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 74 rustled livestock in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 17 Brigade, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and local vigilantes, have recovered 74 rustled livestock following an operation in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 6:50 p.m. on April 13 after troops received credible intelligence on terrorist activities in Matazu town.
According to the sources, the troops swiftly mobilised to the area, where they made contact with the suspected terrorists and engaged them in a firefight.
“The terrorists were overwhelmed by superior firepower and forced to withdraw from the area,” the sources said.
They added that troops subsequently exploited the general area and successfully recovered 74 rustled livestock.
The recovered animals were later handed over to personnel of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) for further necessary action.
Security agencies have continued operations in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further incidents.
Troops recover 74 rustled livestock in Katsina
Police officer arrested after fatal armed robbery at Kontagora filling station
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a serving Mobile Police officer in connection with an armed robbery incident that left a fuel attendant dead in Kontagora Local Government Area.
Sources said the incident occurred on April 15, 2026, at about 2:40 p.m., when a distress call was received reporting an armed robbery at Garun Mallam Filling Station, behind BCG Garage, Kontagora.
According to the sources, two armed suspects, one of whom was reportedly dressed in a mobile police uniform and operating on a motorcycle, stormed the filling station and demanded money from the fuel attendant after purchasing fuel.
When the attendant, identified as 20-year-old Jibrin Inuwa of Garun Mallam, resisted, one of the suspects shot him in the chest and fled with an undisclosed sum of money.
The victim was rushed to the General Hospital, Kontagora, where he was confirmed dead, and his body was later released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Following the attack, police patrol teams from ‘A’ Division Kontagora, led by the Divisional Police Officer, trailed the suspects to the Dadinkowa area behind a vigilante office, where they were engaged in a gun duel.
One of the suspects was eventually overpowered, shot in the leg, disarmed, and arrested.
The suspect was later identified as a serving Mobile Police officer, Insp. Jido Ahmed, attached to 61 PMF Kontagora but currently on special duty in Agwara.
He was taken to the General Hospital, Kontagora, and later referred to the Police Clinic in Minna for treatment.
An AK-47 rifle with number 38262 and 12 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered from him.
Sources from the command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the second fleeing suspect, while investigation into the case continues.
Police officer arrested after fatal armed robbery at Kontagora filling station
Troops rescue injured herder, foil attack by Berom Militia in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation OPEP have foiled an attack by Berom Militia and rescued an injured herder in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 12:22 p.m. on April 12 at Rasa village, where gunmen suspected to be Militia from Berom Community reportedly attacked a herder.
According to the sources, troops of Sector 4 OPEP deployed at Bisichi responded promptly to the distress call and forced the attackers to abandon their mission and flee.
They added that the troops rescued the victim, who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.
“The injured herder was evacuated to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention,” the sources said.
They noted that troops have intensified patrols in the area to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of residents.
Troops rescue injured herder, foil attack by Berom Militia in Plateau
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