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Billionaire Drug Baron, Two Female Kingpins Nabbed in Global Anti-Narcotics Sting

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Billionaire Drug Baron, Two Female Kingpins Nabbed in Global Anti-Narcotics Sting

By: Michael Mike

A sweeping international anti-drug operation involving the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and security agencies across Europe has led to the dismantling of a vast transnational drug money laundering syndicate allegedly linked to hundreds of billions of naira in illicit proceeds.

The coordinated crackdown resulted in the arrest of an alleged billionaire drug baron, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland alongside two suspected female collaborators identified as 34-year-old Jecinta Ikechi and 28-year-old Blessing Amadi, arrested in Anambra and Delta states respectively.

The operation, described by the NDLEA as one of its most significant international financial crime breakthroughs, followed months of intelligence gathering and investigations spanning multiple jurisdictions, including Switzerland, France, Greece and Nigeria.

According to a statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said the syndicate operated an elaborate international network used to launder proceeds from narcotics trafficking and related financial crimes through shell companies, proxy accounts, cryptocurrency wallets and fronts spread across Europe and Nigeria.

Investigators said the suspects were apprehended during simultaneous operations carried out on April 28, 2026, by operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit working closely with the U.S. DEA Lagos Country Office and other foreign law enforcement partners.

Beyond the arrests, authorities disclosed that several high-value assets linked to the cartel have been identified and traced both within and outside Nigeria.

Among the properties already linked to the network are Jovi Hotel located at Isiayei Street, GRA Phase 1, Asaba; Jovi Hotel and Suites situated along Orikeze Road in Agbor, Delta State; and Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court, Mabushi, Abuja.

The NDLEA also confirmed that multiple bank accounts and cryptocurrency addresses allegedly used by the syndicate to conceal illicit funds running into hundreds of billions of naira have been identified and frozen as part of ongoing asset recovery measures.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.), said the successful operation underscored the agency’s expanding global intelligence and enforcement collaboration aimed at dismantling international narcotics and financial crime networks.

Marwa declared that the operation sends a strong warning to drug traffickers and criminal financiers that Nigeria will no longer serve as a safe haven for illicit drug proceeds.

“The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide,” he said.

He added that the agency’s achievements were built on “strategic partnership, unwavering integrity, and dedicated professionalism,” stressing that the NDLEA was determined to ensure that Nigeria neither becomes a refuge for drug traffickers nor a sanctuary for their criminal wealth.

The NDLEA boss also commended the support of the U.S. DEA and other international partners, noting that continued cooperation in intelligence sharing, tactical operations, evidence gathering and training has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s anti-narcotics enforcement capacity.

The latest breakthrough comes amid intensifying global efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks increasingly relying on cryptocurrency systems, cross-border financial channels and luxury real estate investments to conceal illicit proceeds.

Billionaire Drug Baron, Two Female Kingpins Nabbed in Global Anti-Narcotics Sting

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Tension in Mangu as Fulani Herdsmen Allege Attack by Security Forces After Gunmen Wound Two, Rustle 70 Cattle

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Tension in Mangu as Fulani Herdsmen Allege Attack by Security Forces After Gunmen Wound Two, Rustle 70 Cattle

By: Zagazola Makama

Tension has been reported along the Alohom–Sabon Gari axis of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following an attack in which two Fulani men reportedly sustained gunshot wounds, while more than 70 cattle belonging to a Fulani resident were allegedly rustled.

However, beyond the reported shooting and cattle rustling, what has raised further concern is an allegation by some Fulani residents who witnessed the incident that they were attacked by security personnel on armored vehicle and hilux.

According to an eyewitness, “When we first heard sporadic gunshots, we attempted to run away. We then noticed that they were our security personnel in black a Hilux vehicle. The vehicle quickly withdrew after firing two shots and later returned. We then saw an armoured vehicles. Some people told us to run, but I said no, believing they had come to protect us. Before we knew it, they opened fire on us, forcing us to scamper for safety.”

The allegation, which has yet to be independently verified, has added another layer of concern to an already sensitive security situation in the area, where residents continue alleged that they are being attacked by elements of the security personnel amidst the violence between farmers and herders clashes. While we saw them rustling all our cattle. The missing cattle were reportedly owned by Alhaji Yako, a Fulani resident of the area.

On two occasions, fulani leaders pointed accusing fingers at the personnel of Operation Rainbow who in collaboration with armed militia groups stormed fulani communities to dislodge them and rustle their livestock. In another leaked conversation, a councilor in Plateau was heard saying that “We now have our own security people who are helping us to clear the Fulani. So we dont even need soldiers, they should leave our land,”the councilor was heard saying in a leaked audio.

Tension in Mangu as Fulani Herdsmen Allege Attack by Security Forces After Gunmen Wound Two, Rustle 70 Cattle

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Army troops Arrests Arms Fabricator, Three Suspected Gunrunners, Recovers Weapons in Plateau

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Army troops Arrests Arms Fabricator, Three Suspected Gunrunners, Recovers Weapons in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested an alleged illegal arms fabricator and three suspected high-profile gunrunners during coordinated covert operations in Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation followed intelligence received by the Headquarters of OPEP on Oct. 4, indicating the activities of suspected illegal arms fabricators and gunrunners operating in the two local government areas.

Consequently, troops conducted coordinated covert operations between Oct. 7 and Oct. 11, targeting the suspected criminal networks and their operational locations.

During the operations, the troops arrested an alleged arms fabricator identified as Ayuba Sunday Abot, who was reportedly operating at Heipang in Barkin Ladi LGA.

Three other suspects identified as Tangkat Danjuma, Kopdi Appollos and Nyam Nzang were also arrested over their alleged involvement in illegal arms trafficking in Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs.

The operation led to the recovery of several weapons, ammunition and other items suspected to be connected with the alleged arms-trafficking activities.

Items recovered included one fabricated revolver rifle, one fabricated pistol, one fabricated AK-47 barrel and one AK-47 magazine.

The troops also recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm × 54mm rimmed ball ammunition and some materials described in the operational report as metaphysical items.

Preliminary interrogation of the suspects reportedly indicated that they purchased ammunition at ₦3,000 per round from a security agents.

Security sources said the suspects and all recovered items had been taken to the Headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace for further investigation.

The arrests form part of ongoing security efforts to dismantle illegal arms networks and disrupt the supply of weapons and ammunition to criminal elements operating in Plateau State.

Army troops Arrests Arms Fabricator, Three Suspected Gunrunners, Recovers Weapons in Plateau

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Four cows shot by Berom Militia in targeted attack Dorowa Babuje, Plateau

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Four cows shot by Berom Militia in targeted attack Dorowa Babuje, Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama
Four cows belonging to Alhaji Isa were reportedly shot dead by Berom militia at Dorowan Babuje in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, raising fresh concerns over the safety of livestock and property in the area.

The incident is expected to be investigated by security agencies to establish what happened and identify those responsible.

Residents and relevant stakeholders have been urged to support efforts to establish the facts surrounding the incident and provide useful information to the authorities.

Four cows shot by Berom Militia in targeted attack Dorowa Babuje, Plateau

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