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
Troops recover additional weapon, ammunition after Kukareta attack in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered additional arms and ammunition during follow-up clearance operations after a recent terrorist attack on Kukareta in Yobe State.
Security sources said the troops conducted a sweep of the general area of contact at about 8:00 a.m. as part of ongoing exploitation operations aimed at tracking fleeing insurgents.
During the search, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with registration number 178910, one magazine and five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, believed to have been abandoned by the terrorists while escaping from the scene.
The sources said the recovered items had been secured, adding that no further enemy contact was made during the operation.
They added that troops would continue follow-up exploitation operations in the area, noting that the general security situation remains fluid but under control, with troops maintaining high morale and operational effectiveness.
Troops recover additional weapon, ammunition after Kukareta attack in Yobe
Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue victim in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 1 Division Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued a civilian in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred in the early hours of April 26 at about 3:00 a.m., when troops on night patrol at Sanga responded to reports of sporadic gunshots along Ungwan Mohammadu village road.
The sources said the troops swiftly moved to the scene and made contact with suspected kidnappers, engaging them in a firefight that forced the criminals to flee.
According to the sources, one civilian who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident was rescued by the troops.
The victim was immediately evacuated to Confidence Hospital in Fadan Karshi for medical attention and is currently receiving treatment.
The sources added that troops have intensified patrols and are conducting follow-up operations to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks in the area.
Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue victim in Kaduna
Troops arrest 10 suspects in Benue offensive operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested 10 suspected terrorists during an offensive operation in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the operation was carried out in the early hours of April 25 at about 12:01 a.m. by troops deployed at Kyado.
The sources said the troops conducted a targeted offensive on a suspected terrorist enclave in the area, leading to the arrest of the 10 suspects.
According to the sources, the suspects were apprehended without incident and are currently in military custody for further investigation.
They added that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and restore security in parts of Benue State.
The sources assured that troops will continue sustained offensive actions to rid the area of criminal elements and ensure the safety of residents.
Troops arrest 10 suspects in Benue offensive operation
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