Crime

Cocaine, Tramadol Consignments in Vehicle Side Mirrors Intercepted at Lagos Airport

Published

2 months ago

August 3, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Cocaine, Tramadol Consignments in Vehicle Side Mirrors Intercepted at Lagos Airport

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of cocaine and tramadol 225mg concealed in 71 vehicle side mirrors being sent to Libreville, Gabon through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with not less than three suspects linked to the cargo already arrested in follow-up operations.

The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said the first batch of the consignment consisting 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.6 kilogrammes were intercepted in a cargo going to Gabon on Air Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday 19th July 2025, disclosing that a popular cargo agent Ihekweme Osinachi handling the shipment was immediately arrested, after which further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect Uzochukwu Chukwurah on Sunday 20th July.

Babafemi said 11 parcels of cocaine with a total weight of 1 kilogramme were later recovered from four additional side mirrors being prepared for export found in the home of Uzochukwu on Monday 21st July, bringing the total number of parcels of cocaine to 68 weighing 2.6 kilogrammes.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives last Friday arrested a businesswoman Mrs. Nwafor Nneka at her shop within the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos following the interception of 100 grammes of cocaine and 300 grammes of phenacetine, a cutting agent, concealed in ladies’ lipsticks going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, through the export shed of the Lagos airport on 10th July 2025.

Babafemi said two cargo agents linked to the shipment were earlier arrested before the eventual arrest of Nneka who runs the criminal trade as a family business with her husband Remigus Nwafor, currently on the run.

Nwafor, was said to have in her statement, admitted she bought the lipsticks used to conceal the illicit drugs while her husband handled the actual concealment.

In Abuja, the nation’s capital, NDLEA operatives conducting intelligence-led stop and search operations in Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa areas of the city last Wednesday arrested three dispatch riders: Sabo Sule, 24; Samuel Nnamdi, 28; and Idris Jibrin, 28, for distributing illicit substances around the city. A total of 149.8 grammes of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis were recovered from them, while two other suspects: Aliyu Abubakar, 25; and Adekunle Agbabiaka, 30, were arrested along Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1 kilogrammes skunk, a strain of cannabis, on Saturday.

In Lagos, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence on Saturday arrested Joseph Michael with 3.3 kilogrammes of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis in Mushin
while Ibrahim Sulaiman was nabbed in Iwaya area of Yaba with 16.5 litres of
skuchies on Friday.

No fewer than 100,000 pills of tramadol capsules were seized from a suspect, Hussein Yusuf, 37, at an NDLEA checkpoint along Vandeikya-Ogoja road in Benue state on Friday, while operatives in Edo state same day raided a warehouse in Ekpoma where a suspect William Alabi, 44, was arrested and 233.5 kilogrammes skunk recovered.

In Borno state, NDLEA operatives at the arrival hall of the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Maiduguri on Friday intercepted a consignment of 160 pills of tramadol concealed in footwears by a 38-year-old passenger, Umar Aminu who was promptly arrested.

While NDLEA operatives in Ogun state on Friday raided the Oja Odan area and arrested a female suspect, Yahaya Aminat, with 7, 218 pills of opioids mainly tramadol, their counterparts in Oyo state nabbed Oladeji Saka, 54, with 77.5 kilogrammes of skunk at Asanike, Ibadan, just as another suspect Benson Izah, 40, was arrested in Abraka, Delta state with 12.5 kilogrammes skunk, 1 kilogramme tramadol and 14.4 litres of codeine.

In Bayelsa state, NDLEA officers on Friday arrested 52-year-old Chief Emeka Opara and Onuoha Chidinma, 25, along Tantua road, Amassoma where a total of 41,705 tramadol capsules, among other assorted opioids were recovered from their shop and residence, while a suspect Bashir Gambo, 30, was nabbed at Yar Yasa town, Tudun Wada local government area, Kano state, with 61 kilogrammes skunk.

Two suspects: Kabiru Ayinde, 40; and Roqeeb Adekanmbi, 25, were last Monday arrested at Ile-Ogbo area of Iwo town, Osun state, where 90 kilogrammes skunk, 36.3 grammes of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus marked SMK 755 YF and ₦228,200.00 cash exhibit were recovered from them.

In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of the MMIA, MBIAM, FCT, Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Delta, Bayelsa, Benue, Kano and Osun commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the agency.

Cocaine, Tramadol Consignments in Vehicle Side Mirrors Intercepted at Lagos Airport

Crime

Bandit attack in Charanchi leaves elderly man dead, livestock stolen

Published

6 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Bandit attack in Charanchi leaves elderly man dead, livestock stolen

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected armed bandits on Wednesday night attacked Billire Village in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing an elderly man and rustling livestock.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred at about 10:52 p.m., when the bandits sneaked into the village. Police and military patrol teams, alongside community vigilantes, were promptly mobilized to the scene.

Authorities discovered that one Alhaji Sule Dan-Kado, 70, had been critically shot during the attack and later succumbed to his injuries at the General Hospital Charanchi. The bandits also made away with an unspecified number of livestock.

Security operatives have cordoned off the area, blocked all potential exit routes, and launched a search operation to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen properties.

Bandit attack in Charanchi leaves elderly man dead, livestock stolen

Crime

Teenager died in Borno farmer, harder clash

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Teenager died in Borno farmer, harder clash

By: Zagazola Makama

A 15-year-old boy has died during a clash between farmers and herders in Monguno Local Government Area of the state.

Sources confirm that at about 5:00 a.m. in Kawuram bush when some herders allegedly allowed their cattle to graze on farmlands belonging to residents of Abbari ward, Monguno.

According to sources, when the farmers attempted to drive the cattle away, the herders attacked them, inflicting fatal machete injuries on one Ali Goni, aged 15, and shooting another, Modu Suri, 25, with a bow and arrow.

A combined team of the military, police tactical units, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters visited the scene, evacuated the victims to the General Hospital in Monguno, where Goni was confirmed dead on arrival.

Suri, who sustained injuries, is currently receiving treatment and responding well, while the remains of Goni have been released to his family for burial in line with Islamic rites.

Teenager died in Borno farmer, harder clash

Crime

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.

Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.

They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”

“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.

“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.

However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.

Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau