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
Man O’ War personnel reports abduction of female colleague in Bayelsa
By: Zagazola Makama
A female member of the Man O’ War has been reportedly abducted by unknown persons in Bayelsa State, with efforts underway to trace and rescue her.
Security sources said the case was reported on April 3 at about 7:00 p.m. by Daniel Lucky Deinyefa, a Man O’ War personnel and indigene of Otuan community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the victim, identified as Peremene Bright, contacted her colleague on April 2, stating that she had been abducted by unknown persons since March 26.
The sources disclosed that her mobile phone signal was tracked to a location along the Abua/Ogbia road axis.
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the victim, as well as identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
Further updates are expected as investigations progress.
Man O’ War personnel reports abduction of female colleague in Bayelsa
Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram logistics convoy conveying 13 persons in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Bravo Company, 159 Battalion, have intercepted a suspected Boko Haram logistics convoy in Kanama area of Borno State.
Security sources said the interception occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on April 2 at a checkpoint while troops were conducting routine stop-and-search operations.
According to the sources, the troops stopped a Toyota pickup vehicle conveying 12 males and one female en route to Dekwa.
During a search of the vehicle, two adult males were found to have sustained gunshot wounds.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the injured suspects were members of a terrorist logistics support network who had reportedly been ambushed earlier by troops on April 1 along the Usmadi axis while transporting supplies to a terrorist camp in Dekwa.
The sources added that eight torchlight mobile phones were recovered from the suspects for further investigation.
All suspects and the vehicle are currently in custody and will be handed over to Headquarters for further action.
Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram logistics convoy conveying 13 persons in Borno
Troops, CJTF arrest three suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 29 Task Force Brigade, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested three suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers at Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the suspects, identified as Abdul Kolo, Modu Masa and Atom Baaji, were apprehended at about 3:00 p.m. on April 3 following credible human intelligence.
According to the sources, the suspects confessed during preliminary interrogation that the items in their possession were given to them by Boko Haram members to sell on their behalf.
Items recovered from the suspects include 20 goats, two mobile phones, a knife and the sum of ₦139,780.
The sources said the suspects and recovered items had been handed over to the Headquarters of 29 Task Force Brigade for further investigation and necessary action.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts under Operation Hadin Kai to dismantle terrorist logistics networks and disrupt supply chains sustaining insurgent activities in the North-East.
Troops, CJTF arrest three suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in Borno
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