Crime
NAPTIP Intercepts 13 Victims of Human Trafficking at Abuja Airport
NAPTIP Intercepts 13 Victims of Human Trafficking at Abuja Airport
… Seals Up Hotel in Abuja, Rescues 11 Underaged Victims of Sexual Exploitation
By: Michael Mike
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) with the support of Partners, has intercepted 13 girls suspected to be victims of human trafficking en route to Baghdad, Iraq for sexual and labour exploitation.
A statement by the spokesman of the agency, Vincent Adekoye on Tuesday read that the girls whose ages range between 19 and 39 years old were allegedly deceived and recruited by some faceless unregistered Labour Recruiters who are suspected to be agents of a larger criminal labour recruiting gang operating between Nigeria and some Middle East countries.
Adekoye said the victims were incepted at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly before departing for Iraq.
He said similarly, the operatives of the agency have sealed up a popular three star hotel located at the ever-busy Kwali, in Kwali area council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and rescued 11 underaged girls suspected of use for sexual expedition.
Adekoye said luck ran out of on the owner of the hotel as she was arrested while other supporting staff escaped, noting that the development came barely one month after operatives of NAPTIP burst a private apartment located inside one of the highbrow estates in the heart of Abuja and rescued nine pregnant girls suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
He stated that the interception of the Iraq-bound girls followed a tip-off by some concerned partners who noticed the unusual movement of some unknown faces at the departure lounge of the Abuja Airport in the company of some timidly looking girls all chorusing the same answer to different questions about their destination, and immediately alerted the agency.
Speaking on the incident, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, who witnessed the interception of the first batch of five girls at the Airport on her way out of Abuja for an official duty to Adamawa, expressed displeasure over the level of deceit by the traffickers and called on parents and guardian to always be careful of fake promises for their children and wards.
Shel said: “I wish to point out that our action is in line with the provision of the Trafficking in Persons (Control of Activities of Organisations and Centres) Regulations 2019, which empowers NAPTIP to issue clearance certificates to all travel agents or tour operators and intending travellers for the purpose of Educational excursions, Recruitment for Labour, Sporting activities, Cultural, music excursions or competitions as well as all organisations, shelters, and homes offering services for the purpose of rehabilitation of trafficked persons.
“The case at hand is pathetic because these girls were deceived and recruited for a supposed job in Baghdad by unlicensed labour recruiters who are not known to any constituted authority in Nigeria. This implies that should anything happen to these girls; we will not be able to hold anyone responsible because they are undocumented labourers.
Also, they were issued 60 days visa and yet signed a labour agreement of two years with them, noting that the implication of this is that as soon as the visa expires, they are at the mercy of the master and lose all legal rights to demand anything including their legitimate salary.
“Investigation revealed that they will be paid a sum of 250 dollars as monthly salary by their tax master out of which they will remit four months’ salary to the agent here in Nigeria and another huge sum to the agent in Iraq.
“From the testimonies of scores of victims who passed through the same condition, they were never paid regularly as expected, maybe four or five months only for the agreed contract period of two years. In fact, the major issue with their master is when they ask for their salary to be paid.
“It is painful that while unspecified numbers of victims are in those volatile and war-torn destination countries seeking help to be rescued, these are happily embarking on a journey to the unknown.
“We are seriously worried about the situation because some who were rescued recently came home with life-threatening medical conditions while others escaped with a life-threatening wound and everlasting scars inflicted on them by their masters.
“We cannot close our eyes and allow these ones to join the statistics of stranded victims who will are calling on social media for help. We are also on the lookout for the unscrupulous unregistered recruiters who are behind all these scenarios.
“While sincerely appreciating the Management of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport with particular reference to the airport manager and his security personnel, the officials of the various airlines and sister law enforcement agencies who provided one form of assistance or the other to us, I wish to sue for more cooperation to rescue these girls from the deceit of the mindless traffickers”, the Director General said.
NAPTIP Intercepts 13 Victims of Human Trafficking at Abuja Airport
Crime
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Burglars Attempting to Steal Chickens in Plateau
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Burglars Attempting to Steal Chickens in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have arrested two suspected burglars while allegedly attempting to break into a poultry house to steal chickens in Doi community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended at about 6:10 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, by troops deployed at Latya Guard Location.
The suspects were reportedly caught while attempting to gain entry into the poultry house with the intention of stealing chickens.
They were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police, B Division, Bukuru, for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Burglars Attempting to Steal Chickens in Plateau
Crime
Troops Arrest Herder Over Alleged Destruction of Farmland in Benue
Troops Arrest Herder Over Alleged Destruction of Farmland in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested a herder over alleged malicious grazing on farmland at Tse Tur, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect was arrested by troops deployed at Umbago at about 5:50 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2026.
The arrest followed reports of alleged unauthorised grazing on the farmland, which resulted in damage to crops.
The suspect remains in military custody for further action.
Troops Arrest Herder Over Alleged Destruction of Farmland in Benue
Crime
NDLEA Arrests Ugandan Woman with Cocaine Concealed in Private Parts, Uncovers Multi-Billion-Naira Drug Cartels
NDLEA Arrests Ugandan Woman with Cocaine Concealed in Private Parts, Uncovers Multi-Billion-Naira Drug Cartels
…Intercepts N900m opioid shipment, busts synthetic cannabis syndicate, uncovers drugs concealed in female headwear bound for UK, Australia
By: Michael Mike
A Ugandan woman who travelled to Nigeria with members of her church for a religious programme has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed around her pelvic region, in a sweeping crackdown by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that also exposed international drug trafficking networks and massive illicit drug consignments across several states.
The 34-year-old suspect, identified as Farida Nansubuga, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, last Tuesday while preparing to board a flight to Uganda with 87 wraps of cocaine strapped around her body beneath two layers of underwear.

Her arrest formed part of a series of operations in which the agency intercepted a shipment of 750,000 tablets of the highly potent opioid, Tapentadol, valued at about N900 million, dismantled a network importing chemicals for the production of synthetic cannabis and recovered hundreds of kilogrammes of illicit drugs destined for local and international markets.
According to a statement on Sunday by NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, Nansubuga arrived in Nigeria on October 29 with members of her church for a prayer programme at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.

While the other members of her delegation reportedly returned to Uganda after the religious engagement, she remained behind to collect a drug consignment allegedly arranged by an associate identified as Joy, who resides in Uganda.
The agency said preliminary investigations revealed that Joy had connected her to a Nigerian contact who arranged transportation to a hotel on the morning of her scheduled departure.
It was allegedly at the hotel that a man handed her the cocaine and instructed her to conceal it beneath her clothing to evade airport security.
She reportedly expected to receive at least $1,000 upon successfully delivering the drugs in Uganda, although no definite payment had been agreed.
Babafemi said her arrest followed a joint passenger-screening operation involving NDLEA operatives and aviation security personnel at Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport. A preliminary body search raised suspicion, prompting her transfer to a designated private search room, where the 87 wraps weighing 1.150 kilogrammes were recovered.

In another major interception at the airport, NDLEA operatives uncovered 750,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, weighing 526 kilogrammes and valued at N900 million, in a consignment imported from India.
The shipment, which arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Ahmedabad last Tuesday was declared as Paracetamol 500mg and packed in 11 cartons concealed within two wooden structures.
However, suspicious of the declaration, the agency placed the consignment under surveillance until November 6, when a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies exposed the deception.
Babafemi noted that the opioid tablets were discovered in 10 of the 11 cartons, while only the last carton contained paracetamol tablets allegedly used as cover for the illicit shipment.
The airport operations also exposed attempts to move cannabis and synthetic drug-manufacturing materials through international cargo channels.

The spokesman said last Wednesday, operatives intercepted 32 parcels of Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 16.15 kilogrammes, concealed inside two wooden sofas in a consolidated cargo from Houston, Texas, United States.
A freight agent, Ibrahim Abdulwaheed Adewale, who presented himself to clear the consignment, was arrested. A follow-up operation on November 6 led to the arrest of a 34-year-old Ibadan-based caterer, Adeoye Sarafa Ojo, who allegedly came to collect the package.
Ojo reportedly told investigators that he was acting on the instructions of a friend, Taiwo Anuoluwapo Olusegun.
Similarly, the agency uncovered an alleged international syndicate importing chemicals used in the production of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, from the United Kingdom.
The investigation followed the interception, on October 23, of nine parcels of illicit substances concealed in two cartons of snacks bearing the label “Michael Tea Guy” in a consolidated cargo arriving aboard an Air Peace flight from the UK.
Two of the parcels contained 1.2 kilogrammes of cannabis, while forensic analysis established that the remaining seven contained chemicals used in manufacturing synthetic cannabis.
A 51-year-old freight agent, Afolabi Wale, was arrested while attempting to clear the consignment.
Further investigations led operatives to two additional cartons shipped to the same recipient aboard an Allied Air flight. A sting operation conducted between October 26 and 28 resulted in the arrest of another 51-year-old suspect, Okwuite Benjamin Ojone, when he arrived to take delivery.
A search of the additional cartons uncovered three parcels weighing 3.30 kilogrammes concealed in detergent packs and 11 plastic bottles containing mainly liquid substances weighing 16.25 kilogrammes.
The seizures brought the total recovery from the operation to 1.20 kilogrammes of cannabis and 28.65 kilogrammes of chemicals suspected to be intended for synthetic cannabis production.
Beyond the airport interceptions, the NDLEA also uncovered several attempts to export illicit drugs through courier companies.
In Lagos, operatives last Tuesday intercepted 46 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.2 kilogrammes packed in two cartons and destined for the United Kingdom.
Earlier, on October 30, the agency intercepted 296 tablets of Swinol destined for Australia, alongside three separate shipments of tramadol intended for the UK.
The tramadol consignments included 20 capsules from Benin City and 96 capsules from Sapele, Delta State, concealed in vitamin C containers, as well as 600 tablets of Tramadol 225mg from Asaba hidden inside female headwear.
The latest discoveries underscored the increasingly elaborate concealment methods employed by trafficking networks, which exploit ordinary household items, clothing, food containers and international cargo channels to move illicit substances across borders.
The agency also recorded significant recoveries from domestic distribution networks.
In Lagos, a 32-year-old suspect, Abubakar Ali, was arrested on November 6 at Marine Beach, Apapa, after operatives discovered a drug storage facility built inside the sitting room of his apartment.
Items recovered included 1.06 kilogrammes of Tramadol 250mg, 1.27 kilogrammes of Tramadol 225mg, 400 grammes of pregabalin capsules, 355 grammes of diazepam, 200 millilitres of codeine and 6.07 kilogrammes of cannabis.
In Ondo State, operatives raided Odofin Road, Uso, last Friday recovering 148 bags of cannabis weighing 1,818 kilogrammes.
On the same day, officers raided a cannabis plantation in Board Forest, where they destroyed one hectare of the farm, recovered 242 kilogrammes of the substance and arrested a 36-year-old suspect, Itoro Linus Akpan.
In neighbouring Ekiti State, a 53-year-old man, Agbo Paul Peter, was arrested at Osin Forest, Osin-Ekiti, on November 5 with 216 kilogrammes of cannabis and cannabis seeds.
Edo State also recorded major interceptions, with operatives stopping a Golf saloon car carrying 19 bags of cannabis weighing 201 kilogrammes along the Auchi-Ibillo Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The driver, Abdulmumid Isah, 39, and a passenger, Danako Godwin, 25, were arrested.
Three other suspects were apprehended during a raid on a notorious drug joint along Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City, where quantities of Colorado, Loud and cannabis were recovered.
In Taraba State, three suspects were arrested within two days at the agency’s checkpoint in Lankaviri, Yorro Local Government Area, with 283 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 226.255 kilogrammes.
The arrests involved Ibrahim Abdullahi, 45, who was found with 156 blocks weighing 149.275 kilogrammes; Kabiru Usman, 25, with 80 blocks weighing 40.07 kilogrammes; and Babangida Babayo, 32, with 47 blocks weighing 36.91 kilogrammes.
In Enugu State, officers arrested a 57-year-old man, Celestine Ejiakor, at Eke Obinagu checkpoint last Tuesday with 44 blocks of cannabis weighing 22.5 kilogrammes.
Another operation at Ugwuoba checkpoint led to the arrest of Godwin Shaapera, 40, with 24,000 capsules of tramadol weighing 13.4 kilogrammes and 697 grammes of ketamine.
Delta State was not left out of the nationwide operations, as operatives arrested Edugua Othuke, 30, at Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, on October 31, recovering 10.54 kilogrammes of skunk, 9.4 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and 4.3 grammes of methamphetamine.
Another suspect, Akpofure Tobore, 34, was arrested last Wednesday at Upper Agbarho, Ughelli, with quantities of skunk, tramadol, Rohypnol and laughing gas.
Beyond enforcement, the agency said its commands continued public enlightenment campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, targeting schools, religious institutions, workplaces and communities.
Reacting to the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended personnel of the agency’s commands in Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Taraba and Enugu for the arrests and seizures.
Marwa described the Ugandan woman’s arrest as a disturbing illustration of how drug cartels exploit religious gatherings and international travel to recruit unsuspecting or financially vulnerable individuals as couriers.
He urged officers across the country to sustain the pressure on trafficking networks through intensified supply reduction operations and public awareness campaigns.
NDLEA Arrests Ugandan Woman with Cocaine Concealed in Private Parts, Uncovers Multi-Billion-Naira Drug Cartels
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