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India-bound drug trafficker bags 25 years imprisonment

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India-bound drug trafficker bags 25 years imprisonment

By: Michael Mike

A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Freeman Charles Ogbonna, to 25 years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

Ogbonna was sentenced three months after vomiting and excreting 80 wraps of cocaine following his arrest by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He was arrested on Sunday 31st March while attempting to board his flight to Delhi, India via Doha on Qatar Airways, with a Liberian international passport, bearing the name: Carr Bismark. He was taken for body scan, which tested positive for ingestion of illicit drugs.

Preliminary checks revealed his real identity as Freeman Charles Ogbonna and was subsequently placed under observation in NDLEA custody where he started to manifest signs of discomfort. Obviously choked by the volume of illicit drugs in his stomach and another substance taken to hold back excretion, the suspect soon began to retch before starting to vomit and excrete wraps of cocaine he ingested almost simultaneously.

The suspect who claimed he was recruited into drug trafficking by one of his relatives eventually passed out a total of 80 wraps of cocaine weighing 889 grams through his mouth and anus over a period of four days.

Ogbonna said he was given the drugs to swallow at a hotel in Ipodo area of Ikeja with a promise to reward him with N300,000 cash if he successfully delivers the consignment in India.

He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Dipeolu Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos in charge number FHCL/378/2024 for committing an offence contrary to section 20(1)(b) and punishable under section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 LFN 2004.

Delivering his judgement on the case on Monday, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Ogbonna to 25 years in prison without an option of fine.

Reacting to the outcome of the case, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the MMIA Command and the prosecution team for a fast and diligent handling of the case, adding that the judiciary remains a strong pillar in the coordinated and concerted effort to curb the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

He said Ogbonna’s conviction will further send a strong signal to his ilk that there will be no hiding place for drug barons and their mules.

India-bound drug trafficker bags 25 years imprisonment

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Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno

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Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier during a routine security operation in Kurnari area of Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola that the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Prilla Bulama Ali, was arrested on April 24 at about 4:25 p.m. following credible intelligence and a three-week surveillance operation.

The suspect was intercepted at a checkpoint mounted by troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion in collaboration with local vigilantes.

According to the source, the suspect was found in possession of a tricycle loaded with petrol, alongside mobile phones, a power bank, a debit card, a national identity card, a cutlass, and other suspected incriminating items including charms.

The source said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect was heading towards Helmajibir general area in Biu Local Government Area when he was apprehended.

He added that the suspect and recovered items are currently in military custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The military sources said that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics networks and deny insurgents access to supplies and local collaborators in the North-East theatre of operations.

Military authorities assured that operations under Operation Hadin Kai would continue to intensify pressure on terrorist elements until normalcy is fully restored in the region.

Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno

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Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto

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Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected terrorist during a firefight in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on April 23 when troops of 8 Division Garrison, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Marnona, responded to intelligence on terrorist activities at Illela village.

The sources said the troops made contact with the assailants and engaged them in a gun battle.

“Following the exchange of fire, one terrorist was neutralised, while others fled the scene,” the sources said.

They added that a vigilante member who supported the operation sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and was evacuated for medical attention.

According to the sources, troops have continued to dominate the general area to forestall further terrorist activities.

Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto

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Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi

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Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested two suspected terrorists during a routine patrol in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Security sources told Zagazola that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on April 22 by troops of 12 Brigade deployed at Dankolo.

The sources said the troops intercepted the suspects while on patrol along the Adankolo–Adankolo road.

According to the sources, the suspects claimed they were invited to the area for cattle rearing and provided a phone number of a civilian contact, which could not be reached.

Items recovered from the suspects include one mobile phone, two mobile phone batteries, charms, and the sum of ₦1,500.

The sources added that the suspects and recovered items are currently in the custody of 12 Mechanised Infantry Regiment for further investigation and necessary action.

They noted that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and prevent criminal activities in the area.

Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi

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