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NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound 58kg cocaine, meth at Lagos, Abuja airports

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NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound 58kg cocaine, meth at Lagos, Abuja airports

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of illicit drugs
going to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Cyprus at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and some courier companies.

Among the drugs intercepted include cocaine, methamphetamine and its precursor chemical, ephedrine.

A press statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi also disclosed that at least three traders at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo area of Lagos State: Nwudele Basil; Chiedu Ezenwani and Donatus Nwojiji have been arrested in connection with attempts to export 52.1 kilogrammes of ephedrine, a precursor chemical and active ingredient for the production of methamphetamine, concealed in bunches of fishing threads and packed among other items in jumbo sacks that were intercepted at the SAHCO export shed of the Lagos airport on Sunday 31st January and Monday 1st February.

He said it took the painstaking efforts of NDLEA officers and deployment of sniffer dogs to be able to discover the complex mode of concealment of the illicit substance.

Babafemi also said at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, vigilant operatives of the agency last Monday intercepted a 29-year-old Apeh Kelvin while attempting to board Turkish airline flight TK0624 going through Istanbul to Cyprus, with 4.5 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in false bottoms of his travelling bag, with the suspect claiming he ran a boutique business in Enugu before he decided to travel to Cyprus for a degree in Business Administration.

The NDLEA Spokesman also said at three different courier firms in Lagos, operatives intercepted two cocaine consignments weighing 400 grammes each, going to United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. They were hidden in walls of cartons used for packaging. Two other consignments containing 500 grammes and 100 grammes of methamphetamine were also blocked from being shipped to New Zealand after they were discovered concealed in food items.

No fewer than 2,684,900 pills of tramadol and other pharmaceutical opioids were seized by operatives during interdiction operations in some states in the past week. In Adamawa, a total of 250,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 as well as 1800ml of codeine neatly concealed in the reserve fuel tank of a trailer from Onitsha, Anambra state were seized at Mubi and a dealer, Hussaini Ibrahim (a.k.a Bafu) arrested.

He also disclosed that a total of 279,000 pills of tramadol 200mg and 225mg were recovered from a suspect, Hammajan Suleman, along Okene-Abuja highway in Kogi, last Monday, 376 blocks of skunk weighing 229.36 kilogrammes and a Toyota Camry car used in conveying the consignment from Edo state enroute Kano by another suspect, Moses Alabi were handed over to NDLEA by a patrol team of the Nigerian Army, in Lokoja last Tuesday.

In the same vein, two suspects: Christian Nnachor, 23 and Chinonso Obiora, 20, arrested with 1,843,900 tablets of Diazepam and 300,000 pills of Exol-5 by soldiers along Abuja-Kaduna express road were transferred to the Kaduna State Command of NDLEA last Monday while Christopher Maduka, 43, was arrested with 10,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection by NDLEA operatives last Saturday along Abuja-Kaduna highway.

In Kano, Ahmed Suraj was nabbed with 89 bottles of codeine syrup in Badawa area of the state, while Amadu Musa and three others were arrested in Kofar Mata with 53 blocks of cannabis weighing 41.9 kilogrammes. In Niger state, a trans-border trafficker, Abdullahi Isah was arrested along Jebba-Mokwa highway with 188 blocks of skunk that weighed 107 kilogrammes, which he was attempting to take to Niger republic.

Babafemi also said 24 kilogrammes of Arizona variant of cannabis and 2,000 pills of opioids were recovered from Ibrahim Isiyaku along Nguru-Kano road in Yobe, with no fewer than four suspects: Usman Abubakar, a Chadian; Muhammad Ali; Ibrahim Yahaya and Babagana Abdullahi were arrested in connection with the seizure of 61.45 kilogrammes of cannabis and 22.1 kilogrammes of exol-5 in Jigawa with follow up operations in Kano. The consignments were ordered by Usman with a view to taking them to Chad.

Meanwhile, in his reaction to the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers, men and women of the MMIA, NAIA, DOGI, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, and Yobe commands for their commitment and vigilance.

He however urged them and their compatriots across the country to continue with the current working synergy with other security forces towards ridding Nigeria of the menace of illicit drugs.

NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound 58kg cocaine, meth at Lagos, Abuja airports

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Nigerian Military Intensifies Crackdown on Criminal Elements in Plateau State, Neutralizes Bandits, and Recovers Arms

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Nigerian Military Intensifies Crackdown on Criminal Elements in Plateau State, Neutralizes Bandits, and Recovers Arms

By; Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army’s 3 Division, in collaboration with Operation SAFE HAVEN, has achieved significant breakthroughs in countering criminal activities in an ongoing security operation aimed at restoring safety in Plateau State,

The intensified operations, conducted over several weeks, have led to arrests, the recovery of firearms, and the neutralization of several notorious criminal figures.

On October 23, security forces arrested two suspects believed to be masterminds of a foiled attack in Kazok Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State. Authorities recovered an AK-47 rifle, 96 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 46 cartridges from the suspects. The next day, on October 24, security agencies thwarted an armed robbery on Bot-Foreiyinte Road in Bokkos LGA, rescuing two victims and confiscating a fabricated rifle and ammunition.

In a further operation on October 26 in Garkawa, Mikang LGA, security forces dismantled a criminal syndicate, arresting four suspects and seizing a Beretta pistol, an AK-47 magazine, and 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Additionally, on October 31, security operatives acting on intelligence apprehended a female suspect in Bassa LGA who had been impersonating a soldier to intimidate residents. Authorities confiscated an automatic rifle, military uniforms, and other equipment from her.

On November 2, troops launched an intelligence-based raid in Luwaran Village, Jos North LGA, where the wife of a known bandit led them to an AK-47 rifle buried on the village outskirts.

The bandit narrowly escaped capture, but efforts are ongoing to apprehend him. In a dawn raid on November 3 in Kwatas District, Bokkos LGA, security forces arrested two suspected bandits linked to local security breaches, recovering a fabricated rifle capable of firing 7.62mm ammunition and additional rounds.

A major success was recorded on November 4 in Wase LGA, where security forces neutralized Kachalla Saleh, a notorious bandit kingpin known as “Mai Rasha,” during an operation in Kinishi Forest. Officials recovered 500,000 Naira believed to be part of a ransom collected by Saleh. On November 5, security forces foiled an armed robbery in Sanga LGA, Kaduna State, apprehending two suspects and recovering 130,000 Naira taken from victims.

In Zangon Kataf LGA on November 6, security agencies disrupted a kidnapping attempt, forcing the criminals to flee and abandoning a Magnum pump-action gun, an AK-47 magazine, and other fabricated weapons. Most recently, on November 11, security forces responded to kidnappers’ activity in Anguwan Kwata, Bokkos LGA, neutralizing one armed suspect after a confrontation.

Nigerian Military Intensifies Crackdown on Criminal Elements in Plateau State, Neutralizes Bandits, and Recovers Arms

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Troops Recover Stolen Cattle from Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists in Sokoto State

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Troops Recover Stolen Cattle from Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists in Sokoto State

By: Zagazola Makama

The troops from the Headquarters 1 Brigade and 1 Battalion mobilized to Kalgo village, Sokoto State, following sightings of suspected Lakurawa terrorists in the area.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that upon learning of the troops’ approach, the suspected terrorists fled the scene, abandoning 38 rustled cattle. The operation, led by the Commander of 1 Brigade, was carried out without incident.

The recovered livestock was returned to its rightful owners in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Sources disclosed confirmed that intensified operations are ongoing to secure the broader area and prevent further incursions by the armed group.

This recovery operation comes amid rising threat by the Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

On Tuesday November 11, some armed men believed to be from the Lakurawa group raided Kura village in Soron Yamma ward, Binji Local Government Area.

The attackers seized a large number of livestock but reportedly did not harm or abduct any villagers, according to local sources.

Troops Recover Stolen Cattle from Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists in Sokoto State

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Escaped Kidnap Victim Rescued by Troops in Zamfara State Shares Harrowing experience

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Escaped Kidnap Victim Rescued by Troops in Zamfara State Shares Harrowing experience

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have successfully rescued a kidnapped victim Salim Ishaq Umar, indigent of Gusau who escaped from a terrorist enclave in Munhaye Forest in Zamfara state after 47 days in captivity.

The escape reportedly occurred on the morning of November 12, after which the victim sought help from military personnel stationed nearby.

Following the rescue, the victim was transported to the CT 7 Headquarters in Tsafe, where military personnel conducted a preliminary debriefing.

Salim who shared the traumatic story of his abduction and captivity at the hands of armed kidnappers, revealed the brutal tactics used by criminal groups in Zamfara State. Umar recounted how he was abducted from his home on the night of August 8, 2024, when three armed men, one of whom wielded an AK-47 rifle, woke him from his sleep and took him into the bush.

During the attack, the assailants reportedly shot a security officer and confiscated Umar’s phone. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of 30 million naira and five motorcycles, which his family managed to pay.

However, despite meeting these demands, Umar was not released. After 47 days in captivity, the kidnappers raised their demands, requesting an additional 100 million naira and ten motorcycles.
Their leader allegedly threatened to kill him if his family did not comply. Facing the threat of death, Umar began to devise an escape On not released.

After 47 days in captivity, the kidnappers raised their demands, requesting an additional 100 million naira and ten motorcycles. Their leader allegedly threatened to kill him if his family did not comply. Facing the threat of death, Umar began to devise an escape plan. “On hearing that, I started to make up my mind to escape from them,” he explained.

Together with two other captives, he planned to flee, though, tragically, only he managed to escape. His two fellow captives were captured again on November 11, 2024, shortly after their escape attempt.

Umar revealed that he was subjected to harsh conditions, including limited access to food and water, and witnessed threats against his life if further ransom demands were not met. He was eventually transferred to a new location in the bush where he remained until he managed to escape. He made his way to the nearest military post, where troops took him into protective custody.

Escaped Kidnap Victim Rescued by Troops in Zamfara State Shares Harrowing experience

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