Crime

Alleged Criminal Activities and Arrest of Bashir Hadejia

Published

11 months ago

August 15, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Alleged Criminal Activities and Arrest of Bashir Hadejia

By Zagazola Makama

Social media is replete with this disturbing trend, a report about a figure who allegedly is the sponsor of sponsors; a criminal and several accomplices that need to be put behind bars. Reports indicated an intelligence led mission was conducted and this very figure of questionable character was arrested within the FCT.

What prompted Zagazola Makama is that this particular subject has a lot to unravel about the top notch, the nitty gritty and the alpha on terrorism, proliferation of SALW, money laundry and so on and so forth. What we could find is not only incriminating but serious allegations of disturbing cannons.

Who is BASHIR in Hadejia

Bashir Hadejia, a high-profile individual with connections to influential figures, has been accused of various criminal activities, including treason, subversive activities, transnational crimes, and terrorism. According to unconfirmed reports, he was arrested by Nigerian police for allegedly smuggling large caches of weapons and gold, believed to have been stolen from the Central Bank of Libya. Hadejia is also accused of aiding terrorism and criminality in northern Nigeria, sponsoring protests and attacks, and blackmailing politicians and government officials.

During his interrogation, Hadejia allegedly confessed to sponsoring youths in protests, blackmailing officials, and attacking political party headquarters. He also claimed to have incriminating documents and an international passpor, according to the report via DConnectNews dconnectnews.com.ng/2024/08/break

Reports by Jackson Ude through X handle accuses the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, of ordering Bashir Hadejia’s abduction for leaking information to the media.

The report reads: NAVAL OFFICIALS ABDUCTS BASHIR HADEJIA AFTER POURING WHITE SUBSTANCE ON HIS FACE ON THE ORDERS OF MATAWALLE

Armed Naval officials on Monday evening, stormed the home of Bashir Hadejia, pouring some white substance suspected to be powdered teargas on his face, causing him to be unconscious and thereafter abducted him to an unknown destination on the orders of embattled Minister for State, Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle.

Hadejia was a former aide to Matawalle when he served as Governor of Zamfara state. informants told me Matawalle is accusing Hadejia of leaking information about him to me and the media.
Matawalle has been in the storm for aiding the escape of Yahaya Bello, the former Kogi State Governor, to Niger Republic, an allegation he has not personally denied.
The embattled Minister’s houses bought with proceeds from corruption were also exposed.
Again, Matawalle has not denied owning those properties either in Niger Republic, Abuja, Egypt, Turkey and Atlanta, the United States,”he said.

However, imply once again the accusation of the Minister of Defence Mohammed Bello Matawalle of ordering Hadejia’s abduction for leaking information to the media.

It is believed that Hadejia’s connections to influential individuals to influential individuals, including former Governor NSA Andrew Azazi and Minister of Defence Mohammed Bello Matawalle, raise questions about his involvement in criminal activities. His alleged involvement in smuggling gold and weapons, as well as his connections to terrorism and criminality, require further investigation.

The involvement of top government officials in this case means Hadejia could go scott free as to trail these ends means his accomplices should also be called in for questioning. Bello Turji, the notorious bandit kingpin in Zamfara indicated and made serious allegations on the Matawalle pointing out that the issue of insecurity plaguing the country had the full backing of the immediate past governor of Zamfara State and current Minister of State for Defence. He said that the failed Amnesty program supervised by the minister had led to the escalation of crises in the North West.

Turji alleged that some of the bandit leaders involved in the peace truce moved to the Sokoto metropolis after giving their arms to their boys kidnapping for ransom. He said the boys were making returns to their leaders living in Sokoto town.
He named some of them as Bashari Maniya, Kabiru, and Buhari
“Dan Maigari is the junior brother to Bashari Maniya; he has 150 guns, his hideout is in the Maradun riverine area, and he is responsible for attacks in the Maradun axis.

There is too much heat on this case from arms peddling, gold theft, sponsored atrocities and the complicity of government officials of diverse proportions. Further investigation is necessary to establish the facts and ensure that justice is served. To verify the accuracy of these reports, there is need for appropriate superior authority to investigate the allegations against Hadejia, and clarify the timeline of his alleged involvement in criminal activities.

As an Security Expert and Investigative Journalist, I had seen the worst of humanity – the dark lords who perpetrated evil, the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, and the gallant security operatives who paid the ultimate price for their bravery in defense of Nigeria.

But I refused to give up. I was driven by a passion for peace, a desire to see Nigeria return to a state of normalcy where children could play without fear of being kidnapped, where travelers could journey without fear of being ambushed.

I thought of the countless widows and fatherless children left behind by the senseless killings. The memories of their loved ones, cut down in their prime, fueled my determination to expose the truth and bring an end to the bloodshed.

The roads, once bustling with life, were now treacherous terrain, haunted by the ghosts of terrorism. But I knew that together, we could change the narrative. We could seek the right path, one that led to peace, stability, and a brighter future for all.

I took a deep breath, my resolve strengthened. I would continue to shine a light on the darkness, to tell the stories that needed to be told, and to advocate for a Nigeria where every child could grow up with hope and promise. The time for change was now.

I pushed for the truth and found that in places where conflict, mass killings, proliferation of arms and other criminalities thrive some form of gains, benefits or huge profits lay underneath for very few people in high places at the expense of the innocent communities. While the communities are either fighting one another or overrun by terrorists, a handful of their resources are taken away for profits by those benefiting from the chaos. Recently my attention was also drawn towards the presence of ZAMFARA GOLD in SAUDI ARABIA in the MIDDLE EAST. This pondered minds on the illegal conduit in which the gold was smuggled far off from the coffers of ZAMFARA State to the MIDDLE EAST. The recent video and third of its kind emerged on 18 Jul 24. The notorious bandit/terrorist leader BELLO MOHD TURJI, made heated statements accusing fingers at the former GOVERNOR and current Minister of State for DEFENCE, his Excellency Bello Mattawallen Maradun. Above all he was linked to sponsoring the terrorists in ZAMFARA State. TURJI also mentioned other names and this utterly sparked off many reactions due to the sensitivity of the issue. Previous week’s sermons at FRIDAY JUMAAT Worship Centers in SOKOTO State were replete with the statements claimed by TURJI. Notable clerics appear to open up vessels on what was kept silent over the years of killings, abductions, poverty and failed efforts to attain peace.

Already, a dialogue process in the NW is becoming a mirage. Findings revealed that some of the negotiations are in part to those working for people in high places. Apparently those smuggling gold to Saudi Arabia. Though TURJI is claiming the complicity of wealthy individuals, he appears not to be as a whole part of the recent negotiations. This could have triggered his utterances to reveal what could be termed the reason behind the attacks or terrorism in the NorthWest. Sources contacted by the investigative agency also made shocking revelations on some bandit kingpins sponsored for HAJJ/pilgrimage to SAUDI. Two were arrested on their return from Sokoto while another was released through a yet to be explained circumstances.

There is no smoke without fire as I continue to gain dossiers of revelations on sponsors of attacks within the region. The names being mentioned are top individuals in high places and increases the knowledge of how the Northwest remains in a state of unending violence by extremist groups. I poised and looked at the reports and was driven by the truth but not compelled to sit, fold my arms and stay put while thousands of innocent are daily killed. Even the video made by TURJI, now only echoes from a distance. Nothing has been done. The fear is that those sponsoring the terrorist are known with no one ready to point fingers in the right direction. The question is for how long will the danger and apprehension in the NW continue. The answer lies in the political will and justice of those who are complicit in sponsoring evil and spoiling the image of the Country. The Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMDI) should conduct detailed investigations into the ZAMFARA Gold in SAUDI ARABIA with a view to finding the smugglers, owners and further information on the transporters. The FGN should conduct detailed investigations on sponsors following the remarks by TURJI to confirm the veracity of his claims on sponsorship of terrorism in the north west geopolitical zone. please edit as touching story.

Alleged Criminal Activities and Arrest of Bashir Hadejia

Crime

NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron on the Run for 7 Years

Published

2 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron on the Run for 7 Years

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of a special operations unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted 60-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Okpara Chigozie, who had been on the run for seven years.

A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said Okpara was caught attempting to ship large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine to the Southeast and other parts of the country.

He disclosed that Okpara has been on the wanted list of NDLEA since 2019 and was eventually nabbed at his hideout at 72 Micheal Ojo Street, Isheri in Ojo area of Lagos state on Sunday 13th July 2025 following the interception of some of his consignments at 5:45am same day at Ilasamaja along Apapa-Oshodi expressway.

Babafemi said in the early morning operation, a team of NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence arrested one of Okpara’s couriers, 51-year-old Achebe Nnamdi while heading to Onitsha, Anambra state in a white Toyota Sienna vehicle.

He said the agency’s sniffer dogs were subsequently brought in to search the vehicle after which 7.6 kilogrammes of cocaine and 900 grammes of methamphetamine were found hidden in body compartments of the space bus, adding that a follow up operation was promptly carried out at Okpara’s hideout in Isheri where additional 1.8 kilogrammes cocaine and 1.3 kilogrammes methamphetamine were recovered from his residence.

Babafemi said at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos, NDLEA operatives in a joint operation with Aviation Security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) last Wednesday recovered 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from the luggage of an Italy-bound passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa. The suspect who was going to Italy via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight claimed he purchased the drugs himself, hoping to sell them in Italy at higher prices.

In another arrest at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives at the export shed last Thursday intercepted 17 parcels of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 1.7 kilogrammes concealed in packs of popular cereal, Golden Morn, going to Pakistan as part of a consolidated cargo. A suspect, Chioba Uchenna who presented the consignment for shipment was arrested.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Saturday raided Sarah Sam Hotels located at 115 Ogudu road in Kosofe where different party drugs are being distributed and sold. The raid followed credible intelligence and surveillance which confirmed a suspect Obayemi Oyetade as the arrowhead of the drug network.

Babafemi said at the time of the operation, 1.3 kilogrammes Chocolate Cannabis, 900 grammes of gummies and 22.9 grammes of skunk were recovered from Obayemi’s room in the hotel, which is a 20-room facility run as a family business, housing his mother and siblings. Other items recovered from the hotel include three vehicles.

He said three suspects: Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi and Emmanuel Madu were on Saturday arrested during an intelligence-led raid at Narayi High Cost area of Chikun local government area, Kaduna State, where 742.866 kilogrammes of skunk, and Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis were seized from them. In Kano, Lawan Rabiu was nabbed with 36,000 pills of tramadol along Danbatta-Kazaure road, last Wednesday.

He said while a total of 25,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from a suspect Aliyu Abubakar, at Gombe roundabout last Friday, the duo of Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were arrested same day with 49 blocks of compressed skunk that weighed 29 C180 at Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba local government area, Gombe state.

In Borno, NDLEA officers on patrol along Baga road, Maiduguri, on Saturday intercepted 74,360 pills of opioids in a Mercedes Benz C180 car marked GUB 409 AA and arrested Audu Modu, 44, in connection with the seizure, while in Bayelsa state, a 63-year-old grandma Akuna Nelson was last Thursday arrested at Osiri area of Yenagoa in connection with the seizure of 163 litres of skuchies.

He said four suspects: Ikechukwu Abugu, 42; Sunday Ani, 18; Chukwu Christian, 46; and Emmanuel Olisakwe, 55, were last Thursday arrested by NDLEA operatives along Okene-Lokoja highway, Kogi state in connection with the seizure of 2 kilogrammes methamphetamine recovered during a search of their vehicle coming from Onitsha, Anambra state to Minna, Niger state.

In Abia state, NDLEA officers last Monday raided the base of a notorious drug dealer, Nduka Obi, 39, at 4 Niger street, Ugwa road, Aba, where various quantities of tramadol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and a total of N736,000 monetary exhibit were recovered from him.

While a total of 45,000 pills of tramadol were seized from a suspect Chisom Okpalaeke, 30, by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Onitsha – Enugu expressway, Enugu state last Wednesday, officers of the Taraba state command of the agency same day apprehended the duo of Ngwokwoka Thomas, 44, and Mohammed Audu, 44 with 10,000 caps of tramadol and a gramme of cannabis at Dan Anacha, Gassol local government area.

The spokesman said the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued across the country in the past week.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Lagos, Kaduna, Osun, Bayelsa, Gombe, Borno, Abia, Kogi, Enugu, and Taraba commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron on the Run for 7 Years

Crime

Troops intensify operations against terrorists in North East, arrest logistics suppliers, recover weapons

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops intensify operations against terrorists in North East, arrest logistics suppliers, recover weapons

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with air components and local security stakeholders, have intensified clearance operations in the North East to deny Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists freedom of movement and access to logistics.

Zagazola Makama report that the sustained onslaughts across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States have led to the arrest of several logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons and explosive devices, and the neutralisation of insurgents in ambush operations.

In one of the recent breakthroughs, troops in conjunction with members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators at the Biu main market on July 10.

The suspects Isah Abdullahi, 45, and Abdullahi Mohammed, 35, both from Liya village in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, were intercepted while attempting to collect suspected terrorist-bound supplies delivered from Kano to the Biu Motor Park.

Items recovered from them included a sack containing 13 pairs of military desert boots, 20 high-wattage 9-volt batteries, and five pairs of slippers, all labeled with Isah’s phone number as the recipient.

Similarly, on July 13, troops acting on intelligence and working with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), arrested a 65-year-old logistics courier, Shaibu Bulama, at the Damasak Motor Park in Mobbar LGA.

Bulama, a native of Alagarno village in Yunusari LGA of Yobe State, was found with a white Toyota pickup truck. The vehicle contained two bags of rice, two cartons of pesticide sprayers, five gallons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and other assorted items hidden under the seats.

Meanwhile, in a targeted ambush on the same day, OPHK troops, alongside CJTF and local hunters, intercepted insurgents crossing between Ngoshe and Agapalwa in Gwoza LGA. One terrorist was neutralised while others fled, abandoning a bicycle and other supplies.

As part of the post-Operation Sand Fury exploitation in Malam Fatori general area, troops on July 13 discovered a partially buried corpse believed to be that of a terrorist. They also recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazine, and rounds of ammunition near an infiltration route used by insurgents along the fringes of Lake Chad.

In another key development, troops provided armed escort to over 3,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning to their ancestral homes in Darel-Jamel from Bama on July 13. The military says the secure return of the IDPs is a critical aspect of stabilisation efforts supported by the Borno State Government.

Also, on July 14, troops conducting farm patrols near Banki in Bama LGA were alerted by a local farmer who discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried in his field. A joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team successfully detonated the IEDs, which included mortar and artillery bombs already primed for detonation.

The same day, another IED was uncovered by troops in Molai, along the Maiduguri–Damboa Road axis. The EOD team detonated the device and recovered pressure plates and batteries suspected to be used for future attacks.

Elsewhere, acting on credible human intelligence, troops laid ambush near a terrorist crossing route in Tinush, a remote settlement in Kalabalge LGA. During the engagement, troops recovered 3 AK-47 magazines, 6 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 2 rocket-propelled grenade bombs, 57 rounds of PKM belted links, and a locally fabricated pistol.

In a related development, 16 family members of terrorists — including four adult females and 12 children — surrendered to troops in the Bama axis. Preliminary investigations indicated they fled from the Bakura Jega enclave, seeking safety from intensified military pressure.

In furtherance of logistics strangulation operations, troops on July 14 stormed Kudzum in Michika LGA of Adamawa State. During the raid, they recovered three motorcycles, 105 jerricans of PMS, and a tricycle believed to be part of the insurgents’ smuggling network.

A military source Zagazola that the combination of offensive clearance, ambush, counter-IED actions, and coordinated strangulation of terrorist logistics across the North East forms part of OPHK’s renewed strategy to degrade insurgent capabilities.

“These recent operations underscore the commitment of the Armed Forces to maintaining pressure on the terrorists and limiting their movement, logistics resupply, and capacity to threaten civilian populations,” the source said.

The military has assured residents of its determination to sustain the tempo of operations in synergy with state governments, community vigilantes, and international partners.

Troops intensify operations against terrorists in North East, arrest logistics suppliers, recover weapons

Crime

One killed, two injured in cutlass attack in Niger community

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

One killed, two injured in cutlass attack in Niger community

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police Command says it has launched an investigation into a brutal attack in Gidan-Mallam village, Mokwa Local Government Area, which left one person dead and two others critically injured.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama, that the incident occurred in the early hours of July 15 when unidentified assailants armed with cutlasses and sticks attacked three men Mohammed Maidaji, Abubakar Mani, and Mudasiru Halide along the Bokani-Madaji road.

Police sources said the victims sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital in Mokwa, where Halide, unfortunately, died while receiving treatment.

His remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.

One killed, two injured in cutlass attack in Niger community