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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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Crime

Police arrest suspected foreign bandits in Benue

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Police arrest suspected foreign bandits in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

The Benue State Police Command has arrested two suspected foreign bandits in Jato-Aka area of the state.

Police sources said the suspects, identified as Franklin Penn, 32, and Ayong Louis, 33, were apprehended at about 6:00 a.m. on April 12 following credible intelligence.

According to the sources, the suspects, who claimed to be Cameroonian nationals, were found in possession of suspected criminal charms and foreign currency believed to be in French denomination.

The sources added that the suspects had no valid means of identification at the time of arrest.

They said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

The command assured that further developments would be communicated as investigations progress.

Police arrest suspected foreign bandits in Benue

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Crime

Suspected ISWAP member attempts suicide in custody in Borno

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Suspected ISWAP member attempts suicide in custody in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

A suspected member of ISWAP/JAS arrested in Ngamdu town, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, has reportedly attempted suicide while in custody.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m. on April 13, following the suspect’s earlier arrest on April 12 by troops of 154 Task Force Battalion.

According to the sources, the suspect attempted to take his life by strangulation while in detention, but was quickly overpowered and restrained by troops on duty.

They added that the suspect was evacuated to a Level 2 Field Hospital (L2FH), where he is currently receiving medical attention and responding to treatment.

The sources noted that security measures around the detainee have been reinforced, while investigations into the case continue.

Suspected ISWAP member attempts suicide in custody in Borno

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Crime

Troops uncover pipeline vandalisation, illegal crude oil storage in Delta

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Troops uncover pipeline vandalisation, illegal crude oil storage in Delta

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops under Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, have uncovered a case of pipeline vandalisation and illegal crude oil bunkering in Obazogbe community, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Security sources said the discovery was made at about 12:00 noon on April 12 along the NNPC/Pan Ocean pipeline following credible intelligence.

According to the sources, troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and a technical team from NNPC/Pan Ocean, mobilised to the location.

They added that the team discovered a tapping point on the pipeline as well as a dug-out storage facility containing stolen crude oil estimated at about 2,660 litres.

The sources further disclosed that the technical team repaired the vandalised section of the pipeline, while the recovered crude oil was handled in line with Operation Delta Safe directives.

They noted that efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend those behind the illegal activity.

Troops uncover pipeline vandalisation, illegal crude oil storage in Delta

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