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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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Police rescue 26 kidnapped victims in Niger during operations along Birnin-Gwari, Kagara, and Yauri axis

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Police rescue 26 kidnapped victims in Niger during operations along Birnin-Gwari, Kagara, and Yauri axis

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police has rescued 26 kidnapped victims, mostly women and children, during a sustained rescue operation across Maikujeri, Kagara, and Yauri axis following a tip-off. Police sources at the Command confirmed the development to Zagazola Makama on Tuesday.

The sources said that the victims had been abducted earlier in Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna State and were being transported by their captors towards the New-Bussa axis between July 4 and 5.

“On July 5, police patrol teams attached to Kagara Division intercepted and rescued multiple victims being moved along Maikujeri–Kagara Road towards Babanna.

Those rescued include: Tani Ali and her three children, Hajara Muhammad, Zainab Salihu and her minor child, Asabe Luka, all females from Munya and Rafi LGAs of Niger State, Zuwaira Ahmed from Basha village in Sardauna LGA, Taraba State, and her two daughters.

The sources added that on the same day, at about 9:30 p.m., another rescue operation led to the interception of a Toyota vehicle driven by one Yusuf Abdullahi of Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.

“Thirteen more kidnapped victims were rescued from the vehicle. The movement was being coordinated by one Salma Usman, who was meant to contact the receiver of the victims in Yauri, Kebbi State,” he said.

“The police recovered five mobile phones from the victims and took all rescued persons to Asamau Clinic for medical evaluation,”said the sources.

The police source confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and reunite all the victims with their families.
End

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Troops neutralise militia during clearance patrol in Plateau community

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Troops neutralise militia during clearance patrol in Plateau community

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 5, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have neutralised a suspected militia member during a clearance operation in Hokk community, Mushere West District of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place on July 3 at about 11:45 a.m., was part of a long-range patrol covering Tulus and Hokk communities along the Plateau–Nasarawa border.

The sources said that the troops came under attack from armed militias in Hokk but successfully repelled the assailants, killing one while others fled the scene.




As of the time of filing this report, troops have continued to dominate the general area with aggressive patrols to prevent further militia activity.

Troops neutralise militia during clearance patrol in Plateau community

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Security forces repel attack, reclaim villages in Bokkos LGA, Plateau

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Security forces repel attack, reclaim villages in Bokkos LGA, Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

A joint security operation has reclaimed several deserted villages in the Horop District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, following persistent attacks and occupation by suspected Fulani militias.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the clearance operation was launched after residents of Hokk and neighboring villages fled their homes, reporting that the attackers had taken over their communities and erected temporary shelters.

In response, a combined troops of the Nigerian Army, team of Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel were deployed to the area to restore order and secure the villages.

The troops, encountered strong resistance from the armed attackers. A fierce gun battle ensued, but the attackers were eventually overpowered and forced to retreat into nearby bushes.

During the operation, several makeshift huts erected by the militias were destroyed, and two motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing assailants were recovered.

Authorities say patrols and security presence in the area have been intensified to prevent further incursions and allow displaced villagers to safely return to their homes.

Security forces repel attack, reclaim villages in Bokkos LGA, Plateau

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