NDLEA Takes Custody of 6.8 Tonnes of Canadian Loud Seized at Lagos Port, Vows Crackdown on Drug Syndicates

By:Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has formally taken custody of 6,778.5 kilogrammes (about 6.8 tonnes) of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, intercepted at the Apapa Port in Lagos in what authorities describe as one of Nigeria’s biggest anti-narcotics seizures in recent years.

The seizure, made during joint examinations of two shipping containers by operatives of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies, is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against transnational drug trafficking and a testament to growing inter-agency and international intelligence cooperation.

Speaking during the formal handover ceremony at Apapa Port on Wednesday, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by the Director of Seaport Operations, ACGN Ibinabo Archie-Abia, said the operation sends a strong warning to international drug cartels that Nigeria is closing its borders to illicit narcotics.

“Through two major seizures recorded on June 15 and June 24, 2026, we send a clear and unequivocal message that we are more determined than ever to dismantle organised criminal syndicates and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond our borders,” Marwa declared.

The seizure followed months of intelligence-driven investigations led by the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit, working closely with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Nigeria Customs Service.

According to Marwa, the traffickers employed sophisticated maritime routes spanning multiple continents in an attempt to evade law enforcement, but NDLEA operatives successfully tracked the consignments from Canada to Nigeria.

He explained that the first container, CAAU 7569127, departed Toronto on April 16, 2026, travelled by rail to Montreal before being loaded onto the vessel Ghallow Express. It was later trans-shipped at Tangier Med, Morocco, onto Spartel Trader, arriving at Tin Can Island Port before being moved through the Global Bonded Terminal and eventually to Apapa Port, where it was intercepted on June 10 during a joint examination.

The second container, HAMU 3246311, departed Montreal on May 1 aboard Africa Express, was later trans-shipped onto Algeciras Express, arrived at Tin Can Island Port on June 4 and was transferred to Apapa Port on June 22, where NDLEA officers were waiting.

Marwa stressed that the agency’s strategy goes beyond intercepting illicit consignments, warning that investigators would pursue the financiers and beneficiaries behind the trafficking networks.

“We recognise that the staggering profits generated by illicit drug trafficking continue to fuel crimes against humanity and against our nation despite the devastating toll they take on individuals, families and communities.

“Our work does not end with seizure. We are committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible, confiscating their criminal assets, and ensuring they derive no benefit whatsoever from their illegal enterprise,” he said.

The NDLEA boss also commended the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies for what he described as exemplary professionalism and collaboration.

“I commend, in the strongest terms, the dedication, professionalism and courage of the officers and men of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and all sister security agencies who refused to look away and allow these dangerous substances to flood our communities.

“This success was made possible by intelligence-sharing and operational synergy among all participating agencies. It is a powerful demonstration of what inter-agency collaboration, international cooperation and intelligence-driven operations can achieve in the fight against transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking,” he added.

The latest seizure represents another significant milestone in the NDLEA’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking under Marwa’s leadership, as the agency continues to strengthen partnerships with international law enforcement organisations and deploy intelligence-led operations to intercept illicit drugs before they enter Nigerian communities.

NDLEA Takes Custody of 6.8 Tonnes of Canadian Loud Seized at Lagos Port, Vows Crackdown on Drug Syndicates

Angwa Rukuba Killings: Court To Rule On Jurisdiction, As Suspects Remain In DSS Custody

By: Zagazola Makama

The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, on Wednesday, reserved ruling on a preliminary objection on jurisdiction filed by counsel to some suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), and standing trial for their roles in the Angwa Rukuba massacre of late March and early April of 2026.

At the resumed trial on Wednesday, the Plateau State Director of Civil Litigation, Sabo Longji, told the court that two of the defendants filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the the court’s jurisdiction, praying the court to strike out the case against them.

The prosecution, however, told the court presided over by Justice Gedeliah Fwomyon, that it filed a counter-affidavit dated June 29, 2026, which had been served on the defendants.

When the defence counsel, led by M. I. Shaba (SAN), M. I. Salihu and S.M Danlami, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the counter affidavit was filed out of time, the prosecution made a fresh application for extension of time, which the court granted.
The judge adjourned the matter to 2nd July 2026 to hear the motion, while the substantive matter was adjourned to 15th July, 2026.
The defendants are to remain in the custody of the DSS.

On Palm Sunday of 2026, a number of gunmen attacked Angwa Rukuba in Jos North LGA of the state, killing about 30 persons. Days later, the DSS arrested Adamu Isa Alhassan, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro.

The Plateau State government charged the four suspects alongside one Ado Ibrahim, said to be at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegally dealing in arms and ammunition.

Angwa Rukuba Killings: Court To Rule On Jurisdiction, As Suspects Remain In DSS Custody

Yobe Police rescue 4 kidnapped victims in Fika

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Yobe State Police Command has rescued four young female victims who were abducted in an attempted kidnapping incident in the Fika local government area of Yobe State.

This was contained in a press release issued and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ,SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said on 28th June, 2026, Fika Division received a distress call reporting that unidentified persons attacked and abducted four young females at Didim village.

According to the release, the victims are all females and minors; young persons were aged between 15 and 17 years.

He maintained that, upon receiving the report, police operatives attached to Kukar Gadu outstation, in collaboration with local vigilantes, swiftly mobilized and launched a rescue operation.

Therefore, reinforcement from the division was deployed, leading to the successful rescue of all four victims unhurt, and the victims were immediately taken to Kukar Gadu primary healthcare center for medical examination and necessary support before being reunited with their families.

Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the criminal syndicate responsible for the attack as the command intensifies its operations to bring them to justice.

The Yobe state commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin psc, mspsp, has directed sustained and intelligence led operations to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and made to face the full weight of the law. He reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

He urged the residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide the police with credible and timely information on suspicious persons, movements, or vehicles.

Yobe Police rescue 4 kidnapped victims in Fika