Crime
India-bound drug trafficker bags 25 years imprisonment
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
Crime
FCT police arrest suspected ammunition courier for zamfara bandits
FCT police arrest suspected ammunition courier for zamfara bandits
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man suspected of attempting to procure ammunition for bandits operating in Zamfara State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Ahmed Abubakar, of Gusau, Zamfara State, and currently residing at Anguwan Dodo, Gwagwalada, was arrested on Dec. 7 at about 3:30 p.m. by operatives of the Mabushi Division following credible intelligence.
Sources said that the suspect had allegedly contacted a Nigerian Army personnel, Cpl. Yusuf Mohammed, to help him procure 1,000 rounds of ammunition, which he claimed were meant for bandits in Zamfara for a monetary reward.
During preliminary investigation, Abubakar reportedly confessed that he was acting on instructions from his uncle, Ahmed Yakubu, of the same address, who is currently at large. The uncle allegedly sent him to purchase the ammunition and transport it back to Zamfara for use by bandit groups within their locality.
The police recovered ₦170,100 from the suspect, believed to be part of the funds for the illicit transaction.
The Command said the suspect is currently in custody undergoing further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to track down his fleeing accomplice
FCT police arrest suspected ammunition courier for zamfara bandits
Crime
Retired DCP killed in Ngor-Okpala attack as police intensify search for abducted victims
Retired DCP killed in Ngor-Okpala attack as police intensify search for abducted victims
By: Zagazola Makama
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed that the victim of a gun attack along Portharcourt Road in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area has been identified as retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Kingsley Woke, aged 56.
Zagazola learnt that DCP Woke, who last served as DC Courses at the Police Staff College, Jos, was travelling from Portharcourt to Umuahia in Abia State when he was shot in the chest by armed hoodlums on Dec. 7 at about 11:00 p.m. near Amala Autonomous Community, after Zion Ministry Church.
The deceased, who hails from Omuowu, Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State, had his personal belongings secured at the police station and later released to his sister, Mrs. Hope, who confirmed his death.
Sources said tactical teams, in collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilantes, and hunters, have intensified operations to track down the perpetrators and locate other victims who were reportedly abducted during the same attack.
Authorities assured the public that every effort is being made to apprehend the attackers and ensure the safety of residents along the Ngor Okpala corridor.
Retired DCP killed in Ngor-Okpala attack as police intensify search for abducted victims
Crime
Army troops neutralise 11 terrorists, recover weapons in Sabon Birni ambush in Sokoto
Army troops neutralise 11 terrorists, recover weapons in Sabon Birni ambush in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 8 Division Nigerian Army, conducting Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have neutralised 11 terrorists during a precision ambush in Kurawa Village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Sources reliably informed Zagazola Makama that the operation was executed at about 0645 hours, on Sunday following credible human intelligence on the movement of a terrorist group attempting to cross towards Tara village in the same council area.
The coordinated strike was carried out by the 8 Division Garrison Strike Team leading to the successful interception of the terrorists along their crossing route.
According to the sources, the troops recovered eight AK-47 rifles after the encounter, while a follow-up exploitation operation to further clear the area is currently underway.
The ambush, described as “swift, surgical and professionally executed”, is one of the latest gains recorded under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the ongoing theatre-wide offensive aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks across Sokoto, Zamfara and neighbouring corridors.
Military authorities said more details would be provided after the ongoing exploitation and assessment of the battlefield.
Zagazola reports that 8 Division has in recent months intensified both kinetic and intelligence-driven operations, leading to the degradation of several criminal enclaves and improved security across the region.
End
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