Obunike to bribe NDLEA officers was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
5 drug kingpins bag 21 years imprisonment over Gabon, Australia-bond cocaine, opioids
Police arrest newly recruited suspected ISWAP member in Kwara
By: Zagazola Malama
The Police in Kwara have arrested a 20-year-old newly recruited suspected ISWAP member during a joint patrol operation in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
Police sources said the suspect, identified as Mallami Abubakar, was arrested on April 1 at about 8:00 a.m. during a routine patrol in Nanu community by a combined team of police operatives, national forest guards and Kaiama vigilante members.
According to the sources, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security surveillance in forested and border communities within the state.
The suspect, who hails from Isanlu-Dankuturu in Kogi State, was taken into custody for further investigation.
During interrogation, he allegedly confessed that he was contacted by a friend identified only as Babi from Babana village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, who invited him to join a suspected ISWAP/Lakurawa group in Farin Suna area of Baruten Local Government Area.
Police said investigations were ongoing to verify the claims and track other suspected members of the criminal network.
The command assured residents of continued collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to rid the state of criminal elements.
Police arrest newly recruited suspected ISWAP member in Kwara
Troops neutralise two suspected terrorists in ambush along Aulari–Kawuri axis in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised two suspected terrorists during a night ambush along the Aulari–Kawuri road ahead of Forward Operating Base Aulari in Borno State.
A military source told the Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 2:15 a.m. on March 31 after surveillance cameras sighted two suspected terrorists moving along the route towards Yale forest axis.
The source said troops of 202 Battalion swiftly engaged the targets after confirmation of hostile intent, resulting in the neutralisation of both suspects.
According to him, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to deny terrorists freedom of movement along key routes within the theatre of operations.
He added that troops patrol operations continue to prevent further infiltration by terrorist elements.
Troops neutralise two suspected terrorists in ambush along Aulari–Kawuri axis in Borno
Troops arrest suspected drug peddlers in Delta raid operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Battalion (Rear), in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested two suspected drug peddlers during a raid operation in Warri metropolis, Delta State.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 3:00 p.m. on March 31 at suspected drug hideouts in Ugborode, Agbarho, Uti communities, Airport Road and Ekpan general area.
The source said the joint team acted on credible intelligence targeting illicit drug distribution points within the metropolis.
He added that two suspects were arrested during the operation, while assorted illicit drugs and substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and codeine syrup were recovered.
According to him, the suspects and recovered items were handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
The source said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb drug abuse and related criminal activities in Delta State.
He reaffirmed the commitment of security agencies to sustain joint operations aimed at maintaining law and order across the Niger Delta region.
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