Crime
Convicted Drug Baron Forfeits VGC Mansion, Jeep to FG
Convicted Drug Baron Forfeits VGC Mansion, Jeep to FG
By: Michael Mike
A multi-million-naira mansion used as clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine by a convicted drug baron, Okenwa Nzewi, has been forfeited to the federal government.
The property is located at K-5A/2 Road 14, Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lekki area of Lagos used. The forfeiture followed a court ruling secured by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
Okenwa was arrested along with his associate, Sunny Ukah on 30th July 2022 and subsequently arraigned on four counts in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos. They both pleaded guilty on 17th July, 2023, while they were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment with an option of fine of N4 million and N3 million respectively in addition to community service for four and three weeks each.
Okenwa’s vehicle marked EKY 496 DJ was equally forfeited to the Federal Government.
The NDLEA To further deny him enjoyment of proceeds of crime, filing a civil forfeiture charge against the building used as clandestine laboratory at the Federal High Court Lagos which initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on 6th December before the final forfeiture on 7th December 2023.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Friday 15th December arrested a 75-year-old grandma, Mrs. Sekinat Soremekun for dealing in illicit drugs. At the time of her arrest in Oshodi area of Lagos, quantities of cannabis and litres of codeine syrup were recovered from her. She claimed her son, Segun who is now at large supplied her the illicit substances which she retailed.
In Imo, operatives on patrol along Owerri-Onitsha expressway last Thursday
intercepted a way-billed consignment containing cocaine weighing 2.287 kilogrammes . The shipment coming from Lagos was concealed in cellophane condoms, and heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A suspect, Isaac Okoh, 45, has already been arrested. No fewer than 10 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 100 kilogrammes were recovered from the ceiling of a dealer, Ibrahim Yahaya, 35, when his house was raided in the Tudun Kofa area of Lafia, Nasarawa State last Friday while he was also arrested.
At the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, over 1.5 million pills of tramadol 225mg and rohypnol were intercepted in a cargo going to South Africa by NDLEA operatives in collaboration with personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Two suspects: Bada Akorede, and Amusan Sharafadeen have so far been taken into custody in connection with the consignment, which consists: 1,050,000 pills of tramadol 225mg and 510,000 tablets of rohypnol.
At the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja, operatives last Friday intercepted a consignment of 1,496 bottles of codeine syrup at A.Y.A area of the city while a suspect, Ozioma Enoja, 31, was arrested in a follow up operation. Another consignment of 400 bottles of the same opioid coming from Port Harcourt, Rivers state was also seized along Abaji-Abuja highway on Saturday 16th December after which a suspect, Bala Ishaq was arrested during a follow up operation at Zuba motor park.
While 17 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 195.8 kilogrammes stored in a bush at Gbanke village, Orhionmwon LGA, Edo state were recovered by NDLEA operatives last Wednesday, anti-narcotic officers in Ogun state intercepted two suspects: Edun Olowokou and Tunde Elijah at Alamutu roundabout area of Abeokuta with bags of same psychoactive substance weighing 279kg.
In Borno state, NDLEA officers last Tuesday arrested Bukar Ali, 29, and Abacha Alhaji Fantami, 20, with 171 kilogrammes of cannabis at Ngamdu, Kaga local government area, while three suspects: Jamilu Haruna, 22; Mohammed Hassan, 23; and Aminu Umar, 50, were nabbed with 57 kilogrammes cannabis on last Wednesday at Tsafe checkpoint, Zamfara state, when they were on their way to Zurumi, a village known as bandits’ enclave.
At least four suspects: Ezekiel Monday Thompson, 56; Hezekiah Ime, 20; Nsikak Okon Jonah, 39; and Chidi Kalu, 44, were arrested with a total of 121 kilogrammes cannabis and 5.1 grammes of methamphetamine in parts of Cross River state on Monday 10th December.
The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign of the agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA advocacy lecture for students of St. Margaret High School, Ilesa, Osun; students of Federal Government Girls College, Shagamu, Ogun; students of Wesley Model Primary and Secondary School, Badagry, Lagos; students and staff of Government Junior Secondary School and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Yaryasa, Tudun Wada LGA, Kano state.
While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, FCT, Imo, Edo, Borno, Ogun, Zamfara, and Cross River Commands for the arrests and seizures of the past week, as well as those of the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for their diligent prosecution of cases in court, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to intensify the offensive action tempo against drug cartels as the yuletide season approaches while maintaining an equal balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.
Convicted Drug Baron Forfeits VGC Mansion, Jeep to FG
Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men suspected to be members of a Berom militia have reportedly killed two Fulani women and a young boy in a fresh attack along the Mangu Road, near the NYSC orientation camp in Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were travelling in a commercial vehicle on Wednesday evening when they were stopped by the attackers, forced out of the car, and shot dead on the spot.
The incident is the latest in what residents describe as a disturbing and unprovoked pattern of targeted attacks against peaceful Fulani communities in parts of Plateau, particularly in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas.
Community sources lamented that such attacks have become recurrent but rarely attract public condemnation or decisive government response, unlike reprisal incidents that often dominate media headlines.
They accused the state authorities of selective silence and inaction, noting that despite the frequency of these killings, little effort has been made to arrest or prosecute the perpetrators, many of whom are reportedly well known in the affected communities.
A youth leader in the area, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said the persistent attacks were pushing the communities toward despair.
“We have lost count of our people killed in unprovoked assaults. Sadly, the moment there is a reprisal, that is when the world takes notice. The government must rise above bias and protect everyone equally,” he said.
Security sources confirmed increased tension in the area following the latest killings, warning that unless prompt measures are taken, reprisal attacks could further escalate the fragile security situation in the state.
The Government of the state and Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau
Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted 30 people during an attack on Zamfarawa village in Zugu District, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred on Oct. 7 at about 2:20 p.m., when a large number of bandits stormed the community, shooting sporadically to scare residents.
The hoodlums were said to have whisked away 30 villagers to an unknown destination.
Following the incident, security forces have intensified efforts to trace and rescue the abducted victims.
End
Security forces rescue eight kidnapped passengers in Kogi, hunt for two others
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Kogi have rescued eight passengers who were abducted by gunmen along the Okene–Auchi highway on Monday.
Zagazola report that the incident occurred at about 3:48 p.m. when about 15 armed men dressed in military camouflage attacked a Toyota Hiace Hummer bus with registration number EDO UBJ 114 ZY belonging to Big Joe Ventures Ltd.
The bus, which was heading to Benin, Edo State, from Abuja, had 11 passengers on board.
During the attack, one female passenger identified as Adesuwat Bright was shot in the left shoulder, while other passengers were abducted.
Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised his men, including Police Mobile Force operatives and local vigilantes, to the scene.
The injured victim was rushed to CUSTECH Hospital, Okene, for treatment.
The combined security team later engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel inside the bush, forcing them to abandon eight of the victims, who were rescued unhurt.
However, the kidnappers escaped with two other passengers.
The police said a manhunt and bush combing operations are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the suspects.
Security forces rescue eight kidnapped passengers in Kogi, hunt for two others
Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau
Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis
NSCC Appoints Yilwatda Its Ambassador
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