Crime
Auto Parts Dealer, Businesswoman Arrested Over UK-bound Opioids, Cocaine
Auto Parts Dealer, Businesswoman Arrested Over UK-bound Opioids, Cocaine
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an Ibadan-based businesswoman, Mrs. Adewunmi Adebola and an auto parts dealer, Arinze Ora over attempts to export consignments of opioids and cocaine to London, United Kingdom and Congo Brazzaville respectively.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said officers of the anti-narcotics agency at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos had on Friday 6th September 2024 intercepted a cargo going to the United Kingdom, adding that a thorough search of the consignment revealed 924 bottles of codeine-based syrup weighing 135.7 kilogrammes and 5,250 tablets of rohypnol were hidden in cartons of foodstuffs.
Babafemi said the freight agent, Owojori Olanrewaju who presented the cargo for export was promptly arrested, with further investigation leading to the arrest of another suspect, Adewunmi Akeem , who claimed that his mother, 58-year-old Mrs. Adewunmi Adebola sent the consignment to him from Ibadan to deliver to the agent.
The spokesman said a follow up operation on Saturday 7th September led to the arrest of Mrs. Adewunmi in Ibadan where she deals in foodstuffs and cargo export.
In his statement, Owojori confessed that he has been working for Mrs. Adewunmi to export cargoes to the UK, adding that he was paid N2,411,000.00 for the job, while he was paid N2.1 million for a similar consignment handled for the businesswoman earlier.
In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the same export shed of the Lagos airport last Wednesday intercepted some cartons of auto spare parts and powder custard going to Congo Brazzaville on Ethiopian Airlines. A diligent search of the cargo led to the discovery of 300 grammes of cocaine concealed in the containers of checkers powder custard packed together with some auto parts.
Babafemi said a follow up operation led to the arrest of the sender of the consignment, Arinze Ora, who deals in auto parts at the Trade Fair Auto Parts Wing, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.
Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of NDLEA last Tuesday arrested two brothers: Ikechukwu Ikeabba and Ugochukwu Ikeabba who are alleged sponsors of drug traffickers who specialise in exporting drugs by ingestion to Vietnam.
The NDLEA spokesman said their arrest followed diligent investigation of an earlier arrest of an Onitsha-based businessman, Ibeanusi Nosike, who excreted 68 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.282 kilogrammes after 12 days of excretion observation after he was arrested at the local wing of the Lagos airport by NDLEA operatives.
Babafemi said the 36-year-old Ibeanusi was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, 8th August 2024 at the old domestic terminal of the Lagos airport while attempting to board the first flight out of Lagos to Abuja where he was scheduled to join a Qatar Airways flight to Vietnam at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 10am same day.
He said another Vietnam-bound businessman, 54-year-old Paul Mbadugha had been arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Abuja airport on Monday 12th August 2024 during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR 1432 to Hanoi, Vietnam via Doha after he tested positive to ingestion of cocaine. He noted that after four days under observation, Mbadugha egested a total of 88 wraps of the illicit drug with a gross weight of 1.71 kilogrammes.
He said at the time of the arrest of the two kingpins, the Ikeabba brothers, they were caught with 87 wraps of cocaine dummies used in training intending mules.
Babafemi said in Gombe state, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence last Saturday arrested three suspects: Auwal Abdullahi, Isah Rabiu and Abubakar Da’u along Bauchi-Gombe road while travelling in a DAF truck marked GME 552 ZU. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure 2,490,000 pills of tramadol concealed with bags of salt.
He said a suspect, Idris Adamu, 23, was arrested with 41.5 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa at Kachia town, Kaduna state last Tuesday while two suspects: Godiya Jikuk, 36, and Yusuf Umaru, 65, were nabbed at Isinbode -Ekiti, Ekiti state with a total of 73.6 kilogrammes cannabis last Wednesday.
In Bauchi state, no fewer than 208,920 pills of tramadol and diazepam were seized from a suspect, Chinedu Asadu, 35, last Thursday while 104 kilogrammes of cannabis was recovered from two suspects: Abba Abdullahi and Mustapha Yahaya along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway last Tuesday by operatives in Lagos state.
He added that not less than 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered by NDLEA operatives in two containers shipped from India during a joint examination of the containers with men of Customs Service and other security agencies at the Tincan port in Lagos last Tuesday, starting that the containers were part of those targeted by NDLEA for 100 percent examination.
Babafemi said with the same vigour, 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 among others in the past week.
While commending the officers and men of the Special Operations Unit, MMIA, Tincan, Lagos, Gombe, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Ekiti commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country are well appreciated.
He however urged them to continue to intensify ongoing drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
Auto Parts Dealer, Businesswoman Arrested Over UK-bound Opioids, Cocaine
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
Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men suspected to be members of a Berom militia have reportedly killed two Fulani women and a young boy in a fresh attack along the Mangu Road, near the NYSC orientation camp in Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were travelling in a commercial vehicle on Wednesday evening when they were stopped by the attackers, forced out of the car, and shot dead on the spot.
The incident is the latest in what residents describe as a disturbing and unprovoked pattern of targeted attacks against peaceful Fulani communities in parts of Plateau, particularly in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas.
Community sources lamented that such attacks have become recurrent but rarely attract public condemnation or decisive government response, unlike reprisal incidents that often dominate media headlines.
They accused the state authorities of selective silence and inaction, noting that despite the frequency of these killings, little effort has been made to arrest or prosecute the perpetrators, many of whom are reportedly well known in the affected communities.
A youth leader in the area, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said the persistent attacks were pushing the communities toward despair.
“We have lost count of our people killed in unprovoked assaults. Sadly, the moment there is a reprisal, that is when the world takes notice. The government must rise above bias and protect everyone equally,” he said.
Security sources confirmed increased tension in the area following the latest killings, warning that unless prompt measures are taken, reprisal attacks could further escalate the fragile security situation in the state.
The Government of the state and Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau
Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted 30 people during an attack on Zamfarawa village in Zugu District, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred on Oct. 7 at about 2:20 p.m., when a large number of bandits stormed the community, shooting sporadically to scare residents.
The hoodlums were said to have whisked away 30 villagers to an unknown destination.
Following the incident, security forces have intensified efforts to trace and rescue the abducted victims.
End
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