Crime
NDLEA intercepts cocaine, meth going to Vietnam, Brazil, Italy
NDLEA intercepts cocaine, meth going to Vietnam, Brazil, Italy
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a businessman, Molokwu Nwachukwu at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for concealing 36 parcels of cocaine in different parts of his check-in bags, hand luggage and two pairs of slippers, while heading to Southeast Asia.
Molokwu who is a frequent traveler to China, Dubai, Pakistan, and Vietnam was arrested at the screening point of the MMIA Terminal 2 while attempting to board a flight to Vietnam last Wednesday.
Babafemi said a total of 36 parcels of whitish powdery substance that tested positive to cocaine with a gross weight of a kilogramme were recovered from the handles of his bags and soles of two pairs of slippers in his luggage.
The suspect claims he travels frequently to China, Dubai, Pakistan and Vietnam, from where he imports baby wears he distributes from his Onitsha, Anambra state base.
NDLEA operatives, also at the Lagos airport have thwarted attempt by a suspect, Chimezie Nwafor to export 2.1 kilogrammes of methamphetamine to Brazil.
According to Babafemi, a follow up operations led to the arrest of three more suspects linked to the consignment at Oyingbo market, Yaba, Lagos. They include: Ifeanyi Onu; Simon Nwuzor and Omini Peter, noting that the meth consignment was molded into 25 bars of local black soap called Dudu Osun and packaged in a carton for export to Brazil.
A similar attempt to export a cocaine consignment consisting of 300 grammes of raw cocaine and 200 grammes of phenacetin, a chemical agent used to adulterate and increase the volume of cocaine, concealed in packs of air freshener, going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, was also foiled by NDLEA operatives attached to the SAHCO export shed at the Lagos airport on last Monday. A suspect, Onyeze Obiora has already been arrested in connection with the seizure.
Another bid by an intending passenger to Reggio, Italy, Osasere MacDonald, to export 500grams of tramadol 225mg concealed inside a carton of indomie noodles last Tuesday was equally frustrated by vigilant officers who seized the drugs and arrested him.
He said on the same day, operatives of the Tincan Port command of the agency also intercepted 107 kilogrammes of cannabis Indica popularly known as Colorado hidden in a container bearing four used vehicles imported from Toronto, Canada, adding that few days later last Friday, Apapa Command of Customs Service was able to apprehend and hand over to NDLEA two suspects: Ademola Adekunle and Dayo Olatunji linked to the consignment.
In Edo, operatives last Friday intercepted in Auchi, Etsako West local government area, a DAF trailer marked ZUR 378 XJ (Kebbi) with 69 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 700 kilogrammes concealed under bags of fertiliser. While the bags of fertiliser were to be delivered in Funtua, Katsina state, the cannabis consignment was to be dropped in Kaduna, according to the spokesman who said both the driver of the truck, Babangida Mande and his assistant Mandir Abdullahi are already in custody. Another suspect, Ijarekhai Ogbewee was arrested last Thursday at Ishokha Quarters, Otuo, Owan East local government area, with 32 kilogrammes of the same substance.
A female drug dealer, Mrs. Kudirat Bello was nabbed in Igbesa area of Ogun state last Monday, with different quantities of methamphetamine, cannabis and rophynol along with N119,600 monetary exhibit.
In Delta, 96 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 82 kilogrammes concealed inside jumbo bags of cassava flour were recovered at Basket Market, Asaba, while a total of 164,750 pills of opioids mainly tramadol were seized from two suspects: Henry Abuchi and Daniel Ugwoke, in parts of Taraba state. No fewer than 45 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 23 kilogrammes were recovered along Okene – Abuja highway from Abubakar Muhammad, in a Toyota Hiace bus coming from Lagos and going to Maiduguri last Tuesday in Kogi state.
In Lagos, a total of 1,030.6 kilogrammes of cannabis were recovered from at least three suspects: Bolaji Adesina; Femi Ojo and Jamiu Useni during raid operations in Mushin area of the state.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commended the officers and men of MMIA, Tincan, Edo, Ogun, Delta, Taraba, Kogi, and Lagos Commands of the Agency for their vigilance and excellent working relationship with other security agencies in their areas of responsibility, however charged them and their colleagues across the country not to rest on their oars.
NDLEA intercepts cocaine, meth going to Vietnam, Brazil, Italy
Troops Rescue Two Abductees Near Gwoza, Borno
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 192 Battalion (Mechanised), in collaboration with personnel of the 26 Task Force Brigade, have rescued two abductees around the Kuranabasa axis of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the rescue operation was conducted at about 2:35 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2026.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the victims had been held captive at a suspected terrorist camp in Chikide, within the Mandara Mountains.
The two rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the officials of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Gwoza for further assistance and necessary action.
The rescue forms part of ongoing military efforts to locate and free people held captive by terrorist groups operating around the Mandara Mountains and other parts of the North-East.
Further investigations are expected to establish the circumstances of the abduction and determine whether other victims remain in captivity.
Troops Rescue Two Abductees Near Gwoza, Borno
ISWAP Fighter, Wife and Son Surrender to Troops in Borno
By Zagazola Makama
A member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army alongside his wife and son in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the fighter surrendered at about 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 16, 2026, to troops of the 202 Battalion ahead of the Bravo Kilo 16 location in Bama.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the fighter escaped from a terrorist enclave in Zarmari Village, around Bula Daloye in the same local government area.
He reportedly attributed his decision to surrender to internal conflicts within the terrorist group and logistical difficulties arising from ongoing military operations against the insurgents.
The troops recovered one pump-action gun, two cartridges and a mobile phone from the surrendered fighter.
The fighter, his wife and son, alongside the recovered items, are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
The development highlights the continued pressure on terrorist networks operating in the North-East, as military operations target their camps, logistics and freedom of movement.
Further screening is expected to establish the fighter’s operational background and provide additional intelligence on ISWAP activities in the area.
ISWAP Fighter, Wife and Son Surrender to Troops in Borno
Troops Rescue 27 Kidnap Victims, Including Six-Month-Old Baby, in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued 27 kidnapped victims, including a six-month-old infant, following a gun battle with suspected terrorists in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The operation was conducted by troops of the 17 Brigade under the Joint Task Force (North West) after receiving a distress call from residents of Gamji community at about 12:25 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2026, reporting the activities of suspected terrorists in the area.
Security sources said the troops immediately mobilised to the community but the suspected terrorists had fled into the surrounding bushes with their captives before the soldiers arrived.
The troops subsequently launched a pursuit through Gangare Village towards Kamba Village, where they made contact with the fleeing suspects at about 6:05 p.m.
The soldiers engaged the suspected terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the captives and flee in disarray into the surrounding bushes.
A subsequent search of the area led to the successful rescue of all 27 victims, comprising 15 males and 12 females, including the six-month-old infant.
The rescued victims were later handed over to the village head of Gamji, Alhaji Falalu Suleiman, following preliminary investigations.
The sources said no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation, while the casualty status of the suspected terrorists remained unconfirmed.
They added that troops had continued aggressive patrols across the general area to prevent further criminal activities, deny the suspected terrorists freedom of action and enhance the safety of residents.
The successful rescue underscores the importance of timely intelligence from local communities and rapid military response in ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other security threats in the North-West.
Troops Rescue 27 Kidnap Victims, Including Six-Month-Old Baby, in Katsina
Troops Rescue Two Abductees Near Gwoza, Borno
ISWAP Fighter, Wife and Son Surrender to Troops in Borno
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