Crime
5 drug kingpins bag 21 years imprisonment over Gabon, Australia-bond cocaine, opioids
5 drug kingpins bag 21 years imprisonment over Gabon, Australia-bond cocaine, opioids
By: Michael Mike
Five members of some international organized criminal groups (IOCG) recently arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with the seizure of 68.9 kilogrammes cocaine and tramadol at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos have been sentenced to combined 21 years imprisonment.
A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the trio of Olasupo Oladimeji; Muaezee Ogunbiyi; and Sola Adegoke who are leaders of one of the cartels were arrested following the seizure of 17.9 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms going to Sydney, Australia at the export shed of the MMIA Lagos on 26th August 2025.
He said in the course of investigation, 20.5 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from Ogunbiyi’s home in Lekki and a black Range Rover SUV marked RBC 459 EJ found in Adegoke’s residence in Ikeja GRA.
They were subsequently arraigned on five counts in charge number FHC/L/925C/2025 before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos on 30th October 2025, with the accused persons later pleading guilty to the charges against each of them.
Delivering his judgement on 31st October, Justice Kakaki sentenced each of them to five years imprisonment without the option of fine, bringing the total number of years in jail for the three of them to 15 years. The court further ordered that the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza Car seized from the convicts in the course of the investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Similarly, two kingpins of another syndicate: Obunike Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Chukwurah were arrested by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of 2.6 kilogrammes cocaine and 27.9 kilogrammes tramadol concealed in motor spare parts being taken to Gabon through the Lagos airport on 19th July 2025. At the end of investigation, the duo were charged and arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court Lagos on six counts in charge number FHC/L/980C.
Upon their arraignment last Tuesday, they both pleaded guilty and after a review of the facts of the case, the two defendants were convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment or payment of a fine of N2 million each in lieu of jail while the N4 million paid by Obunike to bribe NDLEA officers was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
5 drug kingpins bag 21 years imprisonment over Gabon, Australia-bond cocaine, opioids
Troops, hunters neutralise ISWAP terrorist in ambush operation in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 27 Task Force Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with local hunters, have neutralised a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist during an ambush operation in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the operation was part of ongoing efforts by troops and local security partners to dismantle terrorist networks and restrict their movements within the area.
The joint team reportedly laid an ambush on the suspected terrorists, leading to the neutralisation of one ISWAP fighter.
Troops, hunters neutralise ISWAP terrorist in ambush operation in Yobe
Troops Neutralise Suspected Fulani Bandits, Recover Four Motorcycles in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have neutralised a suspected Fulani terrorist during a gun battle with armed men riding motorcycles along Wanka Village in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the encounter occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, when troops of Sector 2 OPEP manning a blocking position along the Wanka axis sighted an unconfirmed number of suspected terrorists approaching on several motorcycles.
The troops immediately engaged the armed men with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
During the exchange, one of the suspected terrorists was neutralised, while the fleeing members of the group abandoned four Honda motorcycles and other items.
Items recovered from the scene included two mobile phones, one packet of cigarettes and seven tablets of Tramadol.
The recovered items have been taken into military custody and are undergoing investigation to establish possible links to the suspected criminal network.
The operation underscores the continued deployment of troops to strategic blocking positions and patrol routes to disrupt the movement of armed groups and prevent attacks on vulnerable communities in Plateau State.
Troops Neutralise Suspected Fulani Bandits, Recover Four Motorcycles in Plateau
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation IGBO DANU II, working alongside hybrid forces, have recovered an AK-47 rifle and discovered the corpse of a suspected bandit during operations inside the Old Oyo National Park.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops engaged suspected bandits at about 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, after sighting the armed group within the park.
The suspected bandits reportedly fled upon sighting the advancing troops.
During the encounter, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with registration number 14907, an empty magazine and a locally made Dane gun.
In a follow-up exploitation operation at about 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 8, the troops discovered the corpse of a suspected bandit and destroyed temporary shelters believed to have been used as hideouts by the group.
No further contact was made during the follow-up operation, while troops sustained exploitation efforts in the area.
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
Let Plateau breathe again: Governor Mutfwang confronts the painful truth about cattle rustling and violence
Nigerian military precision strikes neutralise 19 terrorists in Ngala, Borno
Troops, hunters neutralise ISWAP terrorist in ambush operation in Yobe
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
-
News3 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions5 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News2 years agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News3 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS3 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns3 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
