Crime
74-Year-Old Man Arrested With 11kg Cocaine at Abuja Airport as NDLEA Uncovers Major Drug Trafficking Network
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
Troops foil attack on commuters, kill eight terrorists in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 17 Brigade, Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with hybrid forces, have foiled a planned terrorist attack on commuters along the Kakumi–Guga Road in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, neutralising eight suspected terrorists.
Security sources disclosed that the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that armed terrorists loyal to a notorious kingpin, identified as Idi Abasu Aiki, were planning to attack motorists and other road users along the route.
According to the sources, the terrorists were sighted advancing towards the target area on five motorcycles, prompting troops and the hybrid forces to swiftly mobilise and establish a carefully coordinated ambush along their likely route.
The troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, during which eight of the assailants were neutralised.
Following the operation, the troops conducted exploitation of the area and recovered two AK-47 rifles and five motorcycles used by the terrorists.
The sources said troops have continued to dominate the general area through aggressive patrols and surveillance operations to forestall any retaliatory attacks against nearby communities and commuters.
The successful operation is part of ongoing efforts by Operation FANSAN YAMMA to deny terrorists freedom of movement and improve security across Katsina State and the wider North-West region.
Troops foil attack on commuters, kill eight terrorists in Katsina
Troops Arrest Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Supplier with Motorcycle Tyres in Yobe
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 233 Tank Battalion, in collaboration with members of the Yobe State Hunters Group, have arrested a suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics supplier in Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Zarami Ali, 27, a native of Ngirya Village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area, was arrested at about 1:30 p.m. on July 7 during an intelligence-led operation.
According to the sources, the suspect was found in possession of five motorcycle tyres, which preliminary investigation indicated were intended for delivery to Boko Haram fighters operating in Ngirya Village.
The recovered tyres and the suspect have been taken into the custody of the 233 Tank Battalion for further investigation and necessary action.
Military sources said the arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to dismantle terrorist logistics networks by intercepting supplies destined for insurgent enclaves across the North-East.
They added that sustained intelligence-driven operations targeting logistics suppliers and collaborators have continued to disrupt the movement of materials essential to the operations of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
Troops Arrest Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Supplier with Motorcycle Tyres in Yobe
Troops Arrest Wanted Suspect, Recover AK-47 Rifle in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a wanted criminal and recovered an AK-47 rifle with ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Adamawa State.
Sources said that the suspect, Umar Sani, 27, was apprehended by troops of the 232 Battalion (Tactical) in collaboration with local hunters in Gombi Local Government Area.
According to the sources, preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect had concealed an AK-47 rifle in his hometown of Kwashan, Toungo Local Government Area.
Acting on the information, troops deployed a patrol team to the community, where they recovered the assault rifle along with 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two AK-47 magazines.
The sources said the suspect and the recovered weapon had been taken into military custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
They noted that the arrest was part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations by Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt criminal and terrorist networks operating within the North-East and adjoining areas.
Troops Arrest Wanted Suspect, Recover AK-47 Rifle in Adamawa
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