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74-Year-Old Man Arrested With 11kg Cocaine at Abuja Airport as NDLEA Uncovers Major Drug Trafficking Network

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74-Year-Old Man Arrested With 11kg Cocaine at Abuja Airport as NDLEA Uncovers Major Drug Trafficking Network

By: Michael Mike

A 74-year-old man has been arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uncovered 11 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in his luggage, in what authorities described as part of a widening crackdown on drug trafficking networks operating across Nigeria.

A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, stated that the suspect, identified as Ikwuakalom Emeka, was intercepted at the departure hall of the airport on Saturday while attempting to board a British Airways flight BA082 to London’s Heathrow Airport.

He said the NDLEA officers discovered the large consignment of cocaine concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons in an apparent attempt to beat airport security checks. The septuagenarian reportedly claimed he was travelling to the United Kingdom for vacation before the drugs were uncovered during a thorough search of his luggage.

Babafemi said the arrest came amid a wave of coordinated anti-narcotics operations by the agency across several states, leading to the seizure of large quantities of opioids and cannabis as well as the arrest of multiple suspects linked to drug distribution networks.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence stormed a hotel in Victoria Island where they arrested Maryam Olalowo while she allegedly attempted to sell cocaine and a strain of cannabis known as Canadian Loud. She was found in the company of her three children, including an infant.

During interrogation, she told investigators the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was subsequently arrested the same day. Authorities later discovered that he had previously been arrested, convicted and jailed for two and a half years in 2015 for a similar drug offence.

Further operations in Lagos Island led to the arrest of two suspects at Ebute Ero with 68,000 pills of tramadol of varying strengths loaded in a truck allegedly destined for the Benin Republic.

A follow-up raid at Idumota market resulted in the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, Nnamdi Cyprian, after officers found a parcel containing 1,000 tramadol tablets prepared for dispatch through a waybill service. Another raid at the market days later led to the arrest of a suspect, Nwanosike Kelvin, and the recovery of 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection from his shop.

The crackdown also extended to northern Nigeria where NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect in Kano with 386 kilogrammes of skunk, while another suspect was apprehended in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory with 282.2 kilogrammes of the same substance.

In Edo State, operatives raided cannabis farms inside the Egwa forest reserve in Orhionmwon Local Government Area where a suspect was arrested and more than 4.2 tonnes of skunk destroyed on two plantations.

Meanwhile, authorities intercepted 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in two containers at the Apapa seaport in Lagos during a joint inspection involving NDLEA, customs officers and other security agencies.

The agency said the containers had been placed under surveillance following intelligence reports suggesting they were being used to smuggle opioids into the country.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Maj. Gen. Buba Marwa commended officers involved in the operations across Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Edo and the Federal Capital Territory, urging them to sustain the momentum in tackling both the supply and demand sides of drug abuse.

He also highlighted the agency’s ongoing War Against Drug Abuse campaign, which has continued to reach schools and communities nationwide through sensitisation programmes aimed at discouraging drug use among young people.

74-Year-Old Man Arrested With 11kg Cocaine at Abuja Airport as NDLEA Uncovers Major Drug Trafficking Network

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Troops recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna

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Troops recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have recovered the bodies of four herders allegedly killed by local youths in a reprisal attack in Kamantan Chiefdom, Kaduna State.

Security sources said the incident followed a kidnapping episode at Zuturuntinta village, where the herders were reported missing.

The sources disclosed that troops received intelligence on April 4 indicating that the victims were attacked and killed while relocating with their cattle to a safer location on the same night of the incident.

“They were reportedly intercepted and attacked by some angry youths, allegedly in retaliation for the death of a local during the kidnapping incident,” the source said.

Following the report, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in the area requested military assistance to mobilise the community for a search operation to locate the missing herders.

Troops were immediately deployed to the village, where they convened a meeting with community members, including the village head.

The village head was said to have provided local hunters and members of the Kaduna Vigilante Service (KADVS) to support the search alongside troops and Fulani representatives.

During the operation, troops identified multiple indicators suggesting the herders had been killed.

“Following blood trails, troops discovered a shallow grave where the four victims were buried,” the source added.

Items recovered at the scene included two mobile phones.

The remains of the victims were reburied at the same location in accordance with Islamic rites, with the consent of their families and Fulani community leaders.

The Sector Commander has directed community leaders to produce those responsible for the killings not later than Wednesday to face justice and help restore peace in the area.

Troops have since been deployed to reinforce security and prevent possible reprisal attacks.

Troops recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna

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Troops recover suspected rustled cattle in Plateau

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Troops recover suspected rustled cattle in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have recovered suspected rustled cattle during a night patrol in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources said the recovery was made on April 3 at about 10:05 p.m. following intelligence on the movement of suspected cattle rustlers along Suma Ruga Rakwok village axis.

It was gathered that troops deployed at Kanse laid an ambush along a bush path in the area.

On sighting the troops, the rustlers reportedly abandoned the cattle and fled into the surrounding bush.

The recovered livestock have been secured, while efforts are ongoing to ascertain the exact number and identify the rightful owners.

Sources added that Fulani community leaders would be contacted to facilitate proper identification and handover of the cattle.

Troops recover suspected rustled cattle in Plateau

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Troops neutralise kidnapper, rescue victim in Enugu

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Troops neutralise kidnapper, rescue victim in Enugu

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation UDO KA have neutralised a suspected kidnapper and rescued a victim during a search-and-rescue operation in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Security sources said the operation was conducted on April 3 at about 6:05 a.m. following a distress call from the Nigeria Police, Obolo Division, based on a report by the Ezimo Community Neighbourhood Watch.

It was gathered that the troops, drawn from 82 Division Garrison and Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, made contact with the suspected kidnappers during the operation, leading to a gun battle.

One of the suspects was neutralised, while others fled into the surrounding bush.

During exploitation of the area, the troops successfully rescued the kidnapped victim.

Items recovered at the scene included six mobile phones, a power bank, a torchlight, energy drinks, clothing and food items.

The corpse of the neutralised suspect and the rescued victim were handed over to the police for further action.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure the area remains secure.

Troops neutralise kidnapper, rescue victim in Enugu

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