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75-year-old grandpa, 21 others arrested by NDLEA in a clampdown on illicit drugs in 7 states

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75-year-old grandpa, 21 others arrested by NDLEA in a clampdown on illicit drugs in 7 states

75-year-old grandpa, 21 others arrested by NDLEA in a clampdown on illicit drugs in 7 states

By: Michael Mike

A 75-year-old grandpa, Usman Bajama is among 22 suspects arrested in operations across seven states by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the last one week during which over a million bottles/capsules of banned new psychoactive substance, Akuskura and tramadol as well as 2,536 kilogrammes of cannabis were seized.

During the operations over 10 hectares of farms were destroyed in Edo and Adamawa states.

The septuagenarian, whose alias is Clemen, according to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi was arrested in the early hours of last Tuesday at Anguwan Sate, Mararraban Tola, Mayo Belwa council area of Adamawa State where he had a cannabis plantation from where 49 kilogrammes of the illicit substance was recovered.

Babafemi said in Kwara state, at least 19,878 bottles of the banned new psychoactive substance, Akuskura were intercepted by NDLEA operatives along Ilorin-Jebba highway last Wednesday and two suspects: Oladokun Oluwaseun, 49, and Ibrahim Jimoh,27, arrested. 

He said they both claimed the consignment packed in 35 jumbo sacks was loaded in Ibadan, Oyo state, and meant for distribution in Jos, Plateau state. 

Also Read: Three retired IGs, ex-DIG lobby AGF, others, for PSC top…

Earlier, two suspects: Ukoro Ifeanyi, 46, and Idowu Toyosi, 20, were arrested with 2,290 capsules of tramadol and 100 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Mararaba park, Ilorin. The drugs were brought in from Onitsha, Anambra state.

He said in Lagos state, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a Volvo truck loaded with 2,146 kilogrammes of cannabis at Sangotedo area of Ajah and three suspects: Abdulazeez Rasheed; Afeez Raheem and Moshood Suleiman were arrested, adding that at least, 979,119 capsules of expired pregabalin weighing 733 kilogrammes were recovered from Musbahu Ya’u, 28, and five others at Dansarai area of Kano state, while in Enugu state, 197.8 kilogrammes cannabis was recovered in a store at new market, Enugu last Tuesday

In the same vein, 117.7 kilogrammes of the psychoactive substance was intercepted along Okene-Abuja expressway in a truck coming from Lagos to Abuja.

In Edo state, six cannabis farmers were arrested when NDLEA operatives stormed their farms at Chigbite, Utese forest in Ovia North East local government area and Ekudo forest, Uhunmonde local government area, where over 10 hectares of cannabis plantation were destroyed and more than 193 kilogrammes of the processed illicit substance seized. Those arrested include: David Hanson; Ufuoma Progress; Marvelous  Armstrong; Marvelous Efe; Joshua Abubakar and Elijah Abubakar.

Meanwhile, anti-narcotics officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos have arrested two freight agents over attempts to smuggle 26.20 kilogrammes cannabis concealed in cereal packs through the SAHCO shed for export to Dubai, UAE. He said the consignment was abandoned at the shed before the airport security transferred it to NDLEA.

Babafemi said further investigation by the agency led to the arrest last Friday of Olatunbosun Abimbola, 34, who works at Ashadox Logistics Services, a cargo company. He said Abimbola confessed to the crime but stated that he acted on the instructions of his Managing Director, Oloyede Abiola, who was promptly arrested. 

According to him, the 40-year-old stated that due to the strict security measures put in place by the NDLEA, he was forced to abandon the cargo to avoid being detected.

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending the officers and men of Adamawa, Kwara, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Kogi, Edo and MMIA Commands for their resilience, charged them and others across the country to remain vigilant and committed to the collective goal of saving Nigeria from the drug scourge.

75-year-old grandpa, 21 others arrested by NDLEA in a clampdown on illicit drugs in 7 states

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Notorious bandit kingpin Jankare killed by rival in Katsina

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Notorious bandit kingpin Jankare killed by rival in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

A notorious bandit leader known as Jankare has been killed by a rival group during a violent dispute along the Dutsenma axis of Katsina State.

Zagazola report that the incident occurred after a disagreement erupted between Jankare and another bandit commander over recent criminal activities and control of territories in the area.

Jankare, who had long terrorised communities across parts of Dutsenma and neighbouring local government areas, was reportedly shot dead during the confrontation.

The slain bandit was notorious for leading several deadly attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling operations in the region. He was also known for maintaining an active presence on TikTok, where he often flaunted weapons and mocked security forces.

Sources disclosed that Jankare recently attended a meeting convened by bandit leaders to resolve disputes and coordinate operations before his fallout with rivals led to his death.

Security operatives are said to be monitoring the situation closely to prevent possible reprisal attacks among the rival groups.

Notorious bandit kingpin Jankare killed by rival in Katsina

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One killed as rival groups clash over Donga Central Mosque in Taraba

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One killed as rival groups clash over Donga Central Mosque in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

A violent clash between two rival groups over ownership of the Donga Central Mosque in Taraba State has claimed the life of one person and left property destroyed.

Sources said that the incident occurred on Tuesday evening following reports that members of the Izala Jos sect and the Danburam family were planning to forcefully gain access into the disputed mosque in Donga town.

Upon receiving intelligence about the planned confrontation, police authorities immediately summoned both parties and warned them against any act capable of breaching public peace.

In collaboration with other security agencies, personnel were deployed to the mosque to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

However, despite the intervention, both groups reportedly mobilised in large numbers, armed with dane guns, cutlasses and stones, leading to a violent clash.

Security operatives dispersed the rioters using smoke grenades, but not before one person, identified as Biliya Zakari, aged 20, of Asibiti Ward, was killed.

A temporary structure close to the mosque was also destroyed during the unrest.

Authorities said the area is now calm, though additional reinforcements have been requested to maintain peace and order.

One killed as rival groups clash over Donga Central Mosque in Taraba

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43 herders killed in renewed vigilante attacks in Kebbi, Niger States

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43 herders killed in renewed vigilante attacks in Kebbi, Niger States

By: Zagazola Makama

At least 43 Fulani herders have been killed in a series of coordinated attacks by suspected vigilante groups across parts of Kebbi and Niger States, according to community sources and local leaders.

Zagazola Makama report that the attacks, which occurred between Oct. 24 and 26, affected several rural settlements in Argungu, Arewa, and Bunza Local Government Areas of Kebbi State, where armed vigilantes reportedly invaded Fulani communities, killing dozens and setting houses ablaze.

In Lailaba District of Argungu LGA, particularly at Maini Fulani settlement, and in Bui and Tilli districts of Arewa and Bunza LGAs respectively, at least 37 people were killed, several others injured, and more than 200 houses destroyed. Many residents, including women and children, were displaced, while some persons remain missing.

Eyewitnesses said the attacks were carried out by groups of vigilantes who stormed the herders’ camps, shooting sporadically and torching homes. The violence was said to have begun on Oct. 24 in Argungu, followed by another on Oct. 25 in Bunza, and a third on Oct. 26 in Bui.

Community members alleged that the assailants came from neighbouring villages in Arewa LGA, including Yeldu District, while others involved in the Bui incident were said to have come from Tunga Bature, Tunga Tsoho, Bui, Sangela, and Danmairago villages.

Authorities in Kebbi have since visited the affected areas, promising to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice. The state government also assured displaced families of support and called for calm to prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, similar violence was reported in Edati Local Government Area of Niger State, where six Fulani herders were killed and more than 60 houses burnt on Sept. 21 in Ejjin, Runji, Majina, and Ginshi villages.

Such acts of reprisal and mob justice could worsen communal relations and heighten insecurity across the affected states.

Reacting to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned the attacks in a statement issued in Abuja by the association’s National Secretary, Bello Aliyu Gotomo.

The group described the killings and destruction of herders’ settlements as unjustified and inhumane, calling for the arrest and prosecution of all those involved.

MACBAN lamented that herders in the region were already contending with the activities of armed bandits locally referred to as Lakurawa, who extort illegal taxes, seize livestock, and terrorise rural dwellers.

“Now, in addition to these threats, peaceful herders are being attacked by vigilantes acting outside the law. Allowing people to take the law into their hands will only worsen insecurity across the state,” the statement warned.

The group further expressed grief over a similar incident in Niger State, where six Fulani herders were killed and more than 60 houses burnt by vigilantes on Sept. 21, 2025, in the communities of Ejjin, Runji, Majina, and Ginshi in Edati Local Government Area.

MACBAN said the violence followed a misunderstanding between a farmer and a herder, after which some vigilantes mobilised and attacked herders’ homes while the herder involved was already in police custody.

The association commended the Governor of Niger State for his prompt intervention, which prevented the crisis from escalating further.

MACBAN, however, called on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to urgently address the rising wave of insecurity affecting rural communities across the country, noting that the situation had severely impacted livestock rearing and farming activities.

“The security crisis in rural areas demands immediate and coordinated attention from all tiers of government to protect lives and livelihoods,” Gotomo stated.

43 herders killed in renewed vigilante attacks in Kebbi, Niger States

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