Crime

Lagbaja And Banditry Battle In North-West Nigeria

Published

3 years ago

December 11, 2022

Lagbaja And Banditry Battle In North-West Nigeria

By Zagazola Makama

The asymetric warfare that involves the Nigerian military on one hand, and the twin crimes of terror-banditry and kidnapping on the other, in Northwest Nigeria has raged on over the last eleven years in a startling fashion; much akin to what obtains in every other clime tormented by any form of terror across the globe.

The warfare has raged on in the fashion of the wild bushfire, with both sides unrelentingly beefing up their arsenals, refining their strategies and upscaling their combat-readiness.

The military deployed more troops, weapons and equipment, as the banditry sponsors do same, with the recruitment of more bandits, unleashing a more devastating terror across the Northwestern and parts of the Northcentral Nigeria.

Residents in Northwest Kaduna witnessed increasing threat of banditry, a type of organized crime that includes kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape and cattle-rustling.

The Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād Boko Haram terrorist organization, which aimed to expand its base beyond Northeast Nigeria, largely due to the sustained intensified intelligence-led aerial and ground coordinated offensives begun forming alliances with bandit groups.

The situation generated a growing set of intricacies in the warfare, requiring not just the deployment of more troops, weapons and other equipment at the front line, but a genuinely patriotic, committed and exceptionally-intelligent command to guide the operations of the troops in their combat with the criminal non-state actors.

This command is, perhaps, the most-critical component of the military prowess required in its operations against, not just the non-state actors, but every other enemy force in every other form of warfare.

The 1 Div of the Nigerian Army headquartered in Kaduna, coordinating the operations of lower formations across the Northwest, has, all along, commanded the operations of the ground troops combating the global-scale menace in the Northwest, in collaboration and synergy with the Air Task Force component of the military, the government of Kaduna State and other security agencies.

Successive General Officers Commanding (GOCs) 1 Div, had to, therefore, employ exceptional patriotism; committment to the oneness, peace and security of indivisible Nigeria; and intelligence for proper coordination of the operations of troops in asymmetric warfare.

The GOCs had, since 2011, when terror-banditry first erupted in Zamfara, played commendable roles in combating the menace in their respective ways with the resources available to them during their respective tenures.

The present tenure of Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, as the 39th GOC complements the past efforts with outstanding innovation and improved strategy.

Spurred by his flawless understanding of the complexities of the asymmetric war tactics of the Bandits/Boko Haram terrorist sect, General Lagbaja, in line with the clear directives of the military leadership, evolved a winning strategy that fosters complimentary roles between the Nigerian Army, Air Task Force and the Joint Task Force executing the campaign in the frontline.

In a landmark rejigging of strategy, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, inducted Special Forces Battalion into Northwest Operation Forest Sanity, supervised by Gen. Lagbaja to match whatever new strategies the terrorists may have evolved to outwit and overwhelm the capacity of the army to tackle them.

Before the deployment of the Special Forces, military operations were, hitherto, limited to roadblocks and checkpoints, escort duties and providing security for road construction workers. Battles are seldom carried to the main Boko Haram and Bandits camps.

The induction of the special forces, especially the 402 SF Brigade with her 2 Special Forces Battalions comprising of the 134 SF and 198 SF as well as the 167 SF And DHQ SOF, significantly changed the pattern of the operations of the troops in terrorised Kaduna State

Troops of the special forces sleep in the jungle, a gladdening confirmation of the fact that the military now takes the offensive to the terrorists rather than mounting road blocks and check points. This has enhanced the endurance of the troops for more successful combats with the bandits.

With the refinement of combat strategies by the Lagbaja-led 1 Div, the military began to write spectacular success stories in its battle against terror-banditry in the larger chunk of the Northwest, especially in Kaduna State where the ongoing wave of onslaughts against criminals in their enclaves has drawn significant praises.

The team’s act of bravery and commitment influenced the defeat of the terrorists in the axis of Kuriga, Manini Chikun, Pole Wire, Birnin Gwari, Ungwan Namama, Kwalba, Rafin Dawa Dende,Ungwan Madaki, Buruku, Udawa, Doka, Maganda, Dogon Dawa, Sabon Layi-Kuriga-Maganda-Farin Ruwa, Sabon Birni, Kuyelo,Farin Ruwa, Damba to Kangon Kadi, Labi,Udawa river Apewohe, Dakwala and Kunai among others.

The unit’s contributions also led to death of many terrorists, in Maidaro, Kagi Hill, Kusharki, Zartake, Ungwan Lima Riyawa, Tungan Madaki, Gengere,Kaso Gwagwada-Chikun-Sarkin Pawa Kidandan, Giwa LGA. Galadimawa, Dogon Dawa, Saulawa, Maidaro, Maganda, Goron Dutse, Sararai, Kushaka, Kuriga, and Yelwa among others.

The successes recorded on the operations led to the capturing of several enemy weapons, motorcycles, rescue of captured victims and destruction of terrorists enclaves.

The team artfully ensured that flashpoints within the Kaduna General area were kept in check to prevent any form of dissent or criminal activities from any quarter.

So delightening have been the success stories of the army operations against the bandits that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, felt obliged to rain commendations on the troops under 1 Div for their gallantry and urged them not to relent until terrorism and other criminalities are brought to an end in the region.

Though unsung in the pages of Nigerian newspapers or television screens, the numerous successful operations which had resulted to the death of yet-to-be-specified number of terrorists and destruction of their sanctuaries and strongholds can never be downplayed.

Zagazola is a Counterinsurgency Expert and Security Analyst

Crime

5 drug kingpins bag 21 years imprisonment over Gabon, Australia-bond cocaine, opioids

Published

17 hours ago

November 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

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

Crime

NDLEA Warns on the Danger of Medicinal Cannabis

Published

3 days ago

November 5, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NDLEA Warns on the Danger of Medicinal Cannabis

..Insists All Forms of Cannabis Are Destructive, Remain Banned in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alerted the general public about the circulation of dangerous illicit substances being falsely packaged and marketed to the public as medicinal cannabis.

A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi on Wednesday said the public alert comes on the heels of credible intelligence, which led to the arrest of a 28-year-old drug kingpin Afeez Salisu (a.k.a Malu) last Saturday at his 2 Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos State enclave from where he was packaging and distributing the fake medicinal cannabis in designer pouches and cups.

Babafemi disclosed that a total of 16.4 kilogrammes of dangerous and synthetic strains of cannabis including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud and Ghana Loud packaged in designer pouches and cups labelled as medicinal cannabis, were recovered from his store.

He said: “The Agency therefore wishes to warn Nigerians especially the youth that these so-called medicinal products are, in reality, adulterated and highly potent strains of dangerous psychoactive substances, and are not the regulated, safe pharmaceutical preparations they are purported to be.

“Investigations by the agency have confirmed that the seized and recovered products being peddled under the guise of therapeutic cannabis contain dangerously high concentrations of illicit and harmful strains of cannabis, including Loud, known for its extreme potency and severe psychological effects; Arizona, a highly concentrated and destructive variant of cannabis; and Colorado, a potent, often synthetic, strain with devastating consequences on the user’s mental and physical health.”

He added that: “Rather than the purported medicinal cannabis in the designer pouches and cups, the strains are highly addictive and pose a significant, immediate threat to public health and safety because they are associated with severe mental health issues, including psychosis, acute anxiety, paranoia, and other long-term cognitive impairments, especially among young people.”

Speaking on the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) stated that “the criminal elements behind this deceit are only exploiting the global conversation around medicinal cannabis to push their illicit and life-destroying products into our communities. He reiterated that cannabis remains a prohibited substance in Nigeria and as such any product being sold locally under the guise of ‘medicinal cannabis’ is not only fake, and dangerous but also illegal.”

The NDLEA boss urged the public to be vigilant and not be deceived by misleading labels, fancy packaging, or false health claims. He added that: “Please do not consume it, report any person or group involved in the illicit trade of these dangerous substances to the nearest NDLEA office.”

NDLEA Warns on the Danger of Medicinal Cannabis

Crime

Troops humiliate ISWAP in Malam Fatori, neutralized several fighters as it repel dawn attack

Published

4 days ago

November 4, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops humiliate ISWAP in Malam Fatori, neutralized several fighters as it repel dawn attack

By: Zagazola Makama

In the predawn calm of Mallamfatori, a strategic town on the fringes of Lake Chad, troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the Nigerian Army stood their ground against one of the most daring attacks launched recently by ISWAP fighters.

Zagazola report that at about 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, terrorists targeted Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kangar with a coordinated assault involving armed drones, mortar shelling and rapid ground movement. The assault was clearly intended to overwhelm the base and inflict mass casualties.

According to sources, the troops supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) absorbed the initial barrage, reorganised and pushed back fiercely. A reinforcement team from the main battalion swiftly joined the fight, mounting a counteroffensive.

What followed was a brief, intense firefight that shattered the attackers’ momentum. The attack was decisively repelled. Troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high,” a senior field commander said.

The decisive turnaround came when Nigerien ground attack platforms joined the fight from the MNJTF axis, striking the terrorists’ firing positions. The joint force counter-assault forced the attackers to abandon their assault plan and flee toward the waterways of the Tumbuns.

Troops immediately conducted exploitation of the battlefield, confirming six terrorists neutralised and recovering a significant cache of weapons.

Recovered items include:5 x AK-47 rifles, 8 x AK-47 magazines, 258 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 5 x RPG bombs, 4 x armed drone bombs and 5 x 36 hand grenades.

Several other bodies of terrorists were seen being evacuated by their fleeing comrades, indicating a higher casualty figure on the enemy side.

As the terrorists attempted to retreat deeper into the Tumbuns, the Nigerien Air Force conducted additional air strikes, targeting clustered movements detected by surveillance feeds. The strikes reportedly neutralised “additional scores” of the fleeing fighters.

Despite the use of armed drones a worrying trend and a sign of evolving terrorist tactics troops of FOB Kangar successfully held the line.

Some soldiers and CJTF members sustained injuries from the initial drone and mortar strikes, but Zagazola gathered that they were promptly evacuated using MNJTF air platforms for medical attention.

Sources added that all the wounded personnel are in stable condition.

n the larger context, Mallamfatori and the Lake Chad islands remain one of the most fiercely contested spaces in the ongoing fight against terrorism. Control of the waterways is critical to cutting off insurgent logistics, arms supply routes and cross-border movement.

However, the response by troops and multinational partners equally demonstrates that the days of unchallenged freedom of movement for terrorists around the border axis are steadily closing. As one soldier told said shortly after the assault:

“We are here to hold this ground. No retreat.”

Zagazola reports that operations are ongoing in the general area, with ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) platforms maintaining aerial dominance to track residual threats.
End