Crime

Alleged Criminal Activities and Arrest of Bashir Hadejia

Published

4 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

Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash

Published

2 days ago

December 26, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has gotten for drug kingpins arrested in connection with the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022.

They were convicted by a Federal High Court, Lagos presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro who sentenced them to various jail terms totaling 28 years with hard labour.

The convicts: Soji Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts in charge number: FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022, while the trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday arraigned along with them is still ongoing in court.

The charges border on conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organisation (DTO); management and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine, among others.

A press statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi read: operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation on Sunday 18th September, 2022 raided a house located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, Lagos where the over 2.1 tons of cocaine were seized, the largest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations.

He added that the drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September, 2022.

Babafemi said after over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge handed the Jamaican, Kelvin Smith four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Soji Oke got five years with hard labour and Wasiu Akinade three years with hard labour.

He disclosed that the trial judge however gave the convicts varying options of fine with the exception of one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine.

Babafemi said they were also to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Emmanuel Chukwu; $50,000:00 belonging to Chukwu; N55,099,509.50 also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9,003,168.06 belonging to Wasiu Akinade and N3,052,295.20 also belonging to Akinade.

The spokesman said the agency also in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed before Justice Bogoro on 9th December 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel.

The trial judge said: “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55 kilogrammes (More Than Two Tons) Cocaine, an illicit substance similar to Heroin and LSD.

“That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1,
Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3 attached to this application reasonably believed to be bought with proceeds derived
from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this Motion.

“That an Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited House/Landed Property by the Applicant and the payment of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending all the officers and men of the agency involved in the extensive investigation and prosecution of members of the drug cartel, said the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they’ll not only go to jail but will equally lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments including all the properties and wealth acquired through the criminal trade.

Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash

Crime

Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunners in Plateau State

Published

1 week ago

December 20, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunners in Plateau State

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested two suspected gunrunners during a sting operation in Bokkos Town, Plateau State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, identified as Mr. Kenneth Mayas, 31, and Mr. Bulus Yilfo, 60, were apprehended at a hideout in White House Hotel on Friday while attempting to procure an AK-47 rifle for N1.45 million.

Both suspects hail from Forop District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
During the operation, troops recovered the cash sum of N1.45 million from the suspects, who are believed to be part of a larger criminal syndicate.

The sources said the arrested suspects and the recovered money are currently in custody for interrogation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunners in Plateau State

Crime

Illicit drugs: NDLEA strengthens airport operations as officers undergo advanced trainings

Published

1 week ago

December 20, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Illicit drugs: NDLEA strengthens airport operations as officers undergo advanced trainings

. Deploy new skills, tools across airports operations, Marwa charges officers

By: Michael Mike

Selected Commanders and officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have undergone series of trainings in Advance Passenger Information System (API) and Passenger Targeting/ Intelligence Gathering as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen NDLEA’s operational efficiency at the country’s major airports.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, which facilitated the trainings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and Abuja, the workshops were designed to enhance the capacity of the Agency’s Commands at Airports to target and intercept high-risk passengers, cargo and mail, to help combat illicit drug trafficking. They will also help to facilitate communication and coordination between countries of origin, transit and destination in order to destabilise illicit cross-border flows and criminal networks.

While the Commander of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Strategic Command of NDLEA, ACGN Usman Ali Wadar and his counterpart at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, CN Mohammed Ajiya participated in the six-day training in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 13 other officers drawn from the MMIA and NAIA Commands took part in the five-day training that held in Abuja. They are all expected to impact the knowledge and skills acquired during the sessions on their other colleagues.

The trainings were funded by the European Union, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States under the AIRCOP Airport Communication Project, implemented by the UNODC.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the facilitators: Ms. Fabienne Russel of UNODC and Anderson Leme Siqueira of Brazilian Customs Administration for taking their time to be in Abuja for the training after the engagement in Abidjan.

He equally praised the two NDLEA Commanders and other officers who participated in the Abijan and Abuja training sessions for their interest and commitment. He charged them to immediately reflect the new skills and tools in their operations across the international airports in the country.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Friday 20th December 2024 Illicit drugs: NDLEA strengthens airport operations as officers undergo advanced trainings
. Deploy new skills, tools across airports operations, Marwa charges officers

They will also help to facilitate communication and coordination between countries of origin, transit and destination in order to destabilise illicit cross-border flows and criminal networks.

Illicit drugs: NDLEA strengthens airport operations as officers undergo advanced trainings