Crime
NDLEA Smashes Major Drug Cartel…Arrests Leader in Village Mansion in Imo
NDLEA Smashes Major Drug Cartel
…Arrests Leader in Village Mansion in Imo
By: Michael Mike
A major drug cartel behind the production and distribution of deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’ has been smashed by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as the leader of the syndicate 42-year-old Chikaodi Mbonu is arrested with his associate in his mansion tucked in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Tuesday said the cartel with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state became a target of the NDLEA following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of substantial quantity of methamphetamine in South East, South South and other parts of the country.
Babafemi said after weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the agency last Friday, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges.
Babafemi while disclosing the exhibits recovered from the house to include: 419.99 grammes of methamphetamine; 750 grammes of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; 500 grammes of sodium bicarbonate, a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges, noted that the operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideout located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grammes of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grammes of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grammes of meth.
The spokesman said another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba local government area, Imo state, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items.
He said: “While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the federal government.”
Babafemi said Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings, adding that upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.
Meanwhile, while reacting to the successful taking down of the meth syndicate, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men involved in the multi-pronged operation, stating that the manner the interdiction was carried out should send a strong signal to other cartels that there’s no hiding place for them in any part of the country.
NDLEA Smashes Major Drug Cartel
…Arrests Leader in Village Mansion in Imo
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace repel terrorists’ attack in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have successfully repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Pinau community, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on March 26, when armed assailants attempted to strike the community.
Troops of Sector 2, in collaboration with local vigilante groups, engaged the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to flee.
“No casualties were recorded during the encounter, and troops are currently conducting thorough exploitation of the area to ensure the safety of residents,” a security source said.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace repel terrorists’ attack in Plateau
Troops in Edo arrest suspected kidnapper in Esako East LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 195 Battalion (Reserve) at Okpella have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Esako East LGA.
According to sources, the arrest took place at the Fertilizer general area at about 1830hrs on March 22, 2026.
The troops recovered one mobile phone from the suspect, who is currently in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The troops have assured residents that intensified patrols and intelligence-led operations will continue to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.
Troops in Edo arrest suspected kidnapper in Esako East LGA
Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram fuel suppliers in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted a vehicle loaded with suspected logistics supplies for Boko Haram terrorists in Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out late on March 24 by troops of the 241 Battalion deployed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Jajimaji.
According to the sources, the troops, while on night patrol, intercepted two vehicles loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at a filling station located in Yusuf Abah in Yusufari.
“On sighting the troops, the vehicles attempted to flee the scene, prompting a pursuit by the soldiers. One Golf vehicle was successfully intercepted, while the second vehicle escaped,” the source said.
A search conducted on the intercepted vehicle revealed seven sacks filled with PMS, each containing about 77 litres.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Mohammed Idi, 25, and a motor boy, Mero Umra, 21, were arrested.
Also apprehended were the filling station manager, Hasan Liman, 50, and a security guard, Jibril Audu, 28.
Further search led to the recovery of a cash sum of N1.6 million suspected to be proceeds or funds linked to the illicit supply operation.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody pending further investigation.
The interception illustrates ongoing efforts by troops of Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt the logistics network sustaining insurgent activities in the North-East.
Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram fuel suppliers in Yobe
Troops arrest three suspected terrorists’ informants in Bassa, Plateau
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace repel terrorists’ attack in Plateau
Troops restore calm after clash at Iware market in Taraba
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
